Skip to main content

Reply to "GR4 Conversion"

quote:
Will, you are well underway and waaay too late to turn back, but I heard that "conventional wisdom", whatever that is, advises fitting the new wheels to the car before fixing the flares. I've heard of a few cases where the flares ended up being either higher or lower than the owner thought they would be once the car was lowered onto its own suspension. Therefore the safest route is to install the wheels, lower the car, and fit the flares where they need to be based on the car at rest.

I can't give you any specific examples of cars that turned out weird, but I think I remember seeing some in PI many moons ago where the owner lamented the fact that the flares were perfectly located for the stock, higher-profile tires of the narrow body look, but if he had it to do over again he wished he would have installed the flares a little lower (or higher) to look "right" on the new rims.

I don't know if it will affect your car or not? I've also never done this myself (I admire your courage and think you'll have a fantastic looking car!) but pass on warnings that I've heard over the years..


I've heard that countless times now. I've also corresponded with no less than 3 people who ordered wheels before the flares and had them sent to a shop afterwards to have the backspacing changed ($$$$). I have no idea why anyone would order wheels first. As long as you have a circle mounted(same diameter as your future wheel/tire combo),proper flare mounting can be accomplished.
I made a 3" spacer and stud extentions so I could use my existing wheels to fit flares (fore, aft and upper placement)at correct ride height. The wheels I have now are within 1/2' in total diameter compared to the new ones. I used the existing wheels to center the flares. Once bonded, I raised the suspension to ride height and took measurements and ordered wheels with proper backspacing.
I can't count how many widebody cars have spacers and longer studs.Or the wheels are not positioned properly to the flare lip. I'll be damned if I'm going to send rims back for modifications ($$$), install new studs ($$$) and spacers ($$$) after spending $5000 on rims. Isn't that the whole idea of ordering "custom" rims? You order exactly what you need.
Doesn't make any sense to me at all to order wheels first, guessing at what they're suppose to be, then pay a body man to "adust" 4 flares at $70/hr when all I have to do is order wheels with proper backspacing afterwards.
But then again, everyone is telling me I'm doing it backwards...
We'll see.....
Will
Last edited by 4nhotrod
×
×
×
×