quote:Originally posted by 4NHOTROD:
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
Will, I think you are doing a great job.
My wheels have no spacers or long studs or anything. When I bought them from wilkinson I told him I was doing a GT5 conversion and he said he knew what I needed.
I was given options on the dish of the spokes and I told him what I wanted for that and and that was it, they fit perfect.
I think you have skipped one downfall that some people run into in that your car already had a alighnment on it. A local guy here had a GR4 done and when he rebuilt his suspension and had it aligned one of the front wheels hits the flare.
You are also smart to do it at ride height, another mistake that gets made is people not doing that.
I don't think it matters whether you order wheels first or not where you have a mock up wheel/spacer to use.
Flare mods at $70/hr? I thought Sam was working for pizza and beer!
From what I have been reading it looks like the GT5 conversion is a little easier than the GR4 as far as flares.
You guys keep up the great work I'm sure the car will be fantastic!
