ok, i've been doing alot of thinking and alot of calculating lately because i'm looking at a new set of wheels that aren't available in an offset that is practical for our cars. now, i don't have my car at my home now so i don't have a way to look at it to see if this is even possible, but is there any way to shorten either the axles or the thickness of the wheel hub in order to increase the distance between the hub surface and the fenders' inner edges? (i assume shortening the axles would achieve nothing considering the suspension equipment would be useless at this point, but i can't really be sure because i can't see the suspension in my head, and the suspension is not independent of the axles). the only other way to accomplish lowering the offset would be to widen the fenders and cut out about 1" from the sheetmetal OEM fenders (unless the car isn't lowered, but mine is).

according to the 2gnt main page, the stock wheel offset is 46mm. i don't know if thats for the stock 14's or the stock 16's. if it's for the 16s then after calculating:

16x6" wheel = 152.4mm wide. wheel center is at 76.2mm
76.2mm - 46mm offset = 30.2mm hub to fender clearance, which is roughly 1.8"

the wheels i'm looking at are available in 19x8 at 38mm offset and 19x9 at 26mm. thats about 2.5" and 3.48" hub to fender clearance, respectively.

still with me...

so that means i either need to add between 0.7" (17.8mm) & 1.68" (42.7mm) to the width of the stock fenders (not cheap!) or remove the same amount of distance from the length of the stock axle or hub on each side of the car.

is this possible to achieve in a safely driveable manner? are any other dodge, chrysler, mitsu or eagle vehicles equipped with 5 bolt x 114.3mm hubs that are interchangeable with ours while also being thinner by at least an inch?

crazy question i know, and would probably take an expert to even comprehend, but i had to give it a shot.

Originally posted by cyan
and would probably take an expert to even comprehend, but i had to give it a shot.

LOL, 'me no understand wheel thing.'

Wow you are talking about an incredible amount of fabrication, b/c it wouldn't just be the axles, but all the suspension linkage too I'm thinking. would be cool if there were "flatter" hubs out there to use, but I doubt it. I would almost consider custom making those wheels given the route you are looking at now!

yeah well i want the lower offset because lower offset means wider wheel lip. they are 2-piece wheels with a polished lip. i dont want to spent $3400 on a new set of rims if the lip is only going to be a half-inch.

also, i assumed shortening the axles would be a no, but i kinda like the idea of deep wheels without a widebody kit...would make the car look sorta like a standard fender BMW with deep wheels. like one of the previous gen 7-series.

i wonder if you could remove the wheel hubs, take out the studs, machine the hub down an inch, reinstall the studs and still have a driveable car?

anyone?

BTW, does anyone know if any of the aftermarket big brake kits just happen to affect the wheel hub thickness? i seriously doubt it but i'm out of ideas.

I have an 18"x8" with a 40mm offset :shrug

stock fenders?

i have 19x8 with +42mm, thats about the same as your 18x8 +40mm
(2.34" and 2.42" respectively)

so apparently thats about as much clearance as we have with this car, because my rims are about 2mm away from the edges of my fenders.

does anyone know the maximum clearance we have on this car? i would measure it myself but i dont have the car. discounttire.com lists a 19x8 at +35 that will fit on our cars...thats 2.62" of clearance, which is more than i need to run at least one of the above wheels that i mentioned.

why not just flare the car? if you have a showcar, widebody kits will get you extra points. You could do what the muscle car guys do, and "minitub" the rear and then move the suspension inboard about 2" a side, cut out the stock wheel wells, move that piece towards the center, and fabricate a 2" strip of material to fill the new gap. Keeps the car looking stock. I don't think it would be feasible to do anything like that to the front, but you could definitely do it to the rear, where there is no axles or anything to make it all complicated.

I vote get the wheels and then a widebody kit.

Machining the Hubs after removing the studs would be a VERY bad Idea. It would weaken the mounting area by making it thinner. And to go the amount that you are looking at would completely remove the hub (outer) from the bearing section. Removeing metal from the rear of the hub/bearing assy. would in-effect do the same thing. There is only app. 1/2" there to begin with. Roll the fenders or cut and replace with wheel flares as in a widebody kit or have a damn good body man custom fabricate them but for Gods sake! DO NOT mess with the hubs themselves!!
As for moving suspension mounts around...some serious work and $$$.

yeah i havent taken a look at the hubs yet so i didnt think it was a feasable idea but i wasnt sure. the problem is finding a good body man...i may try to make something myself.

I don't know if this will help you out at all, but I have on a set of 18x8 rims +40 offset and 235/40 tires. They fit in the front, but rub in the rear w/ about 1.75" drop. When I first put on the suspension it dropped the car to the ground, much like yours and the fender well sat on top of my tires, front and rear. I had to raise the suspension, front and rear, and cut out part of the rear fender lip to make everything fit. I still need to cut out some in the rear because it still rubs a bit on hard corners or big dips in the road.

W/ Stock +35mm 17" wheels


w/ 18x8 +40mm 18" wheels w/ 2.25" lip

invest in some HUBCENTRIC wheel spacers bro, and roll the fenders. im slammed to the ground on 18's and they dont rub because of the altered offset. also gives the car a much fatter, more aggresive looking stance and increases lateral grip

why would I want wheel spacers when my wheels already stick way the fuck out???

Please explain that one.