18 inch wheels

[diddyman]

Sorry to drag up the perennial subject of 18 inch wheels...

I have the stadard factory fitted wheels on my 4.5, the "old" non spidery ones.

I want to get 18s but have found some quite nice "non TVR" wheels. So my question is, are the 18s 18 x 7, 7.5 or 8s, cos different manufacturers seem to offer a variety of 18s...

And what size tyres do I need?

General consensus is 225/235 35/40 at the front and 255 35/40 at the back...

It's doin' me 'ed in I tell ya!

Cheers in advance...

[PHØENIX]

I'd recommend (PCD-5x114.3):

18x8.5 - Offset 42 for the rear - Calliper Overhang: 2cm - 265x45
18x8 - Offset 35 for the front - Calliper Overhang: 3cm - 245x35

or

18x8 - 255x35 rear
18x8 - 245x35 front

[diddyman]

Cheers Ash

Do I need spacers with 18 x 8s?

[PHØENIX]

diddyman said:

Cheers Ash Do I need spacers with 18 x 8s?

If the offset is 35 or less for the front then you wont need spacers. But dont go too down on the front offset otherwise the tyre will rub against the arch.

The more positive offset, the more the wheels get pulled in towards the suspension housing, negative offset pulls them away from the suspension housing.

If you can get 35offset with the previously mentioned calliper overhang clearange for the front, then you'll be ok with 8J wheels.

On the rear, you can play a little, but try to keep the tyre tread centreline equal from front to rear.

42 offset for 8" rears will be fine - you can get away with 35 offset too, but you might need some camber to avoid tyres scraping the arches, but then again you might be ok, depending on tyre profile.

[PHØENIX]

Its always a good idea to get one to make sure you get calliper clearance, because the spoke design can be the buggering factor... try to avoid having to use spacers at all costs, because it will cost more in some cases, the lugs are not very long, and most aftermarket wheels have a thick mounting base. I used to always order one and try it on the hub without scratching it, wrap cling-film around the hub and lugs when mounting the wheel, just in case it doesnt fit right, so that you dont mark the wheels, the wheel companies can be real bastaaaards.