FB / EK with 18 inch wheels

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:07 pm

Hi all,

Does anyone have any side on pictures of an FB or EK with 18 inch wheels on it that they can show me.
Just exploring my options.

Mal

Devilrod · Post by **Devilrod** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:15 pm

Nope! I'm a steel wheel and whitewall kinda guy.

18's may be a bit too big? Don't forget the wheel arches aren't that big, you may only need to go as big as 17's....

mrs ratbox · Post by **mrs ratbox** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:24 pm

i also have the steel wheel preference, but there was an FB for sale a while back it was in world cars and from VIC that had 18's on it, i quite liked it and unfortunately don't have the mag or photos
maybe someone from VIC knows it or has photos of it

Sammy · Post by **Sammy** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:15 pm

i know theres no guard on there but this is my fb ute when i tried my 17 x8's from the vz ute

it fits on alright but the problem is when you put it on full lock the inner rim his on the swaybar mounts on the hr crossmember, my guess is an 18 would be atleast a 7 or 8 inch wide so youd probably have the same problem.

having said that, if you can get a 18 in another stud pattern it might have a different offset and might work alright. I also have hq stub axles on that car for the brakes so that may play into it aswell.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:09 pm

Hey Sam,

I was told when I got my front end modified by Rods Racks that there is a problem with the rims / tyres hitting the sway bar mount when using the late model rims as they have no outside dish.
The 17 x 7's I tried on mine had a 4.5inch back space and they only just touched the sway bar mount, but that is able to be rectified by adjusting the lock stops. I was also contemplating 17's on the front and 18's on the back.
I too am running HQ brakes only using the P76 disc's.

Thanks for your input.

Mal

Harko · Post by **Harko** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:48 pm

Malcom there was a purple EK sedan up the road here that was running 15s and 18s simmons , looked good in motion but when on show they looked way to big on the back.
I think you could get away with it if you had the right style of rim and covered it up alot with the height of the guard ...

John Rappinettes gunmetal grey FC is running large diametre rims but I cant recall the size .possibly 17s

Mt opinion 17s look big on ek's and the front wheel arch diametre and shape doesnt suit real large rims.

My icon has 17s .

SRVLIVES · Post by **SRVLIVES** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:55 pm

Harko wrote:John Rappinettes gunmetal grey FC is running large diametre rims but I cant recall the size .possibly 17s

I'm sure they're 17's... man, that's a great photo

mrs ratbox · Post by **mrs ratbox** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:20 am

to me that's one thing that wrecks the looks of a modified car, THEY HAVE TO BE LOWERED! even a stocker looks kooler with a bit out of the springs, if i couldn't lower a car i wouldn't even bother with it

EK283 · Post by **EK283** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:58 am

I agree with RATBOX,
The ek looks superb lowered at the right height but too low with teeth shattering suspension is the pits. I prefer drop stubs and correctly set leaves to gain the stance. I am going old school 14 inch with 60 series tyres cause I love the large tyre filling the guard. Larger side wall tyres although not as direct in steering absorb a lot of road bumps as well. Low profile tyres are great for high speed cornering as long as the suspension is matching. You have to ask yourself are you building for looks, daily driving or just cruising? I have a very heavy group n racer and I am only allowed to run 6 inch rims with 60 series tyres. I can tell you now with the rear leaves and original front end I have achieved unbelievable corner speeds for the car. In my opinion its all about balance and proportion. Any way as long as the old girls still roll its better than nothing!
Greg

Harko · Post by **Harko** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:49 am

I hold a subscription to Custom Rodder so I like the look but as in all things it still has to look right , ie larger rear rubber and wheels that have goodd proportions to the arches and body .
Did anyone notice Lynchpins wagon runs low profile tyres on the rear only

proportions look right on

Devilrod · Post by **Devilrod** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:16 pm

Harko wrote:I hold a subscription to Custom Rodder

Thats gotta suck! Hope you get some consolation seeing as they have just called it quits!!!!!

smooth · Post by **smooth** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:47 pm

I've got to say my son just came back from the Summernats with a whole heap of photo's of earlies with stupidly large rims on them. I'm all for modifications that look sweet, but of about 50+ cars, only two looked in perspective and most looked like try hards with big stupid wheels just too keep up with a fashion trend.

Personally I like old school and the taller tyres and the period look as apposed to the my rims are rounder than yours look with elastic bands for tyres. That said, I'm also for individuality and getting the correct look (but that's the hard part) "if" you can get it right, your the trendsetter and a thousand others will follow by racing down to the shop and copying your rims sizes only to miss the mark completely. Thinking that bolting wheels on is all it takes.

It is a balancing act to get it right, wheel arches vs diameter, ride height vs comfort vs overall general appeal.

Malcolm is doing the right by researching before jumping head first into buying rims. I've got to say the only one shown on this thread so far that looks any good in my eyes for looks and stance is Harko's ute. The others look poofy and or out of place.

"Be careful it doesn't look like a set of wheels with a car on them, as apposed to a car with a set of wheels on it!"

Just my personal opinion. Each to their own - it would be a boring place if we all thought and did the same -

Regards, Smooth

yeprat1 · Post by **yeprat1** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:38 pm

well my opinion is ,if the morons at dragway wheels still made wheels to fit our model cars that didnt cost $700 a pop we would all be happy

Harko · Post by **Harko** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:11 pm

I know its my car and I agree but have a look at the height its sitting at , It needs airbags for sure to sit it right , If you can visualise har far the guard has to lift to give steering it like 4 or 5 inches , It would look totally stupid driving down the street .
17s are too large on the front if I can have my say , and Ive got 16s on the rear of the FC nomad which have the guard extended 1 inch , they look tough (

to me ) .
So in my opinion the max diameter would be 15 front 16 rear

I just believe these cars were made with rubber so they do need some .

smooth · Post by **smooth** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:45 am

Hmm, I'm thinking 15" with taller rubber. Rim choice is critical though.

Regards, Smooth