Wheel Sources Needed

[B y r o n]

I have a '73 FJ40 in need of a little sprucing up. I've owned it since '76 so it has received a few changes over the years. It's got a 3" over stock lift via springs and has 33x12.5-15's running on 15x10 white wagon wheels. The brakes were in need so instead of a drum rebuild session I converted it over to Wilwood's on all 4 corners. After a few minor glitches the last one is a wheel/brake caliper interference. It seems the fronts cleared fine but the rear seems to need a 1/8" spacer or modify the caliper slightly. Before doing that I decided to look at wheel options which brings me to the problem, a lack of wheels with 3.5" backspacing.

I've found a few, and strangely enough bead locks seem to be easier to find but aren't always D.O.T. legal. I want to stay with the 33x12.5 tire size if I can. I don't mind going with a larger rim diameter although it's not the diameter that is causing my wheel/caliper rub it's the contour of the wheel at the hub. I'm trying to avoid the spacer even though I found a source for steel 1/8" spacers as they mean I'll need to replace the wheel studs to keep full lug nut engagement. 15x10 wheels seem to be the most common but when moving to 16, 17, or 18" wheels 10 wide becomes almost none existent not to mention no 3.5" backspacing.

With so many wheel manufactures out there and the fact they don't alway post everything they offer is why I need your help. If you know of a source for a wheel you think would fit my needs please point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

 

[cruiserpilot]

Since you're in So Cal, look at the new vendor list for wheels.

http://www.stealthcustomseries.com/

They have a 16" wheel that looks fantastic, and all the options for BS. Their wheels should clear all of the mods you're done. Once you get to 16" or larger most of the fitment issues go away.

Good luck, I've got a '73 FJ40 stripped down right now. I might be doing a wheel upgrade later. I currently run 15"x10" Eagle Alloys with 38.5"x14.5" TSL/SX's with SOA. They fit fine.

 

[B y r o n]

Since you're in So Cal, look at the new vendor list for wheels.

http://www.stealthcustomseries.com/

They have a 16" wheel that looks fantastic, and all the options for BS. Their wheels should clear all of the mods you're done. Once you get to 16" or larger most of the fitment issues go away.

Good luck, I've got a '73 FJ40 stripped down right now. I might be doing a wheel upgrade later. I currently run 15"x10" Eagle Alloys with 38.5"x14.5" TSL/SX's with SOA. They fit fine.

No luck on Stealth Custom as their rims are specifically designed for Tacoma's, FJ Cruisers, 4Runner's and first gen Tundra's and have too much backspacing.

Thanks anyway.

 

[B y r o n]

Well I gave it a good try. Since I can't seem to locate a wheel with the correct backspacing it looks like spacers are in the future for the old beast.

It also seems that when I find a wheel I like it is already out of production. A day late and dollar short.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Try Stockton Wheel Service. They have been around for about 125 years and can make you any custom setup you want. They make it all in house.

The PO of my LC had my 17x9 steelies made there and they powder coated to match the 40th's Sage Green.

 

[GeologistFelix]

Found you a variety, most with 3.25" backspacing, but they're also 15x8 except for the one with 3.5" BS, which is 15x10. FYI, Summit ships wheels for free, last I checked.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pcw-99-5183s3-5/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ale-887-58060/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pcw-98-5883r3-25/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aew-1864-5866/overview/

Any of those to your liking?

 

[B y r o n]

Thanks for the leads guys but still haven't found anything that reaches out and says "buy me" yet.

So I can keep things moving on the rest of my upgrades, I went out this afternoon and had a set of steel 1/8" spacers made so I can continue to use my existing wagon wheels. I picked up the 1/8" steel plate at a local shop I've used for year. They put me in contact with a water jet company and they cut the spacers for me. I went with steel so I didn't have to worry about aluminum breaking or smashing or the difference in thermal expansion and lugs loosening.

I'm still on the search for new wheels though.

 

[bkfj40]

On some 2 1/2" back spaced wheels I bought a while back, it was the dimple created from punching the D hole that caused issue. I ended up grinding the caliper some to relieve the interference. It isn't always the spacing, it might be the profile.

 

[B y r o n]

On some 2 1/2" back spaced wheels I bought a while back, it was the dimple created from punching the D hole that caused issue. I ended up grinding the caliper some to relieve the interference. It isn't always the spacing, it might be the profile.

That's one of the reasons I wanted new wheels. I figured it was the profile of the steel wheel and wanted to go mag wheel because they usually have more of a stand off at the mounting surface for better caliper clearance.

I'm going to run the 1/8" spacers until I can find the right wheels.

 

[GeologistFelix]

I found these alloys which look promising: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mtt-358411/overview/

The backspacing and center bore are definitely up to snuff.

Of course, they're 15x8, which I'm still not sure if you want.

 

[gregnash]

If you like the Mickey Thomspon Classic style wheel the look at the Eagle Alloy 186 series. They come in a variety of sizes but the 15" are the only ones that have the true 3.625" backspacing. I would go with maybe a 3.5" or 3.25" backspacing to try and help offset the increase in size.

I am with you in wanting 16" wheels for the better availability of rubber but like my stock FJ60 wagon wheels. I may contact Stockton Wheel in the future to see if they could make the stock FJ60 wheels into 16"s.

 

[B y r o n]

Well I bought a set of Pro Comp wheels and a set of Duratrac tires. They clear the tie rod ends and brake calipers. Because of the close fit I went with Dyna Beads for balance. 8 oz. of the off-road size in each tire.