From 165 to 185

On my '94 CMC I run the stock 165 all around.I would like to go with 185,but there is not enough room on the back.On the front i have pleeeeenty of room.Swing axle.4 lugs.What do you guys think?Also, I can not find the fuse box ,and plate ID.THANKS

Check the Thread "Tire size" down about 13 from this one. I changed from 165's to 185's with no problem it's close but no rub. I ran Dunlops. Try one that's closest rear 1st and if it works go for it.

Dick

Lambros, you may have to switch to a rear wheel with more negavtive offset. I know that IMs are a different brand, but Henry, at Intermeccanica, sells a 7" wide wheel that fits on the back and can actually take a 205 mm wide tire under a stock non-flared body. I've seen an IM with 215x50s on the back, but you couldn't stick more than 4 sheets of paper between the tire and fender on the back (passenger) side. Most replicas seem to have more clearance on one side than the other.
Ron

RE Henry's rims, I bought a set for my car, not cheap, but he swore they would fit. When I had new Pirelli tires mounted and the new rims spun balanced, the installer came out front to get me to show that both rims were not true, they had a slight wobble. He had to add a good bit of lead to compensate. I didn't feel good about that, though wall-eye rims on the rear are not as noticable as on the front... still.

I spoke to Henry, he offered to exchange them but I didn't want to go through the hassle of shipping from the East Coast. I horse traded with a guy instead. Next time I figured I would do what another poster or two have done here and that is to buy rear 5.5 rims from Beck Spyder, they have had their OFFSET changed by the manufacturer in Brazil, plus they are half the price as the IM 7 inch rims. I will also insist that the new rims be spun on a balance to check for trueness before being shipped.

lambros
are you sure you have 4 lug hubs? Normally swing axels are 5 lugs.
ed

68 swing-axle cars had 4 lug drums. It is the widest axle on a swing-axle beetle.

VS uses a lot of 68 based pans.

Thanks Eric, didn't know that.
ed

Erik, you're right to go local. I keep on forgetting that IM is so Far away for many of you. Luckily for me, Henry is only a one-hour drive from my house.
And yes, George's rims are very nice and very light, but they are also VERY, VERY, VERY expensive. For most of us $500 per wheel is more than we can afford.
Ron

If I recall vorrectly the two 7 inch rims from IM cost approx $300US, plus some sort of import tax at another forty bucks.

I am certain it is not normal for IM rims to have a wobble in them but both of mine did, very noticeable. I certainly don't fault IM, though their vendor modified the rims. Henry offered to exchange them but by that time I wasn't certain if I wanted 7 inch rims.

Another poster talked about buying modified 5.5 rims sold by Beck Spyder, their offset is for the use on the rear only. You can still run up to a 205 with them. Cost -- $75 each. Check their web site.