[Filthy McNasty]

All,

I have combed through what feels like a thousand threads on wheels/torq thrusts/tires, etc, but remain with some uncertainty. I am looking at ordering 17x8 Torq Thrusts off Tirerack, and the option offsets are 14mm or -11mm. My question is which is preferred? I hope to utilize 255/55/17 tires, to keep up with the stock wheel and tire diameter, which fills up the wheel wheels on the stock FE1 suspension nicely imo. Despite all the talk about these particular wheels, I struggled for clarity on how these would fit under the skirts of the Roadmaster sedan with each offset, and the tire size I'd like to use. I genuinely appreciate all of you that contribute to this forum, there is a vast amount of knowledge here. Thanks in advance!

 

[cappy p]

Wheel Offset Calculator

Use our wheel offset calculator to visualize the new tire position when changing wheel and tire sizes. Convert wheel offset and backspacing to calculate the correct setup for your vehicle.

tiresize.com

 

[91ss]

The 14mm will move the wheel 5/16" further inward away from the skirt. And you can always add a spacer to bring outward.

 

[Fred Kiehl]

+6 mm is the correct offset. Less will make the inside closer to the opening lip, and greater will be closer to the frame/body. 0 offset is about as far as I would go with a 255 tire.

 

[Filthy McNasty]

Thank you. Do you think I’d be better off going 235/60/17 on the 17x8 with the -11 or +14 instead of the 255/55/17? they dont list a 0 offset except for 17x7. Id really like to keep the wheel well full as it is and dont want to change much of the suspension because I love the comfort it provides at present. Id really like some wider wheels/tires out back, but the RMS skirts concern me.

 

[1slow96]

What is the attraction to weak sauce tire sizes?
Car will run stop ,and steer far better with 275/40's....

 

[Fred Kiehl]

If you put 8 mm spacers behind the +14 mm offset wheels it would give you the equivalent of a +6 mm offset. 8 mm is about 5/16". You need longer studs with the spacers. Before you pick a tire size, check your body alignment for clearance on both sides. Give yourself at least 1/2" from the skirt on each side for bushing slop. There are a number of people who put tires on that are too wide for the rims. The car may still run, but it can have detrimental consequences. Stick to the recommended tires for the rims size. A 255 will clear with the wheel/spacer combination above.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... but the RMS skirts concern me

A body shop would address your concern by, well, adjusting the skirts.

 

[Fred Kiehl]

A body shop would address your concern by, well, adjusting the skirts.

The skirts can not be adjusted, the body would require adjusting to center it on the frame. It is the same issue as the wagons.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I admit that I declined to have it done to my wagon; my wagon's spare wheelwell could not also be widened.
But I know that I got the idea from the ISSF many years ago.

Edit:
By many years ago, I meant over 10 years ago.
Forgive my failing memory; it involved using a bat in a rolling motion to gently persuade normally unseen parts inside the rear wheel wells.
I remember they said it would take about an hour to do carefully.
When they said they could not widen the spare wheel house, I saw no point to it.

 

[crm114]

All,

I have combed through what feels like a thousand threads on wheels/torq thrusts/tires, etc, but remain with some uncertainty. I am looking at ordering 17x8 Torq Thrusts off Tirerack, and the option offsets are 14mm or -11mm. My question is which is preferred? I hope to utilize 255/55/17 tires, to keep up with the stock wheel and tire diameter, which fills up the wheel wheels on the stock FE1 suspension nicely imo. Despite all the talk about these particular wheels, I struggled for clarity on how these would fit under the skirts of the Roadmaster sedan with each offset, and the tire size I'd like to use. I genuinely appreciate all of you that contribute to this forum, there is a vast amount of knowledge here. Thanks in advance!

I have the 14mm offset with 255/50r17's. I only put less than 100 miles on the combo before parking it for the winter, but I didn't have any rubbing during that period of time. This is what they look like:

 

[Filthy McNasty]

Thank you all. CRM, those look great. Nice wagon!

 

[atlantadan]

The skirts can not be adjusted, the body would require adjusting to center it on the frame. It is the same issue as the wagons.

The skirts can be adjusted, if by "adjusting" you're including rolling the skirt edge. You can probably pick up at least 1/2 inch.

I'm currently looking for new wheels for the wagon and the Budnik's are probably going to get the nod. I would like to replicate the size/offset of what I currently have on there. Does anyone know the correct way to get this info as a DIY'er?

 

[95wagon]

um, put a straight edge across the back outside rim flange and measur to mounting surface , that is your back space ( used by most American type wheel makers )

Tire off, measure bead to bead for width.
That is your width.
Tire on , measure outside flange to outside flange.
Minus an inch , what ever whole or large fraction your are closest to is your with.
As in if you measure 9 3/8ths or 9 5/8ths your rim width is 8 1/2

What EVER you do , no not used numbers stamped on the wheels without checking.
I have set of 17-8 American Racing 200S at the shop that are stamped 17-6.5 and it ain't back space ! !

 

[Filthy McNasty]

thank you all.

 

[crm114]

Thank you all. CRM, those look great. Nice wagon!

Thanks Filthy. I typed out a whole response to you the other day, put I must have forgotten to post it. The gist of it was: I wish I had bought 18's. I went with 17's because I wanted lighter wheels and more sidewall, but the tire options are just so much better in 18.