John Bond
Active Member
I am trying to find a set of wheels for my car, the front is small bolt pattern, with 1 inch spacer to change it to big bolt pattern, and the rear is a big bolt pattern dana 44, what kind if wheels should I look at buying
what parts would I need to convert to the big bolt pattern?In my humble opinion, you need to get rid of the front wheel spacers, and convert the front to big bolt pattern. That way you can buy whatever wheels you want. I had a BAD experience with those bolt pattern adapters 50 years ago. In 1969, I bought a new 69 340 Formula S Barracuda Fastback. SBP wheels were HARD to find. After about 6 months, one of the adapters came loose and caused a lot of damage that was of course, not covered by warranty. I would personally get rid of them ASAP. I know that others will say that they are no problem. All I can tell you is what happened to me.
The trick is to put the disc brake spindles on then you can buy the disc brake rotors which are large bolt pattern. The thing with the upper control arm is the disc brake has a bigger hole for a bigger upper ball joint. You can either get the a arm that accepts the bigger ball joint which would be the 73 and later or doctor diff sells a shim that goes over your small ball joint and goes in to that larger disc all for $20. So all in all you really just need to find those spindles and some $20 shims. But I also believe dr. Dif sales, I was reading on here I haven't looked it up for $200 or less. Also remember if you put disc brakes on the front you'll need the new portioning valve that brass piece that's down below your master cylinder usually against the frame. Then of course now you need brake calipers for your disc's. It's a worth while upgrade.what parts would I need to convert to the big bolt pattern?
Get rid of the front wheel spacers...not a good idea running spacers
Nothing wrong with spacers if they're made from good quality material and torqued properly.
Now, if they're those cast aluminum junkers that they sell, those are a disaster. But a good billet spacer is as strong as the wheel you're attaching it to.
Even though I see your point as in billet versus aluminum.... why not buy wheels that fit properly or change suspension components besides "jerry rigging" the car. Cheap scape mentally I guess... ???
Surely wouldn't put them on front of the car like the OP is mentioning. Glad he listened to us and will change the components
Oh... going back to my post .... you see you're losing in the voting... 5 to 1...
Nothing wrong with spacers if they're made from good quality material and torqued properly.
Now, if they're those cast aluminum junkers that they sell, those are a disaster. But a good billet spacer is as strong as the wheel you're attaching it to.
I don't disagree and I know you know this...but the concern comes in first with the fact that without mentioning replacing the studs with longer ones, there's a risk there...
Also, in some situations, spacers can screw up suspension geometry and/or put a great deal of extra wear on wheel bearings.
But yeah, with quality parts, correctly sized and accommodated by longer studs...right on.