J15 and13"Wheels

[kdempsie]

Fellow J15 builders,

I'm very keen on fitting 13" wheels to my car, I have noticed a couple of cars that seem to have managed that but I am struggling a little. It might be the trial wheel I had but it looks like the lower wishbone would contact the rim quite quickly in bump?

Have any of you guys had to make changes to the wishbone or is it a careful combination of offset and wheel width?

Thanks,

Keith.

[Paul AS]

Hi mate,

I've been running 14 x 5.5 ET43 on my J15 from the start. The rears are very recessed into the arches and are going to be spaced by 16 mm with spigot rings and longer studs for safety.

However, like yourself I always fancied 13's but the prices and risk of them not fitting put me off, until I saw a set of 13" ford fiesta/ka wheels on ebay for money that good it was work the risk.

Turns out that they are 4x108, 13 x 6 ET 24, and by putting the long bottom suspension bolt in with the head at the back of the car (the tie rod end) they fit with about 5mm clearance, and if the wheel and suspension parts flex by more than 5mm, I'd be amazed, and somewhat worried!!

The backs will still be recessed or flush at worst with 185 section tyres, the fronts may stand a little proud at the front, but will probably be flush at the back. I honestly haven't decided what to do with them yet as far as tyre sizes and types go but with that specification, these minilite style rims do fit!

Hope that helps

Paul

[RobMsport]

Where space is a problem , I've use K nuts then cut off the excess thread

[kdempsie]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've arranged to get a trial wheel so I'll find out what the actual clearances are.

Keith.