Has anyone ever tried wheel adapters?

[xxxtina63]

I'm familiar with the draw backs of them; Moving the wheel center line, hubcentric issues, bearing and tie rod wear, ect. Recently I ran across these http://www.jegs.com/p/Trans+Dapt/811892/10002/-1/11611 . Supposedly, they're ok to use on trucks and racing applications where higher stress is involved, where as the older kind were not. Just wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with them? The only things I've heard are negative. Guess my thoughts are for a truck that never hauls anything and is only driven occasionally, it might not be an entirely bad idea.

[convincor]

What is it your looking to do??
there is another member here that is using them.
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... c&&start=0
If your looking to convert lug pattern, I'm still move forward on this. There are 4 rotors getting done now, and once I have them back and verify all's good. I'll be offering them.
As for the rear, Moser redrills axes for $60.

[xxxtina63]

Thanks . Actually, I do recall the post, but don't think I read it to the end. Not looking to swap to disk or redrill just yet. I'm looking for a nice set of aluminum wheels for the 67, but don't really want to spend a fortune on them. Of course, E-bay is always an option. The only reason I'd even consider adapters is that over the years I've collected a few sets of nice rims, but all are the GM 5 on 4 3/4 pattern. While adapters are not exactly ideal, as long as you're not driving a ton or beating on them I would thing the consequences would be minimal.

[Redcap]

Thanks . Actually, I do recall the post, but don't think I read it to the end. Not looking to swap to disk or redrill just yet. I'm looking for a nice set of aluminum wheels for the 67, but don't really want to spend a fortune on them. Of course, E-bay is always an option. The only reason I'd even consider adapters is that over the years I've collected a few sets of nice rims, but all are the GM 5 on 4 3/4 pattern. While adapters are not exactly ideal, as long as you're not driving a ton or beating on them I would thing the consequences would be minimal.

Sounds like the wrong way to do things to me...I would think a disc swap, while more expensive, would be a lot less headache in the long run.

[FoMoCo]

I have the rear spacers on my 69 F100 to space out the rear wheels 1.5 inches but the same bolt patern. Mine are the alloy type that bolt to the existing stud and have 5 more studs to bolt the wheel to. I've driven off road, hauled wood, and gone 75 mph for years on these things with zero vibrations or problems. Use blue lock-tite when fastening the spacer to the hub. I'd keep looking for 5 on 5.5 wheels, fron tspacer might stick the front wheels out wide.

Nick

[xxxtina63]

I have the rear spacers on my 69 F100 to space out the rear wheels 1.5 inches but the same bolt patern. Mine are the alloy type that bolt to the existing stud and have 5 more studs to bolt the wheel to. I've driven off road, hauled wood, and gone 75 mph for years on these things with zero vibrations or problems. Use blue lock-tite when fastening the spacer to the hub. I'd keep looking for 5 on 5.5 wheels, fron tspacer might stick the front wheels out wide.

Nick

Thanks! I do plan on watching for the 5.5's. The adapters sound promising on paper, but sometimes that's as far as things go. I don't know if I'll even go that route, but the only way to know the good from the bad in real world situations is to ask someone who's actually done it.

[ROBT257]

I was interested in how all this turned out? I don't like the narrow look on my '72 F250 4x4. I'd like to put a spacer in there as well. But like you would like to know about the experiences of others.

[JG F100]

I haven't use adapters but I've seen plenty of Lightning guys use them to mount mustang wheels and they make plenty of power.

[Sam I Am]

I used adapters on my Beetle to go from the 4 bolt lug bolt pattern to 5 X 4.75" studs.
I never had any trouble with them as long as I was the one that took the wheels on and off. I had a tire shop ruin one of the unique offset bolts that had a different thread pattern on either end and I had to buy a whole new set because of it.
Mine were only about an inch and a half thick, so they didn't change front end geometry much. I knew a great front end alignment guy back then that set it up perfectly.
They appear to be made of pot metal or low grade aluminum cast. As much as I beat on that car if there was a problem with that design I would have found it. Newer ones are available made of billet aluminum and they should be infinitely stronger than the ones I used.

[Salty]

Most of my wrenching experience has been in the watercooled VW world where spacers and adapters are VERY common and I've never heard of any failures due to running them. Some parts will wear out sooner, but the same thing can be said to running wheels with more poke than stock. I personally had some spacers on an 86 GTI for a year and never had any issues. Granted, these cars are usually lighter than our trucks, and usually make less power than our trucks. But still, I've seen plenty 3000lb VW's with turbocharged 6 cylinder engines running 18" Mercedes or Porsche wheels on adapters that get beat on and driven long distances with out any issues.