Are wheel adaptors safe?

[Grimace]

I have the 5x5.5 bolt pattern, and do not like any of the after market wheels in that pattern I've seen. Want to go to 5x4.5, like the Bullit style wheels but not sure the spacing would be right. If not I'd like some other 5 spoke pattern. Have never used adaptors, and they look weak to me.

[marz68]

I personaly would not trust adapters, I have never had any so I really don't know if all adapters are the same or if they are made different.

[70_F100]

I personaly would not trust adapters, I have never had any so I really don't know if all adapters are the same or if they are made different.

x2

[mlheppl]

I too would stay away from adapters. You could plunk down a big pile of cash and buy aftermarket axles for your rearend to convert it to 5x4.5 then an even bigger pile of cash to do a crown vic swap on the front. Seems like a whole lot of work and trouble just for wheels though. If the CV swap was already in your plans, then maybe not a bad way to go though. I would think that someone would be making a set of wheels in a 5x5.5 bolt pattern that would suit your taste.

[jnewton59]

I've never used them either but I am considering it so I can use a set of Magnum 500 wheels. Check out this link http://adaptitusa.com/5x550to5x450wheeladapter.aspx - this appears to be high quality stuff.

[carcrafter22]

I see this alot on the internet and for some reason people post they are unsafe, I dont understand it other than posting what they dont know.

Quality wheel adapters are perfectly safe! With that said I have seen some that are complete junk and I wouldnt trust on a shopping cart. Get a quality set made of some 6061 aluminum or steel and dont worry about it ever. I've seen wheel adapters used for 200,000 + miles on 1 ton trucks that haul stuff everyday down rough roads and on the highway at high speeds hitting pot holes, I have a couple buddies that are hardcore rock crawlers with wheel adapters and hundreds of trips to different parts of the country with no problems they beat the snot out of their stuff and have been through axles transfercases and lots of other things but never had an issue with wheel adapters.


If you think about it a wheel adapter is just like an extension of the wheel or axle and if you buy a good product they are often made of much higher quality material than 98% of wheels on the market so whats the problem with wheel adapters?

[flyboy71]

Not legal in PA of course after I bought a set. Nothing is legal in PA when it comes to cars.

[Grimace]

I was looking at the Summit "generic" Bullit style whells that have 4.5" back spacing. About the only ready made wheels I've seen so far in that 5x5.5 bolt pattern , are those old wagon wheel or bullet holes from American racing. Or a off road type wheel with bead locks etc. If anybody knows of a company that makes a Torque Thrust 5 star style wheels , please let me know.

[crewcabfan]

I was looking at the Summit "generic" Bullit style whells that have 4.5" back spacing. About the only ready made wheels I've seen so far in that 5x5.5 bolt pattern , are those old wagon wheel or bullet holes from American racing. Or a off road type wheel with bead locks etc. If anybody knows of a company that makes a Torque Thrust 5 star style wheels , please let me know.

have you checked coy's wheel ? http://www.coyswheel.com/ they have a couple different styles . as far as wheel adapters i have used 'em for 5 years and no problems yet.

[JG F100]

Not legal in PA of course after I bought a set. Nothing is legal in PA when it comes to cars.

Some Porsches have OEM spacer/adapters to push the wheels out on some models.