I want to make my marathon baja wheels 1" to 1 1/2" wider, who and how much?

[egspot]

As stated I want to widen two of my marathon baja wheels by 1" to 1 1/2". I have these wheels:




I also have two 5 1/2" four bolt chromies that may be used for this purpose.

I want to know if it would be worth the cost as upposed to getting other wheels with better offset clearance.

Who would do this work right and what would it cost to do something like this?

[Bruce]

If you take them to Green's, they will cut the existing wheels and weld in a hoop.  They don't exchange outer rims.  The fit of the center is very important, and every wheel will be different.

What is the offset of those wheels?  It is stamped between the lug holes.  It will say ET41, or some other number.

[egspot]

1511

4 1/2J x 15

ET34

1 
72







"every wheel will be different"  ? what do you mean? They can not make it the same?

[silas]

"every wheel will be different"  ? what do you mean? They can not make it the same?

i think what bruce meant is that the marathon wheels are different than the 4 bolt chromies so it's pointless to try and use the chromies as donors.

like bruce said, it's easier for greens to use some of their own stock to make a hoop and weld it into the marathon wheels to widen them. when greens is done with them...both wheels will be the exact same (as long as that's what you ask for).

emilio...if i were you i'd get the old tape measure out and bolt one of these marathon wheels up to your car and take some measurements with the wheels straight ahead and in full lock in either direction to get an idea of tire to fender and tire to inner wheel well clearances.

also something to consider is if you're going to mount a narrowed beam, drop spindles, or disc brakes in the future because that will push/pull the wheels in/out and you may run into clearance issues.

afaik, greens should be able to widen them from the outside (backspacing should be the same but offset will be less than what it is now)....or inside (backspacing will change and offset would be more positive).

measure a bunch...cut and pay once!!!

dont hold me to it...but the last quote i heard from greens was $150 per wheel.

good luck!!

[egspot]

Thaks Silas,

My predicament is that i have t3 drums for the rear (to be mounted) and that will bring my drum out. I have 205s in the rear and I will need a 4" plus offset inside because with my 8 spokes  stick out 3/8" to 1/2". I know that with 4 !/2 wheels I won't be able to put my 205s  on the rear.

[silas]

My predicament is that i have t3 drums for the rear (to be mounted) and that will bring my drum out. I have 205s in the rear and I will need a 4" plus offset inside because with my 8 spokes  stick out 3/8" to 1/2". I know that with 4 !/2 wheels I won't be able to put my 205s  on the rear.

right..i'm not too sure why i was thinking you were going to widen the fronts...i must've smoked my lunch.

anywho...same deal goes for the rear. bolt one of the marathon wheels up & take some measurements. a long straight edge or a level would help to place against the face and back of the wheel so you get some idea as to fender to wheel clearance and wheel to springplate & inner wheel well clearances.

you will also need to take into account exactly how much the type III drums will push the wheel out and use that in your calculations.

just out of curiousity...how wide are the 8 spokes on your car right now and what is the offset of those wheels? also, what size tires are on those 8 spokes? and how are your clearance issues now (mainly tire to the lip of the fender and tire to springplate)?

[egspot]

My rear wheels are 205 60 15 on 5.5 X 15 and the offset is between 3 7/8" and 4". The marathon baja wheels are 4.5 and probably between 3.5" to 3 7/8" offset ( i have to confirm that.)

I should have bought the 914 2L when they where available. That would have solved this problem.

If I have to spend 300 plus to widen the wheels and i could get 2L wheels for 500-700, the later would be a better choice.

Thanks anyway.

[silas]

i think you are getting offset & backspacing mixed up.

offset is the measurement taken from the mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel and can either be positive (wheel would "tuck" under the fenders more) or negative (wheels would stick out further than the fenders).

backspacing is the measurement taken from the mounting surface to the backside of the wheel.

My rear wheels are 205 60 15 on 5.5 X 15 and the offset is between 3 7/8" and 4". The marathon baja wheels are 4.5 and probably between 3.5" to 3 7/8" offset ( i have to confirm that.)

those sound like backspacing numbers.

the offset of the marathon wheels is + 34mm (1.34"). the centerline of the wheel is at 2.25". so a 1.34" offset + 2.25" centerline = 3.59" backspacing (just like you said).

likewise with the 8 spokes. centerline of the wheel is at 2.75". if you say the backspacing is roughly 4" then the offset should be roughly + 1.25" (31.75mm).

so now you can compare the width & offsets of both types of wheels and use it as a reference.

again, what kind of clearance issues do you have with the 8 spokes & 205/60's?

I should have bought the 914 2L when they where available. That would have solved this problem.

porsche 2L wheels are one of the nicest 4 lug wheels imho.

If I have to spend 300 plus to widen the wheels and i could get 2L wheels for 500-700, the later would be a better choice.

call greens and tell them what you're after and ask for a quote and then go from there.

[egspot]

I have to save this stuff.I tend to forget the datails.

Thanks Silas.

[Bruce]

Did some calculating.
If your existing 8 spokes stick out by

[Jeremy]

Eggman, check out this site.

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

[egspot]

Eggman, check out this site.

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

Thanks man.

I am just getting educated ?
 

[Bubba]

Eggman, check out this site.

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

Thanks man.

I am just getting educated ?
 

For some, information leads to solutions

For others, it leads to more confusion

You will have to decide which it is for you, aged grasshopper