Hey guys, I think I've racked my brain enough on this one, so I'm hoping you can help. I'm putting my '56 Chevy pickup back together and I have a 12 bolt that is completely rebuilt with new pinion and 3:23 gears & new brakes. I've had it for years sitting in the garage waiting to be installed. I bought Wheel Vintiques smoothies that are 15 x 10 with 4.5 offset. Originally, with bad math, it looked like they would fit inside the wheel wells no problem. I'm putting 275/60 15's on them (which is a different issue) and with the 10 inch wheel the sidewall will be straight (no bulge). I put the bare rims on the axle yesterday (before I had them mounted or painted - you mount them or paint them you own them). The measurement from wheel lip to wheel lip is: 74 inches the OUTSIDE measurement of the wheel wells is: 75 1/2 inches if I take into account the flared lip on the fenders is almost 1/2 in per fender I get total clearance of: 74 1/2 inches I'm SO dang close it kills me...but it's too close for comfort. All I want is a decent set of 9" or 9 1/2" steelies in the back with the correct offset and I cannot find them ANYWHERE. Does anyone know a source for either 15 x 10 steelies with a 5" or 5 1/2" offset, or 15 x 9 steelies with a 4" or 4 1/2" offset? OR, anywhere I can get these wheel centers cutout and the offset adjusted? I'm not wanting to narrow this rear end to the tune of $350 +...I'd rather spend an extra $75 or $100 per wheel to get what I want.
contact jason at early wheel. he's in morro bay i think. he's a HAMBer and a real nice guy. www.earlywheel.com www.bearmetalkustoms.com
^^^ what he said. we get to the shop at 8. the bear metal kustoms number is (805) 772-7767. we are there monday thru friday 8-5. jason will help you out. and we can do your correct backspacing on the ten
Bro, thanks SO much! I'm sending these POS wheels back to Wheel Vintiques...wish I had asked this question 2 months ago...
So, is BearMetal the same company as Early Wheel, or are you saying I need to send the Vintiques to have the backspacing fixed? Either way, I'm in a damned bind and it's holding up my project. Can you guys ship on my UPS account?
early wheel company is owned by bear metal kustoms. we picked up the company about 3 years ago from the guy that started the company.
and we will probably have the exact same shipping charge as you. we do not up charge on shipping. but ask jason and he can work something out w you.
I'm just wondering if UPS freight would be cheaper than ground. I work at an RV dealership and we ship large items regularly. I'll call Jason Monday morning...thanks.
After talking to Jason and taking careful measurements multiple times just to be sure, I'm sure I'm on the right track. I was WAY off before. Looks like I'll be ordering 15 X 7 with 4" offset front and 15 x 10 with 5.5" offset for the rear as soon as I get my next paycheck. I like the smoothies, which is the same style I had from Wheel Vintiques, but these won't have the outer rim chromed. I'm going all steel and may have them powdercoated gloss black. There's still the 10 hole issue since the centers are generic, but I think baby moons will look just as good as spider caps. Although, I am interested in the lug covers Jason mentioned...
There is nothing wrong with Wheel Vintiques. I have two sets and will buy a third. In every case, I mounted the wheels and tires I wanted, set them under the fenders where I wanted them, and then made the measurement for the rear end width. Read below.
The guy that owned Early Wheel originally was a nice guy. I think his helth was failing. Is he still with us?
I'm sure WV wheels are fine. As far as ANY new reproduction wheel goes, the majority of them are likely partially or totally manufactured in China...it's no longer an exception, it's the rule. American industry is all but dead and we've been sold out to the lowest bidder...China. That being said, it's pathetic that WV offers such limited options in wheels. The reason is that they are trying to appeal to a generic consumer audience. I'm sure that Early Wheel uses some of the very same wheel parts as WV, the difference however is that Early Wheel allows more flexibility in offset and more options for the buyer...a big plus. If WV were ***embling their own wheels they could and should offer the same. They've done a great job of marketing, but honestly, why would I pay more for the same product from WV that makes ME compromise on my project when I can buy it elsewhere for the same or less and get better customer service, quicker turnaround and more options? Lesson learned...
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