[Slapzuki]

After the wheel spacer question, my new question is this;

Has anyone had any experience running a 16x10 wheel on a GV? If so, what kind of rubbing did you experience? I found a steel wheel with a 2.5 backspace on a 10" wide wheel, just wondering if it would fit!

[Gwagensteve]

The wheel will physically fit, no problem. However, there are some other issues with that rim choice.

What tyre were you planning on running that will fit on a 16X10" rim? I can't think of a tyre that will fit a 16X10" rim that will fit on a GV, even with a calmini kit. (even less so gearing that tyre size)

Have you considered you'll be making your car 8" wider rim-rim? +tyre sidewall

I'm no fan of wheel spacers, but if the options were spacers or 2.5" BS 10" rims, I'd take the spacers.

Steve.

[Slapzuki]

Glad I posted this in the noob forum, because you posed a question which I hadn't even considered.

I have tried to come at this wheel thing from every angle, but for that question I neglected to consider the tire.

I found one company that can custom manufacture steel wheels for me in a 16x7 on 5x5.5 with the 2 1/2 backspace (or -76mm offset) for 99 USD a wheel, only drawback is they are adamant in their statement that the wheels are not for on road use. This scares me only because they cannot guarantee the wheel at freeway speeds, which would be comforting >_>

[Gwagensteve]

Note: I just checked the calmini site, and I'm not sure where the 2.5" backspacing requirement comes from. According to calmini,

Here: http://www.puresuzuki.com/Suzuki%20Whee ... laimer.pdf

Quote:

- TRACKER/VITARA/GRAND VITARA/XL-7 EQUIPPED WITH SK1980x 2.5” SUSPENSION LIFT:
TIRE SIZE: 29” x 9.25” WHEEL BACKSPACE: -1” OFF FACTORY
TIRE SIZE: 30” x 9.5” WHEEL BACKSPACE: -1” OFF FACTORY (THIS TIRE SIZE WILL REQUIRE LIGHT FENDER TRIMMING)

So that's 4.25-1" = 3.25" BS - much easier to find - I'd suggest 3.5" is close enough and that's an off the shelf rim, at least here.



Anyways -

Back to my orginal message, which I've left for general information -

As for custom rims, I think you will find that's a common liability clause. There is a similar grey area around modified wheels in this country. It's not that the wheel isn't "safe" it's that it lacks the appropriate DOT approval, so you have to be informed as the consumer the wheel is "for off road use only" - you'll see the same thing with beadlock rims. Almost none of them are DOT approved.

I'lll just point out that 2.5" Backspace isn't -76 offset on a 7" rim.

Backspace and offset are confusing. Offset is the distance from the theoretical centreline of the rim. On a GV, that's 5P from memory, and works out at around 4.25" of backspacing, and that's confusing because offset and backspace aren't measured from the same point.

By my figuring, a 2.5" backspaced 7" rim would have an offset of about -38. That's never going to be an off the shelf rim.

There's some good into here:

http://www.wheelandtiredesigns.com/tech.php

We could source a King brand rim here in Australia listed at 16X7, -13 offset, which comes out at 3.5" Backspacing, about as much offset as you're likely to find for a rim that size.

I've just reviewed your wheel spacer thread and I see some of this was covered in there.

Can you clarify why Calmini specify a 2.5" BS rim? - (see my note at the top) I always thought there were two reasons - 1) To clear the A arm/chassis on steering lock with the specified (larger) tyre, and 2) to apply additional leverage to the front end, which pulls the lift down a bit and cranks camber into spec. Reducing rim backspacing on an IFS front suspension has the effect of lowering the spring rate through increased leverage. I've fitted calmini kits to a few vitaras (not grands, but the setup is similar) and front lift height and camber are excessive with stock rim backspacing.

If that's still the case with the GV, then there's no reason why you can't run your chosen tyre (235/75/16's will fit easily) on the stock rims with no need for a spacer. If you find the front end has excessive positive camber you can add camber bolts. If the front end has excessive lift height, you can always swap out the Calmini springs for OME, run some small spacers etc to tune the height.

I know that sounds like a lot of stuffing around, but unfortunately lifting an IFS vehicle is more complex than a solid axle and a "one size fits all" approach doesn't always work, as you are finding.

Steve.