Howdy! If I use spacers to switch from 4 lug to 5 lug rims, in the front and back, does anything change as far as fitting a 114.3/ 14x7 rims on it? Or will they just fit right on. I'm gonna go with TA Radial 60s. The new tires shouldn't stick out too far. Anything I should be considering about this? Not going to switch out to disc brakes and a new rear end. Just going for looks because this Maverick runs great and is very clean, so it's just a cruiser. Thanks.
To me the critical thing is to torque the spacers on and check them after a few miles. I used spacers for a while on my first Maverick even through a v8 swap until I could afford a disc/drum conversion. (Seems backwards now...) I would suggest to not go crazy tall or wide on the tire selection but with 14" you may be limited on tires anyway. BFG still offers the 245/60R14 like I'm using on the rear of my current Maverick (on the same wheels). My front tires are BFG 225/70R14s. Bruce
I'm gonna go with 60's all the way around. Just a question, is the look good? The tires don't come out of the wells too far? Just looking for a clean look. Nothing super wide. And, thanks on the advice on checking the bolts now and then. I'll do it regularly. I don't take long trips, like I said it's just a cruiser. I was just concerned about the stability and dependability of using spacers.
If I recall correctly the adapters I used were 3/4"-1" thick. I think that you can buy narrower width, stronger adapters now. Mine pushed the tires out enough to where I felt it necessary (and it was the style of the day) to raise the rear end a little. I used a leaf from a station wagon in the original spring pack - it rode like a heavy duty truck and I loved it - stupid kid! Research to find adapters that aren't very thick and measure for the proper tire size and you should be fine. Then let's see pictures . Bruce
not to take anything away from what Shorty has said here because I believe him to be correct.. but I will add that I typically prefer a taller 70 series tires on these old cars because it fills the wheel wells out much better. 14"/70 series will be equivalent to 15"/60 series tires in diameter. I personally like at least 26" on the fronts and near 27" or slightly better on the rears. So, point is that unless the car is extensively lowered to conceal the tire/well gap?.. to my eye, 14' rims with 60 series tires will not sufficiently fill them out. Problem is.. not too many options available for the 14" stuff anymore as time marches on and wheels/tires get bigger. Today's 14" is yesterday's 13". Then we also start running into clearance issue with lowered cars wearing taller and/or wider tires.. so there's that too. Good luck on the hunt.
I agree. In this picture my car has 245/60R14 BFG's on the rear and 225/70R14 BFGs on the front. After removing the P/S, A/C and moving the battery to the trunk I cut a coil off of the springs. The 9' rear from a '70 Mustang sets the rear tires out to where I had to roll the fenders. Bruce
