Spacers, More Offset, or Center Flip?

[3VILC]

So after getting to the stage where my SJ can move under its own steam (just haha) and finally looking like nearing the point of having a garage to work on it in again..
I came to the realisation that although it is modified to fit 32s maybe even 33s..it was obviously not originally on the rims I've got since the fronts hit the chassis rails at nowhere near full lock, rears JUST clear the modified wheel wells lifting them up with engine crane, but would probably touch with a bit of forced flex in the bush. Not sure what the rims are off that came with it, maybe standard 15"s?
So the question is, bearing in mind the body is already modified to fit pretty big tyres, what is the best offset to be running with a 31x10.5? And what is the best way of achieving said offset increase?
All options seem to cost near enough the same but what are the pros and cons of each? Spacers 25mm 50mm, Rim center flip, or just get a new set of rims (-19's?)

[Rotazuk]

Offroad only rig , how butch do you want to get ? What are the current rims like ? I have rewelded the centre's in two sets of offroad wheels now . Last set was factory vitara rims . In the factory location they weld up to a step in the rim . Cut them out with a grinder , put them in the lathe and machined to fit in the middle of the rim . Does help having a lathe . The first set I got a local engineering shop to machine out the centres so I could reweld flipped around . Each time I just made a plate and frame that sat on the rim edge to locate the center , bet it was not perfect but never noticed with the tyres always part deflated on an offroad only toy .

This is not recommended on a road legal vehicle or a set of rims that may find there way onto a road legal vehicle .

[3VILC]

The current rims are very average condition but appear straight and nothing other than a bit of surface rust, probably good candidates for flipping/moving centers but I dont really have the equipment to do it

[Swamped]

I have had a set of center flipped zuk rims. Offset was massive as a result which was cool but a bit tougher on bearings. You still have a skinny rim at the end of day which can be good or bad depending on tyre sizes, whether its going to be legal/certed etc etc.
My brother had the same decision and bought new rims as it was only going to be slightly cheaper modding his oem rims but then he'd still need to paint them so just bought these
http://www.4wdbits.co.nz/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=4454

I found some cheap steel 15x8 cj jeep rims with big offset that did the job on my truck.
Spacers are an easy fix if just an offroad toy.

Slightly extending your bumpstops can help minimse rub too.

[3VILC]

Yeah don't want to go too overboard and hammer the bearings more than necessary, just want to be able to turn haha. Rims need painting anyway so leaning towards just getting another set of rims with more offset, maybe spacers if something cheap enough is around at the time. The only way this will ever see the road is on my trailer haha.

[zukmeista]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=792537613

[3VILC]

Haha. Straight flip might be a bit overboard lol, would look staunch tho. I presume if the centres are welded against a lip on the rim then to do a straight flip would just involve grinding out the welds and tapping the centres in backwards and finding someone better than myself at welding haha. Can't remember how my rims are, think they are just cheap generic steelies but with no offset or for a lada or something. Still brilliant white under the tyres so I don't think factory

[derk]

last time I suggested some good mods for a zuk some joker came along and had a crack at me for it but for what its worth flipped centre rims is a well worthwhile mod for a narrow vehicle it makes a significant difference to stability with the wider track, I wouldn't worry too much about the wheel bearings other than keeping an eye on them go and have a look at how tiny trogan wheel bearing are on car trailers carting around 3 ton safaris and cruisers and don't worry too much about the centres getting welded in 100% true so long as you get them as good as you can they'll be fine for a bush truck most club trucks you follow down the road have one or two buckled wheels wobbling about a bit give the wheels a spin up once there welded up and stick the best 2 of the front

[3VILC]

I'm tempted to give it a go, if it works its almost free bar getting the tyres pulled off, and if I stuff it right up I havnt lost anything except some rims I wasn't going to use anyway

[dan88]

i have some 2" wheel spacers that are made for a vitara, never used them. up for sale

[3VILC]

Looking at the rims it should be not too hard to cut the centres out and reweld further back without actually flipping the centre. And my new landlord has a rural engineers workshop just up the road so sure he can help haha

[Rotazuk]

Would not want to push you into something you would not be happy doing but there are a few net stories of guys carefully grinding out the center and moving it a bit . Pro's if its an old wheel , no loss . If you have the time its free or cheap ish anyway . Do you have a fifth rim you could try and see how it goes .

How many rims the same do you have ? ☺ A real dodgy option ....... get two matching rims , cut the outer lip of one and cut the lip and a bit more of the other . Lie them on a flat surface and square them up all round with a square on the flat and the rim edges and weld (weld bloody well) . This would effectively move the centre in and also widen a rim , ie start with standard zuk rims at 5.5 and end up with a 7 maybe .

Cheers
Chris

[3VILC]

They are a set of 4 aftermarket steelies like the ROH Trak2, sunraisia etc copies. White with the blue and red stripe around the lip. So probably 15x8s. No obvious markings stamped on them. Could be 7in wide but my 31s look to sit about the same as they did on my Hilux rims so probably 8s so don't really need widening. The centre looks easy enough to grind the welds and move it to the back of the rims centre 'buldge' rather than the front like its welded now.