Steel Wheels

[shogun]

Anybody have a source for basic, inexpensive, bare-bones steel wheels in 16x7.5 with 5x130 lugs (ball seat)?

[Scott Brady]

I have spent some time on this, and I think the only reasonable option will be to find someone in Europe to find a set for you, and ship them over.

On my G, the plan is just to keep the stock aluminum 16" units. They are a high-quality wheel.

[G-force]

Are we talking about wheels to the 460 or the 463?

There is a difference in backspacing on the different versions, and steel wheels for the 463 isnt widely availeble.

But for the 460 it shouldnt be any problem.

Prize around 150 US before shipping. That is then for 4 or 5 steel 16 x 7.5 or 16 x 7. Not quite sure what the dimension is.

Is there anyone who can calculate the shipment cost from Norway?

Will be happy to help, if you guys are interessted.

[shogun]

I have no idea which model vehicle they are used on.

My present wheels are 16x7.5 (406.4x190.5), although a 7" width would work. The offset is 1.457 (37mm), and the backspacing is 5.788 (147.02), but I can work with a different number if close. Hub bore is 3.337 (84.8mm).

I want 2 or 3 wheels for the trailer.

[G-force]

That was a few numbers that were new to me:Wow1:

As i understand now, what i ment by backspacing was then really offset.

I`ll check out overall dimensions, hub bore and offset, and see what i can come up with.

Is there a way of measuring backspacing, so that i`ll know what i am looking for?

Cool.

[G-force]

As for looks, theyre quite similar to Michael Groves wheels on his black G-wagon.

[Indiana Drew]

You can look at Sprinter wheels, but they are only available in up to 6.5x16 I believe ... Please chek the specs before though as I have never actually used them ...

[shogun]

That was a few numbers that were new to me:Wow1:

As i understand now, what i ment by backspacing was then really offset.

I`ll check out overall dimensions, hub bore and offset, and see what i can come up with.

Is there a way of measuring backspacing, so that i`ll know what i am looking for?

Cool.

The easiest way I've found to measure backspacing is to lay the wheel on the ground, outside down, lay a piece of straightedge (wood, ruler, whatever) across the inside edge. Then measure straight down from that straightedge to the bolt/hub face.

Backspace is the dist from inside lip to the hub face. Offset is the dist between hub face and centerline (vertical) of wheel.

[Fernweh]

For our MBUSA G-500 the standard ET is 43mm while the European G-wagen feature most the mag wheels with ET 63mm - steel wheels should be similar. The clearance depends on your tire size (rubbing on chassis or body), I do run 295/75 16 BFG tires on the 7.5" x 16 Atik wheel (ET63) but with 30mm wheel spacer - so my effective ET is now 33mm. !6" wheels are the smallest I can fit onto the G-500 - check the clearance to the brake caliper on your G-wagen, as steel wheels might have different dimensions in regard to this clearance.

A very good site to read about all the different wheels for the G-wagen:

http://rubicon-trail.com/G-Class/wheels/start.html

[shogun]

Thats a good resource. We'll see how accurate the info is.

It looks like "ET" is the offset, but not entirely sure. Offset being the dist from hub face to wheel centerline.

[G-force]

Jepp, ET is offset.

Check this link out, for picture of the steel rim.

http://www.vtp.no/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=109_110_111_125&products_id=125&osCsid=27c83ffbbe4bbc8c44f9437c793ad385

These are steel rims from the military, non armored G-wagon. The used ones are normally painted olive green. Go figure:sombrero:

There is an exchange rate of about 7 norwegian kroner, to 1 US dollar. Or about 11 norwegian kroner, to one english pound. More or less. For those of you who needs something to gasp about:Wow1:

This prize is for brand new ones, and the prize i mentioned is for used ones.

[deadbeat son]

I'm not sure what your definition of cheap is, but last time I checked, Stockton Wheel (http://www.stocktonwheel.com/4wd_offroad.htm) offered their HD Series 20 wheels in custom bolt patterns and offsets at $110/ea for a 16x7. They'll make anything you want.

[michaelgroves]

I'm not sure what your definition of cheap is, but last time I checked, Stockton Wheel (http://www.stocktonwheel.com/4wd_offroad.htm) offered their HD Series 20 wheels in custom bolt patterns and offsets at $110/ea for a 16x7. They'll make anything you want.

Good to know too. According to their website, $145 ea now. (BTW, fixed your URL here, but you might want to edit your post).

[michaelgroves]

Is there any G-specific snag with having less than standard backspacing (i.e. a wider stance) on a W460?

[deadbeat son]

(BTW, fixed your URL here, but you might want to edit your post).

Thanks, URL fixed!

[Indiana Drew]

Is there any G-specific snag with having less than standard backspacing (i.e. a wider stance) on a W460?
As in making the inside edge of the tire/rim narrower than with stock ET? Rubbing on full lock is what comes to mind ...

[Indiana Drew]

I'm not sure what your definition of cheap is, but last time I checked, Stockton Wheel (http://www.stocktonwheel.com/4wd_offroad.htm) offered their HD Series 20 wheels in custom bolt patterns and offsets at $110/ea for a 16x7. They'll make anything you want.

They will not be tight fit hub centric and the lug will be cone not ball per an exchange of emaild I had with them today ... I don't know that either are a deal killer for a set of trailer wheels, but not sure the best choice for on the truck ... I was quite excited about the series 24 Power Wagon which is what they told me they would make in 5x130 until I asked about the hub centric issue ...

[deadbeat son]

My memory may be foggy, but I thought they offered quite a few more custom options than they must now. Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

[michaelgroves]

I'd have thought the cone vs ball issue wouldn't be a problem if you use matching wheels and bolts? Not sure about the hubcentric thing, but what about just using hub-centric rings? On a trailer it really shouldn't matter, though!

Is the point of the exercise to use identical wheels/tyres on car and trailer? Or just the same basic size?

[michaelgroves]

As in making the inside edge of the tire/rim narrower than with stock ET? Rubbing on full lock is what comes to mind ...

No, I meant having the wheel more outboard - a wider track but the same width tyre. (Am I right, that's less backspacing? Now you have me doubting!).

[Indiana Drew]

No, I meant having the wheel more outboard - a wider track but the same width tyre. (Am I right, that's less backspacing? Now you have me doubting!).

I'm sure you are correct ... The only thing about which many talk is possibility of wheel bearing wear at an accelerated rate ...

[shogun]

I'd have thought the cone vs ball issue wouldn't be a problem if you use matching wheels and bolts? Not sure about the hubcentric thing, but what about just using hub-centric rings? On a trailer it really shouldn't matter, though!

Is the point of the exercise to use identical wheels/tyres on car and trailer? Or just the same basic size?

My interest is being able to use the trailer wheels as an emergency replacement on the vehicle if needed. The tires dont need to be exact same, but a functional equivalent. The vehicle is set up for 5x130, lug (and hub) centric, and about 5.25 backspacing. Beyond that, I can work with ball seat or cone seat and obtain equivalent diameter tires.

[Fernweh]

My interest is being able to use the trailer wheels as an emergency replacement on the vehicle if needed. The tires dont need to be exact same, but a functional equivalent. The vehicle is set up for 5x130, lug (and hub) centric, and about 5.25 backspacing. Beyond that, I can work with ball seat or cone seat and obtain equivalent diameter tires.

That is a very smart thing to do.......but I believe the hub-centric mounting is quite important - even when used just on a trailer.
Remember when using steel rims and if you Gwagen is a W463 those steel wheels might interfere with the steering tie rods (ends) at the front axle's hub knuckle - it's not just a potential tire rubbing issue.

This here is a very nice example of a G-wagen offroad trailer......features a third wheel as spare and all wheels from the trailer and the towing vehicle are fully interchangeable.

http://up.picr.de/2330270.jpg