Wheels For Less Explains How To Measure Wheel Size

wheels

When it comes time to spruce up your car with a new set of wheels, there’s nothing to it. All you have to do is go to the Wheels for Less webpage and use their shop by vehicle tool. Since they are a distributor of many brands, they have a huge selection to choose from. While on their webpage, you simply pick the year, make, and model car you want to outfit, and you are presented with a selection of great looking wheels that’ll fit right onto your car or truck.

Here are two cars that we previously featured. Each has been treated to upgrades that include aftermarket wheels and tires. Sean Root’s Chevelle is an example of a mostly stock application with aftermarket Foose wheels, while Andy Millican’s 1957 Chevy is a highly-modified car that features larger disc brakes and a specialized wheel size.

But, what if your ride isn’t stock? Maybe you have bigger brakes, a different frame, a modified suspension, or you just want to really push the limits of what will fit under your fenders. If your car isn’t stock and the factory size wheels won’t work for you, or you want a custom look that needs bigger wheels, don’t panic. We went to the experts and got the information you need to make sure you are going to get the wheels that will fit your car.

wheels

Michael Jones’ Chevelle is another one that we featured recently, which has larger brakes and a custom wheel size.

We went straight to the top and talked to Jeff Roberts, the president at Wheels for Less, and got his input on how to make sure you get the right size wheels for your car. “We just want to educate people,” Jeff explained, “So that once they’ve made these modifications, they can work with someone that knows what they are doing.” Keep in mind, you may be working with a stock car that just has a new set of Wilwood or Baer brakes, and you’ll still have to measure to make sure the new wheels will clear the aftermarket brake equipment. “In some cases, those brakes are so big you can’t fit anything over them under the 20-inch category,” Jeff said.

wheels

If you want a look like this, prepare for more significant modifications than just new wheels and tires.

The process starts with a vision, knowing what you want, and knowing how to get there. When you look at a picture of a car that’s got the look you want, it’s not always as easy as buying the wheels and putting them on.

“You have a lot of people that go to a website or magazine and see a car that’s been highly modified, and then they see the wheels on the car,” Jeff said. “They say they want that look, but, they can’t typically get that look with a stock suspension on the car.”

These are a few helpful diagrams provided by Jeff for measuring bolt pattern, rim size, and the brakes/calipers.

One of the most common mistakes people make and need to be aware of, is that wheels are actually 1-inch wider than  advertised. “ A 9.5-inch wheel is 9.5 inches where the tire sits,” Jeff explained. “The wheel itself is actually 10.5-inches wide.” A person might measure and think since they have 9-inches of overall room, an 8-inch wheel will fit fine, but it’s too wide.

wheels

Here is a great graphic provided by Jeff that demonstrates the different measurements you will need to make.

So, how do you correctly measure a wheel, and how do you make sure you are getting the right size for your car? “Key measurements are wheel size and the backspace or offset,” Jeff detailed. “To measure properly, you need to jack the car up by the rearend so it’s sitting on the suspension like it would be if the car was on the ground.” Start by securing a straight edge to the hub or rotor using lug-nuts so that your hands are free to use a tape measure. Then, measure from the straight edge in to the first thing you hit on the inside, then out from the straight edge to the fender. “That tells of the overall clearance and the offset to make sure it fits correctly.”

Here is what it will look like when you measure the clearances with the straight edge.

The other important thing to know is that the folks at Wheels for Less are here to help, and are more than happy to walk you through the process. “It’s important to deal with someone that can walk you through these steps,” Jeff explained. “Anytime you modify these vehicles and change the suspension, rearend or anything like that, it’s going to affect the offset and what size wheels are going to fit. That is why you need to work with someone that can help you.”

You will also need to know the offset clearance so you can find out how deep the tire can go before hitting the suspension or frame.

Jeff has been doing this for decades, and is regarded as an expert in the field. If you are working to add flair to your ride with a nice set of wheels, or aren’t sure what size you need with your new brakes and suspension, give the folks at Wheels for Less a call and they’ll take good car of you.

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About the author

Kyler Lacey

A 2015 Graduate from Whitworth University, Kyler has always loved cars. He grew up with his dad's '67 Camaro in the garage and started turning wrenches at a young age. At seventeen, he bought his first classic, a '57 Chevy Bel Air four-door, and has since added a '66 Plymouth Valiant and '97 Cadillac Deville to his collection. When he isn't writing for Power Automedia, he's out shooting pictures at car shows, hiking in the forests of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, or working on something in the garage.
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