American Racing Wheels

[al agustin]

Hello, could some of the wheel experts here please kindly advise; I have a set of early 15x7 American Racing wheels and would like to alter the backspacing where possible. The current backspace of the American Racing wheels according to info gathered here and various other sources appear to be 124mm or 4.881 inches and for comparison, the Deep6 Fuchs is 112mm or 4.409 inches. Is this common practice ie take 12mm off (124 minus 112mm) the back of the wheel to achieve the 'deep6' wheel tuck and has anyone ever done this? Photos below are not my cars but the same wheels....I'm just bored of my deep6 and need the occasional change. Thanks very much!

[al agustin]

[70SATMan]

Since its a 7" wheel, adding a spacer to clear might not be possible without rolling the lips and of course being a SWB or LWB fenders makes a difference.

Trimming down to a 6.5" or 6" shouldn't be a problem. Good Wheel houses do this kind of thing all the time. No different than welding to create a wider wheel.

[Dg567]

Would altering the hub make the spokes of the wheel interfere with the caliper? Also, it would greatly reduce the hub thickness, maybe weakening it. I wouldn’t do it.

[al agustin]

Thanks very much for both points Gentlemen! Cheers.

[bru15]

I have the torq thrusts but the straight spoke version, not the flower version like yours. Milling the back is OK as long as you leave enough. I had a wheel shop mill about 3/16 in of the back to get more clearance, stock they will rub with suspension travel on more than a smooth road. Also had steel lugnut inserts put in so you dont have to use the flat washer style. However, with extreme travel, like one rear on the flat and the other wheel off the road angled that one wheel still rubs some. Looking at rolling the lip up just a little to see if that cures it. Other option is raising the car height a bit. I am running 185/65/15 Vredsteins

[al agustin]

Thanks very much for your valuable advice, love your car! I too have a 68 Targa. Your tire set-up looks great too. Milling 3/16 or 4.7 mm seems like nothing much at all...I was thinking 10mm if possible. All he best Mate.

[Cruisingnkali]

Not sure if your (daisy/flower) version has same back-space as straight spoke version, but I too heard that milling 3/16 off of straight spoke version is fine. My 7” straight spoke version is not milled and I run 205/55 tires on my 70T - no rubbing

[al agustin]

Wow, 205! Could you please post a photo with the straight spoke on your car if you have one. Thank you nonethelss.

[bru15]

Ckali. Pic please..... I wanted the original look of taller sidewalls...... like to see the shorter one though..