OC_

i was originally writing this in reply to the wheel spacer question that was posted earlier, but I thought it was good enough to start a new topic.

i went asking questions and looking for info about if a hubcentric wheel is really needed or if it does anything. At first thought, you would think you would have to have the center hole perfectly sized with the hub to prevent any lateral play in the wheel... but if this where true, the tolerances would have to be so tight it would be difficult putting a wheel on your car (well, maybe not if the edges are tapered), and if there where any play around the hub hole, it would surely be slaping around if there was any lateral movement of the wheel on the hub. from the info that i have gathered (not a great deal) the only reason why wheels are hubcentric is to make it easy to get the wheels on the car. The tapered lugnuts and the strength of the studs should be more then enough to prevent lateral movement of the wheel. I do have a pair of mustang wheels that are not hubcentric that im going to try out. But if anyone has had a first hand negative experience with this, please let me know.

Im not going to be trying this anytime soon, because i got a free set of used race tires for these wheels from a friend that are 255 wide (never look a gift horse in the mouth). i feel its a good project to get these to fit UNDER and not out-of, the front of the car. IF i finish with this project, ill let you guys know.

BTW, one of the clubs i race with just got their schedule for the 03 season up. If anyone is in the chicago area and would like to do some low speed autoX's, or even some high speed events check the site in my sig and let me know!

ARD T2

iTrader: (22)

I have had wheels installed where I neglected to use hubrings and got some minor shaking at higher speeds. It was noticable. Then slapped the rings on and it was fine.

You could always get some rings machined for the wheels. you have a approx 59mm centerbore.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

As above. A fellow installed wheels without the rings and ended with with slight vbration, although the wheels were balanced perfectly inside/outside. Did nothing more than buy the rings...No more vibration. I have heard, from members of this forum, who have put wheels on with no rings and have not encountered any problems. Go figure. Pot luck.

Icemark

Wheels, hubs and spacers only need to be hub centric if the mounting nut is not tapered (in other words: flat). tapered nuts prevent any movement anyway, no matter what the size of the hub (unless the hub is too big).

My TRD Tacoma (and all other 98-91 Tacomas with Factory alloy wheels) use Lug centric wheels as well, with no problems except for that some shops are not equipped to balance lug centric wheels (most balancing machiens are hub centric) so the only down side I have ever seen in using lug centric VS hub centric is the actual balancing of the wheels is sometimes difficult.

But the idea of a factory 4WD used in heavy duty offroading, with a hub hole that doesn't rest perfect centered onto the hub has more than proved it to be safe to use lug centric rather than hub centric applications.