Leetfade

iTrader: (1)

Sorry if I've missed this in searching, but I'm curious what most people with an RX4 have done for wheel set-ups. It is looking like I will be picking one up in the next couple of weeks so I am starting to plan. The 4x110 isn't very option friendly and I've seen a ton of pictures of nicely modded 4's with a 5 lug wheel.

Does anyone have a link to good information on conversions? I know I can get billet adapters to go to 4x100 but I prefer a little more of a classic muscle car wheel look for this one and those are typically 5x114.3.

Thanks in advance!

CamanoRx2

iTrader: (2)

There have been a few posts/threads with people using 2nd Gen stuff, and using a spacer between the top of the strut and the body to set the height correctly, and then using (I believe) a Toyota rear end. Obviously you'd need to set whatever you got up to fit the rear susension. Good way to go rear disc, too. Gear ratios become an issue (for some) but the argument is they are easier to find. I, too, am in the same position as you- I have a few sets of 4x110 wheels, all 13 and 14 inch, which screws you for tire selection. Its just a bad deal all the way around. 4 or 5x 114.3 is the direction I need to go as well.

It's the nature of old Mazda's- you gotta get crafty to build and drive one.

Darryl

Ryan Moore

I am in the same boat. i find like 2 or 3 wheels to choose from, and i don't really like any of them

chuyler1

iTrader: (1)

I'm glad I'm not the only one having trouble finding wheels. There's nothing out there for my '75 REPU. 6 lug with a whacky offset

CamanoRx2

iTrader: (2)

I'm going to find wheels I want, and build in from there... There will be so much other work to do, that it won't be a big deal.... Discs, limited slip, possibly have to narrow it, etc... Updating to 2nd Gen gets vented disc on the front, increases the likelyhood of finding parts, etc... Look at the real high end builds, and most start with a car with no suspension underneath, body set at desired ride height, wheels and tires 'located' in their respective wheel wells, and the rest goes from there... That opens up the possibility of say, an IRS, or a straight 8.8 axle, from an Explorer... blah, blah blah. Dreaming out loud.

Shoot, Ryan, you already have a Turbo II engine in there, why stop with that? Parts are out there, reasonably cheap.

Ryan Moore

I have tokico 5way, coil overs, and a rear disc limited slip already. I would hate to do all that conversion just for wheels. I would rather machine my own from a solid block of aluminum, wich might be what I end up doing.

PERTANO

With my first RX4 I swapped in a 79 Celica Supra rear end to get disk brakes and a 4x114.3 bolt pattern on the rear. The front was easily converted to vented disk brakes with a GSL-SE front strut conversion. I then added a set of coil over spring and caster camber plates to get it to align right.

With my new RX4 I plan on doing an 8.8 swap in the rear with disk brakes and then an Aerospace components brake kit from "THE RACING STORE" to get a 5x114.3 bolt pattern all around.

Both options are fairly straight forward and easy enough to do over a weekend. If memory serves me correct the RX4 rear end measured in at 55 inches flange face to flange face. The Celica Supra disk rear was 55.5

IF you want to go the 8.8 route you can send the housing to Moser and have them cut it down and provide you the axles required to make it happen.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

For street/occassional stip, waste of money IMHO

CamanoRx2

iTrader: (2)

How readily available is the Supra disc brake rear? That seems like as hard a piece to find as an old school rotary part. Spring pads the same? Drive shaft flange work? Ratio's compatible?It seems like there are a few guys trying to get the 4's back together, and there's not much in the way of easy answers.

Any and all opinions WELCOMED, before we get too deep into any single direction.

Ryan- If you have the means/ability to make a set of wheels, well then let's see it! You may end up with a little side work from a bunch of old schoolers...

costas

iTrader: (1)

Supra rear end is a 4 link set up so you will have to weld on the RX4 leaf perches , also it's 7.5 " crown and 27 spline axles and there are plenty available ratios and LSD's for it , just do a search on toyota truck sites or google toyota differential gears. its the same length actually shorter by 1/2" over all than rx4 unit.

Leetfade

iTrader: (1)

I read somewhere of someone using a Nissan rear-end. I need to find that again because if it's something like an S13 / S14, those are readily available and inexpensive.

I'll have to look into this Aerospace Components set-up...

PERTANO

I don't know of any nissan live axle rears that would be worth the effort. Most nissan/datsun used independent rear ends. That is what led me to Toyota rear in the first place. I had planned to use a AE86 GTS rear, but then the Celica supra was much easier to find, stronger, and a whole lot chepaer. Also Costas is correct about the LSD's being easy to find and gear ratios. I did the entire swap in my garage with little more then a grinder, mig welder and angle finder. Easy stuff and well worth the effort IMHO when you don't have to pay rediculous prices for 4x110 wheels that are impossible to find.

Either way good luck with whatever you decide to do with it.

Buggy

iTrader: (8)

I did a full GSL-SE swap on my car. Swapped in the front struts and the rear axle. I had to shorten the axle to fit the car and then I got custom axle shafts from Moser. That gave me a 4x114.3 bolt pattern but you can also upgrade that to 5x114.3 with the RE-Speed big brake kit and some 2nd gen TII brakes. You'd have to get new axle shafts again as well with the different bolt pattern.

migz808

iTrader: (1)

I did the same thing Pertano and Buggy did by going the 4x114 route. IMHO the most choices you have when it comes to rims for our cars. I went the with the GSL-SE front and Celica/Supra rear. I got the idea from Pertano's RX4 here on the Club forums. Plenty of goodies from RE-Speed and you can use a MKII Supra LSD for the rear. I have Panasport rims with 15x7 fronts and 16x7 in the rear at the moment.

Leetfade

iTrader: (1)

I'm guessing by Celica / Supra you guys are meaning either or, as in they both work? What years fit the best?

I sent you a PM, Costas, as I really like the setup you had on your grey one but maybe with a step or two smaller wheel.

Ryan Moore

those fit nice, i can get them in 4x110.

Ryan Moore

did the GSL se front struts drop right in? no ride height problems? bigger brakes sound real nice!

Buggy

iTrader: (8)

You have to drill out the two holes in the bottom of the struts to M14 thread. The Rx-4 uses bigger bolts to bolt the strut to the ball joint. I used ReSpeed camber plates and I also had some 1/2" aluminum spacers made to go above the plates to raise the car up a bit. It is pretty low. Otherwise it's pretty much a bolt in job. I also got Sam at ReSpeed to order me custom braided stainless flex hoses to go between the Rx-4 hard lines and the SE calipers.

costas

iTrader: (1)

1974 rx4 uses 12mm bolts that hold the steering knuckle to the strut
1976 uses the 14mm .
Since yours is a 74 they bolt up straight away so no worries there unless you want to use the 76 steering assembly which uses beefier inner/outer tie rods ,pitman/idler arm but you need the 76 drag link, every thing bolts on , both manual/power steering boxes share same diameter shaft and splines.

Leetfade

iTrader: (1)

I know it has been a loooonnnngg time... but I finally got to pick her up!

CamanoRx2

iTrader: (2)

Congrats! Great feeling. A little unhappy about ANOTHER guy searching for Rx4 stuff.... Kidding!

CamanoRx2

iTrader: (2)

That looks like its in GREAT shape! I need one of these SOOOO bad!

Leetfade

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man. I won't tell you all the details, you may hate me more!! HA! It does need a good bit of work but I am pretty excited about it. :-)