I know that alot of you guys are running Rewinds and are really happy with them. You've inspired me to get some too. Last week I put in an order for a set with graphite spokes from JLB, but they were out of stock (only had silver). They should have a graphite set in a few weeks. So that gives me some time for more research.

Anyhow I have a few questions that I could not find answers to after doing some extensive searches here.

1. Do I need new lug bolts?

2. How about the use of hubcentric rings? Are you using them?

3. I know that the tire size of choice is 205/50. I am interested in going bigger
with 225/50. Pretty sure they will fit in the back. Could they fit in the
front too?

4. Any suggestions for tires in either 205/50 or 225/50? I am on a tight budget,
so exotic rubber is not an option. JLB recommended Falken ZE 502.

My car is an 1983 GSL with stock suspension.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

i have wed autobahns..but still i would recommend in getting 12mm x 1.25 gorilla studs from summit racing-cheaper than a lot of places and also just lug nuts...for the rubber i know that 205 on 15's are pretty good on the front..i think 225 is stretching it on the front...and since your on a budget a lot of times the larger you go the more expensive...i have 205/60/14s on my car..Falken ziex..pretty good tires..

 

Doesn't the car uses 12x1.5 studs? You should double check

 

^^^

The lug studs are 12x1.5mm.

 

1. Do I need new lug bolts?

-Yes. I use Gorrilla #17179 bolts and their matching lock bolts. Pitch is M12x1.5

2. How about the use of hubcentric rings? Are you using them?

- Yes, you want some hub centering rings. The Konigs are 73mm and I forget the stock size. I found it before by searching on the forum.

3. I know that the tire size of choice is 205/50. I am interested in going bigger
with 225/50. Pretty sure they will fit in the back. Could they fit in the
front too?

- 205/50 is the biggest you can go. Mine just clear the RB springs. Any bigger, even with stock springs would not work... unless you have coilovers.

4. Any suggestions for tires in either 205/50 or 225/50? I am on a tight budget,
so exotic rubber is not an option. JLB recommended Falken ZE 502.

- I currently have Kumho Ecsta ASX. No complaints so far, especially in the wet.

 

So it sounds like most everyone is running studs and nuts.

Can I just mount the wheels using the stock studs? I really don't want to go through the hassle and expense of changing all of this out.

Sorry if my questions are noob, but I have never before bought new wheels.

 

thanks...for the correction..

 

its really not that expensive..the studs are about $20 total and then however much you want to spend on lug nuts..i got my from evasive motorsports along with some bullfrog lock nuts...and its really easy to install..on the end there are threads so you just screw them into the rotors up front and either rotors or drums on the rear..dont forget to put some loctite so they dont back up on you...if you ever wanna take the studs out..you just apply some heat with a torch..

 

Not everyone is using studs and nuts. I am using bolts as I said, the gorilla 17179. You need a smaller head bolt (17mm) as the stock 21mm heads don't really fit in the holes, with suitable clearance for a socket. Also, if I remember right, the stock bolts weren't long enough anyway.

 

Sorry about that Sarge.

It is not that I am lazy or overly cheap, I am just trying to find the easiest way to get this done.

Can anyone comment on the length of the stock studs? Will the wheels fit with the stockers?

My car is literally about 10,000 miles away, so I can't just go out and look at it. It has studs and nuts as stock, right?

 

stock they have lug bolts...which is the nut and stud as one unit...they stockers might not be long enough depending on your backspace on the rim...and for length..the gorrilla studs you can get the 1.75 in...there not to much longer than the stock ones..

 

I'll answer these in order.
1. I would highly suggest new lugs. The stock lug bolts are famous for having the head pop off. They can be a major bitch to get out when this happens, even on stock wheels. The Konigs have the bolts recessed, which will further complicate the task. Lug bolts will more difficult to get started properly, compared to studs and nuts. The rear is easier than the front, since the park brake can be used to keep the hub from freely rotating as you are trying to line everything up.
2. Hub centering rings are good for street use, but problematic for racing use. If you are just driving on the street, they would be advisable. especially if you are using lug bolts, rather than studs/nuts.
3. 225/50 likely won't clear the front springs on the +20 offset wheels. They wouldn't clear on my +15 offset wheels, which are 5mm further away from the strut/spring.
4. The Falken 502 was on my car when I bought it. They were decent tires, but lacked a bit on grip, when it came to autox. This was likely more from the tires age than anything else. The date code shows they were made in '96, and I retired them in '07, with ~50% tread left. I never had any problems on the street, even in torential downpours.
I opted for Kumho Ecsta SPT to replace them, but this size seems to be discontinued now.

 

All right then, based on the good advice you all have given here is what I will go with:

1. New lug bolts. Seems like cheap insurance.
2. Hub centering rings. Also good idea and only like $10 for the set.
3. Will go with 205 tires in front, think that I might try for 225 in the rear.
4. Didn't know that the ZE 502 was that old! Still trying to decide on a tire, any other suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks again everyone for all the help!

 

I don't mean to sound like a dumbass.....but what are hub centering rings?? Anyone have a picture?? I have changed wheels to aftermarket on so many vehicles I have lost count, but have never heard of these centering rings!

 

Hubcentric rings are not required, they are there to center the lug nut holes on the wheels with the studs so the wheel would sit properly.

 

i want to buy some Hubcentric rings for the fb (i have these rewinds as well)...i currently do not have these rings on my rewinds and it has not been a problem. Ive had one person complain about it but that was when i got my tires rotated the last time LOL.

 

^JLB can supply them for only $10.00 a set.

 

Do make sure that they fit flush on the hubs. You may have to grind off some of the inner lip. otherwise, they cant sit flush due to the radius edge between the hub and the rotor face.

 

Ordered the full package from JLB. Only problem is that I won't be back in California until the middle of November! Will post pics then.

 

anyone know what options i might have for making a set of konigs rewinds fit on a '79 SA? i haven't tried fitting mine yet because i don't have the right lug studs, i ordered those, but i've been reading that there is some issues with tires contacting the springs on the front tires when they are mounted. anyone?

 

I have had no problems with my REWINDS on my SA. It’s a close fit but there is no rubbing.

 

ok, a couple of questions. what offset and size wheels and tires are you running and do you still have the original suspension and everything else. thanks.

 

Konig Rewinds are 15x7, with an offset of +20. Most everyone uses 205/50/15 tires. My suspension is stock. Here is what they look like.

 

i was wondering about fitment on an SA (79 & 80) i know the front suspension is apperntly different. but it definitly looks good. can't wait to get mine on.

 

johnfoothill is right, I'm running BF Goodrich KDW 205/50/ZR15 with not issues. I'm not using any hub rings, I did switch over to bolts . . . it was a direct fit. The main difference between the FB and the SA is the front springs. There was only one member with an SA that was having a problem with them rubbing (If I remember right)


Here are what they look like on my SA