Need Little Wheels

I don't know if you can use trailer wheels, but I do know that you can't use trailer tires...........well you could, but I wouldn't. They are manufactured to way lower standards than passenger vehicle tires. Some trailers use regular wheels and tires.....................................................oh hell, what I'm trying to say is, don't use tires or wheels that were specifically made for trailer use.

The Subaru bolt pattern may still be the same as your 79. You may end up looking into new rims and switching to a more modern tire size. Don't you love it when they change stuff around and render your old stuff useless?

yup... anything made before 1980 must surely have fallen apart or into the hands of a dedicated collector with mega bucks by now so let's not provide ANY support... I'd be mad at Subaru for not keeping the books but I'd be surprised if anyone does at this point...

Even the Subaru forums seem to be lacking in this arena... though I did find http://oldjapanesecar.proboards.com which seems to be a promising resource...

No need to panic,

There must be heaps of Nissan small FWDs, and same Toyotas about.

And you only need 5. No matter the colour. Paint 'em.

Stu.

What model Subi is it?

Leone? Sherpa?

Stu.

Leone, I have one DL and one GL, both Gen 1 1979.

I am rapidly falling in love with them, though one is falling apart faster than I can fix it...

My list of to-do's for these is growing growing growing... Next big project I know is on the horizon will be CV joints... of course that is on the one that is parked for mechanical repairs as opposed to the one that is parked for tires... ahh the joys of buying someone elses old beater...

That is a bulletproof little engine, given half sensible servicing.

If my old father-in -law couldn't kill one they ARE tough.

The guy was not friendly to engines, at all.

Cheers,

Stu.

I wonder how exact the 4" bolt pattern is: 4" = 101.6 mm, or 100 mm ≈ 3.937". Any discrepancy there could result in an off-center wheel, weak attachment, vibration, etc.

The 4X 100MM seems to be a common pattern for lower powered imported cars. I have a book at home that lists the lug patterns for autos and light trucks. If the exact dimension is needed, I can supply --tomorrow.

If you want new tires, try Tirerack.com. They have made a good income out of selling tires by mail. They will probably also have tire size upgrades available fitted with wheels. They are usually reasonable price-wise. Good luck

I can't tell you how many 4 x 100mm 13" wheels I found at the salvage yard... too bad I need 4 x 140mm... (my bad, I was talking out my rear when I posted originally)

Wow! 4x140?

Now I know why you're having trouble finding wheels.

CV aren't so bad. They're available aftermarket, and here only about $60.00 a pair. (I just bought a pair of them for one of my Subis)They come as a kit, including grease and boots and clips.

Here, the best place to get them is from the bearing and seal suppliers, rather than from the auto parts store. Cheaper.

Good luck,

Stu.

4x140mm. You are in trouble. I have a book that covers all North American sold vehicles from 93 to 2002. Only 93 Subaru Loyal used 4x140mm lug pattern. If you are doing CV axles, it may be possible to change the wheel hubs to allow the more common 4x100 lug pattern. Did you try Tire Rack?

However, almost all the old four banger Suburus, pre 1993, had the large pattern. There are probably a few of these in junk yards.

pain in the rear... Well, wish me luck; I'm off to pick-a-part to see if I can find some suitable wheels

You didn't mention whether you'd checked the local junk yards car recycling facilities. You also didn't mentioned whether you'd checked the J. C. Whitney catalog. Here's a link you could check (if you haven't already):

http://www.jcwhitney.com/

I've heard of this JC Whitney catalog... Now I look forward to perusing it.

Thank you.

Google 13" wheels gets a lot of hits!

Too many hits...

so far I have yet to find one that is 4.5" wide and has 4 bolts at 140mm.

easy fixed, pull out the centre split pin you use to change your bearings, and the hub will come out, simply change the hub to a more modern stud pattern. any wreckers can help you.

No don't!

This is an FWD vehicle.

Stu.

Thank you, I will keep that in mind for the future

Pity you aren't hereabouts,

I've got plenty of 'em.

The bolt pattern is the same as the small Nissans and some Toyotas.

You may have to go to 155/65 tyres on 13" rims to have a good supply of them. They'll fit OK on 5j rims.

Try the wreckers.

Remember the FWD cars need sufficient 'offset' to make 'em steerable without power steer. Do you understand the term "scrub radius"? Talk with your tyre supplier about it.

As an interesting thought, I periodically run 205/35x17 alloys on one of my small Toyotas, which was factory fitted with 155/65x13's. It has a 4x4" pattern too.

This is when I want to generate maximum lateral G, but only on dry roads.

In the rain it has enough contact area to do a lot of waterskiing. (Aquaplaning)

Hence only using the big wheels some of the time.

BTW they are, near as dammit, the same rolling radius.

Stu.

Most salvage yards have an interchange book or on line listings. If something else will fit properly and is safe they will know. Do not use trailer wheels on a car standards may not preserve life and limb.

Check with a tire dealer first. Where i live trailer tyres have to be stronger ( a higher load rating ) than car tyres. Obviously this makes other respondents comments null and void. Clearly we can't both be right so you need to ask the people who know in your local area.

or do this;

http://offroadingsubarus.com/6stud_conversion.html

Thank you for the info. Nice link too; though this is a bit more than I feel comfortable undertaking.

The Suburu Justy of about that vintage had 4 x 100mm bolt pattern. I'd be surprised if your bolt pattern was 4 x 4" but stranger things have happened. There is a difference between the two that is too big to ignore.

This thread talks about alternatives for the Justy.

Don't use trailer wheels or trailer tires.

didn't know what I was talking about... it is 4 x 140mm

is it justy j10

Leone DL

Hi all,

Since my last post I have learned a lot about wheels... and I still feel prety ignorant.

Here is what I know...

The original wheels are 4 bolt 140mm 13" x 4.5" J

Couldn't find them at the junk yard; lots of 13 x 4.5 nothing with the right bolt spacing... on the upside, once I knew what I was looking for I found some... already on the car... just have to change the tires...

Sometimes I am super special

Thank you all for helping me find my brain.

I still need to find one, since the spare is missing, but I am now armed to more effectively search..

I was given some old Subaru wheels years ago... big bolt circle. I keep stuff, and probably still have them. Too far from you, but others are still out there somewhere.

After you blast the rust and paint off, a rim can be cut apart on a lathe, and the center welded into a nice straight 'ring' part. In this way your old centers and the car can live forever. VW used 4x130 from 1968 onwards for several years. 4x4.5 is a popular size (60s mustang, toyota, datsun, triumph, Suzuki swift 1980-99, Hyundai accent. 4x4.25 is also popular on early hyundai, mustang from 1974 to the 90s, pinto. It would be easier to find real Sube rims than to switch hubs front and rear, although I am sure an afternoon in a parts yard with tools and some dial calipers would find you a pair of each that would fit.

I took the rear drums from an early audi fox (VW) in cast iron, and drilled 12x1.5mm holes in 4.25 and 4.5" circles, added to the OEM 4x100mm. I use this on one of my trailers, allowing me to use, as a spare, whatever rim is in the trunk of the vehicle I am using to tow. I could have cut 4x140mm if I had an interest. If you have a similar cast drum you could have it tapped for another pattern, like 4x4.5" or 4x100mm.

David