ResinRocket Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Hello, I've been looking into steel wheels for my Equipe GT4S. From what I can gather there are four different widths available: 3.5J (what I have), 4.5J, 5J and 5.5J.I know the 5.5J wheels are sought after, but are 5J's more easily / cheaply available? Or should I be looking for 4.5J?I've been looking on eBay but I've only found one set of the rare 5.5's which are beyond my budget! Are there any other places where I could find 4.5J or 5J steel wheels?I've got a set of Slotmags which I was going to fit, but I think I'd prefer a set of wider steel wheels instead.Any help would be much appreciated! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizzy Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 breakers are the best bet, try spitfire graveyard. spitbitz is another, not sure if they're still going though. or even a local place might have some. i got mine from a local triumph specialist, cost me a fiver each, 4.5j i think they are. they needed cleaning and painting, but i wasnt complaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firebobby Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Spitbitz are still in buisness and i found the guy o be very helpful, :) www.spitbitz.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heraldcoupe Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Which pattern wheels are you looking for, the original slotted style, or the later types with holes around the circumference?Cheers,Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResinRocket Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 Thanks for the pointers, guys. I shall check them out.Bill, the wheels I've seen have been the "oval hole" type. I didn't know the original slotted style came in wider sizes to be honest!I don't mind which type they are really, but ideally 5Jx13's (well, 5.5J ideally but everyone wants those and the prices reflect that!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 The 5j spit 1500 wheels tend to fetch real money these days. Traders ask almost as much as 5.5j versions, certainly at stoneleigh last year. May get lucky if you can find somebody breaking a late spitfire. 4.5j whels should be easy in either pattern and very little money. Where are you? the stoneleigh spares day is a very good place to try, especially the garage clearance stalls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResinRocket Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 Ah, I was worried 5J's might fetch a premium! I could always save some pennies for them but I think 4.5J would be perfectly adequate. I've been reading about the effects of wider rubber on the rear suspension with the fixed rear spring- although my car's no road burner I would like to make the best of the handling.I'm based in Nottingham and was planning to go to Stoneleigh - the car's getting paint first, so the wheels aren't a priority yet. The ones that are on it will keep it mobile until I find what I need! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyb Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-x-Triumph-Wheels-Triumph-Vitesse-Mk-1-13-inch-/170599606338?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27b8876842Vitesse should be 4.5J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResinRocket Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 Hmm, looking at that auction, the plot thickens - I have 155 R13 tyres on my car which means either that I already have 4.5J steel wheels, or the 155's are fitted to 3.5J which doesn't really inspire me with confidence as they are really too wide for that size wheel.The car has been converted to a Vitesse 6 engine so it's possible that they also put the Vitesse 4.5J wheels on too. I shall investigate tomorrow (presumably the size is stamped somewhere)If that's the case it looks like to go wider, I'll have to go more expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkB Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Weller produce new steel wheels 5.5 x13 can't find a price. http://www.motorsport-events.co.uk/news/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/wheel-white.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkuser Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Unfortunately the size is stamped in the well.A large, memory, external caliper can save you removing the tyre if you have access to one.Another way with wheel off the car is a straight edge down each side of tyre and measure tyre width and distance rim is in from each straight edge.Probably easier to lie the wheel on a flat surface and use one straight edge to measure from turning the wheel over to get the setback for the other side, which should be the same with a good tyre.Must remember to subtract two rim metal thicknesses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizzy Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 the guy at my local tyre place, measured my wheels with a guage while they were on the car, and proceeded to laugh as it turned out i had 3.5j. perhaps you can persuade a tyre shop just to measure them quickly ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 93 wrote:Weller produce new steel wheels 5.5 x13 can't find a price. http://www.motorsport-events.co.uk/news/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/wheel-white.jpgAre these still being made?If so, it will be necessary to fit bigger studs and wheel nuts-big saloon items-straight swap.I have four of these, very nice, obviously newer than the Stanpart or Dunlop items being discussed. Also the holes are larger than the oval holed wheels, so better breathing for the brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_sad_anorak Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 My wheels are stamped 13 x 5J x 39 which should be visable on the raised portion out from the wheel nuts and cover. There are three other numbers/codes - 79458, 1221 and PKC1327. I have just bought a set of 4.5J's from spitzbits - nice people and very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResinRocket Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thanks for the replies and advice. I forgot to check the wheel size today, I was busy fitting electronic ignition.I've managed to get some Formula Ford Weller steel wheels, and have re-homed the Slotmags. I'm still going to investigate what wheels I have on my car tomorrow if I remember! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieB Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 2924 wrote:My wheels are stamped 13 x 5J x 39 What wheels are those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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