Thread: Wheel spacers for FCs

Originally Posted by taff

hi diana, i know this thread is about forward controls but i was refering to the stresses placed on my disco where no more than putting 35's on it.(the disco)

sorry for the confusion - i should have made my statement clearer.

jason

Thanks Jason

I know that I get quite confused at times trying to work out the comparitive sizes of all the various tyres and their aspect ratios then converting from Metric to Imperial and then US.

It is also somewhat true that a lot of people talk about 35" tyres being big are unaware that the original tyre on some of the earlier Land Rovers were even bigger than 35" as standard. (I'm talking about the 3 forward control models and the 1 Ton model not sold in Australia.)

Not knowing if this was the case with your post, and thoughts were to clarify any misunderstandings.

Originally Posted by brookvale

Just searched and found local NZ regs say:
Fitting of or modification to: LVV certification is not required provided that:
Aftermarket wheel fitments • the wheels:
– are a known and reputable brand non-OE item, and
– would be considered an appropriate fitment for the vehicle type by the wheel manufacturer, and
– are not modified, and
– spacers or adaptors are not fitted.

Certification cost anywhere from $450 upwards depending on the modifications.

I'll not muck around - I'll stick with vanilla LR rims...

Neil

That's bad luck about the adapters, however you would still be permitted to fit the strawberry LR rims off the late 2Bs without coming into conflict with the authorities. Because that is the part specified for all Series Forward Controls in the 1972 parts catalogue.

Diana

2B rims? - sure thing - if only they were just lying around in all the shops here...
But then I could sneakily get my wheel repairer to shift the centres on mine...

Originally Posted by brookvale

2B rims? - sure thing - if only they were just lying around in all the shops here...

The sad thing is the cost of shipping. John Craddock and Dunsfold's in the UK have had some NOS ones lately and in the 1970's and '80s there were lots available as spares out of the Land Rover Australia.

These days, you find them on all sorts of Land Rovers over here. I got three off a Defender owner and another three and a couple of pretend ones off a regular Series owner, so you just have to keep your eyes peeled and know what you are looking for. If you get your ones re-set then on the back side, the centre disk if moved so that there is a little lip of about 1/4".

The other option is to have the centres on Series I Discovery (7") rims reversed. If you look at the pic below, this is my friend Ken's 6 X 6 FC project and the front rim is a standard Disco rim and the rear one is a centre reversed Disco rim. They only cost about $50 each to have done.



The big problem is the valve stem is then on the inside, however if you have long stem truck valves fitted, they can poke through one of the slots in the rim.

Diana

Ken's truck - nice job! Will both rears be powered ?

There just happens to be 4 Disco wheels for sale $100. I'll put in a bid!

Originally Posted by brookvale

Ken's truck - nice job! Will both rears be powered ?

There just happens to be 4 Disco wheels for sale $100. I'll put in a bid!

Neil

Ken's has had a history similar to yours, SIIA powered by 3.5 V8 and LT95.

With the new project, he has changed all the axles to the wider track of the Range Rover and 3.54 diffs. The suspension is Range Rover coils and radius arms etc.

Yes it will be powered on all axles. The 3rd axle was cut inside of the spring mounts, the diff moved to the LHS and the pinion inclined slightly, the drive to the third axle comes from the rear PTO outlet using the 6X6 drive from an Australian Army Perenty 6X6 via a split prop shaft with a bearing mounted on the chassis and spicer joint above the 2nd axle.

It will be a great vehicle when completed, I can't wait to see it!

Diana

What will the rear suspension be? Hopefully something smarter and more articulate than a four spring.