Wheel Offset - 2002 LS6

All2kool

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I searched high and low for the factory offset for the 2002 LS6 and found nothing. Every seller on EBay selling an OEM wheel failed to indicate the offset. Someone please educate me. Also, what is the range of offset that I can use without compromising the suspension or ride and not have wheels sticking out and looking stupid?
 

They keep stickies at the top of all forums for the most popular and relevant subjects,
possibly you might find your numbers there ...


Others posted in those stickies, the following ...

Remember to add the correct offset for wheels as well. stock is 60mm. You can run a 40mm offset when lowered. The lowest offset I've seen anyone on here run is 38 IIRC.

Since the concept of offset and backspacing tend to confuse people frequently (at least I witness this upon the forums I visit), I'm going to expand upon this, as it's rather vague. Offset is a function of the wheel width and in order to know the proper offset to run on a vehicle, you must know the wheel's width.

The point I am trying to convey is that a 40mm offset on a 9" wheel will fit entirely different than an 8" wheel with a 40mm offset.

This is a no-brainer to those of us familiar with calculating wheel measurements, but like I said, I have witnessed people's confusion with this concept and just wanted to try to clarify that post where I felt it wasn't clear. I meant no offense to your post, pektel. :)








 
1 Single ALY3642U85 Lincoln LS '06, 5 spoke chrome alloy wheel.
Size: 17x7.5
Lugs: 5
Bolt Pattern: 108mm
Offset: 60mm
Lincoln Part Number: 6W4Z1007AA, 6W4J1007AA, 6W4J1007AB or 6W4J1007AC

Via. Hubcaphaven.com.
The power of google search :)
 
Apparently whether it's a 17x7.5 or a 16x7, stock is always 60mm. That offset changes based on wheel width when going with aftermarket wheels though
 
Apparently whether it's a 17x7.5 or a 16x7, stock is always 60mm. That offset changes based on wheel width when going with aftermarket wheels though

Although I do not need new wheels, I really like these and I can retain my current tires, which still have another 20k miles left in them. With offsets in this post listed as 38mm and 60mm, I'm still not clear. And although I appreciate the geometry lesson, I was just looking for a simple answer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351392761774?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
You were given a "geometry" lesson because without knowing the exact wheel you're looking at, we can't tell you a simple answer. Even still, I cannot stress enough that offset does not mean anything without knowing the wheel width, other than knowing anything with negative offset will not fit. Those Sendel S30s will stick out 20mm further than stock.

A 16x5 donut with a 30mm will stick out about the same distance as a stock 16x7 ET60. A 16x8 ET30 will stick out almost 2" further.

It's the same as tire sizes. You know a 16" tire should fit a 16" wheel, but what width or what profile series? You can't just say you need a 16", 60 series profile, you have to say 215mm wide/60 series. A car with 185/60/16 tires will ride 1.5" lower than 245/60/16s, despite both being 60 series.
 
You were given a "geometry" lesson because without knowing the exact wheel you're looking at, we can't tell you a simple answer. Even still, I cannot stress enough that offset does not mean anything without knowing the wheel width, other than knowing anything with negative offset will not fit. Those Sendel S30s will stick out 20mm further than stock.

A 16x5 donut with a 30mm will stick out about the same distance as a stock 16x7 ET60. A 16x8 ET30 will stick out almost 2" further.

It's the same as tire sizes. You know a 16" tire should fit a 16" wheel, but what width or what profile series? You can't just say you need a 16", 60 series profile, you have to say 215mm wide/60 series. A car with 185/60/16 tires will ride 1.5" lower than 245/60/16s, despite both being 60 series.

Thanks. Having the wheel stick out .78" over stock is acceptable to some, but not to me. I will contain my wheel shopping to what will be a direct fit, and the same in size and offset.
 
Unfortunately, you're not going to find much in a 16" wheel. 17s are popular because they're the stock [sport] size. 18s are hit or miss. Factoryish-looking wheels like the Sendels or stock Jag wheels (i.e. not chrome Dubs) are popular in 19s.

This is based on me shopping eBay, Carid, and TireRack
 
I've bought tires from TireRack.com before and was pleased. I'm just not really wanting to upgrade to 17" wheels when my tires are still good for a few more years. TireRack has a nice package of very similar wheels to the Sendel's I referenced earlier and they'll ship them to my door, with Dunlop SP tires, mounted and balanced, for just $950. And that is more than I really want to spend.
 
unfortunately with the odd offset bolt pattern our cars have, finding good wheels that fit are usually not cheap at all, unless of course you find a killer deal from somebody unloading a set...

four wheels with new rubber installed for under a grand isn't really that expensive at all., hell I've spent over $800 on rubber alone for this car.
 
Thanks. Having the wheel stick out .78" over stock is acceptable to some, but not to me. I will contain my wheel shopping to what will be a direct fit, and the same in size and offset.

Your best bet if you want to stay with the 16 inchers and stockish offset look at Jag S-Type wheels. They are a direct fit and the offset is very close (if not exactly) to the LSes (as in just a few millimeters).
 
So I have learned a bit through this thread and am I correct that any wheel from any LS year will fit any year LS?
 
So I have learned a bit through this thread and am I correct that any wheel from any LS year will fit any year LS?

Correct..... Same with the JAg wheels; I have the 18" Tucana's on my wife's '06.
 
Thanks. Having the wheel stick out .78" over stock is acceptable to some, but not to me. I will contain my wheel shopping to what will be a direct fit, and the same in size and offset.

Is there any issue that could arise if one were to change to a 40mm offset wheel and have each wheel .78" further out? I mean, will the ride or integrity of the suspension be compromised by such a small difference? Visually, I can't imagine even it being noticeable.
 
If you're changing wheel size, why not go to 18s?

I'm not a fan of big wheels on smaller cars. I'm fine with the tire to wheel to wheel well ratio at 16" and as I have said, my tires are good for another 20k miles, which is several more years for me. And of course, the larger you go, the more expensive it becomes. And a tire guy once told me that as tire sidewall decreases, ride quality does as well.
 
Is there any issue that could arise if one were to change to a 40mm offset wheel and have each wheel .78" further out? I mean, will the ride or integrity of the suspension be compromised by such a small difference? Visually, I can't imagine even it being noticeable.

Yes.... You will prematurely wear suspension parts.
 
Anything faster than all-OEM wear is "premature"... Even still, everyone's driving habits are different so you'll never really know how much the wheels contributed to the extra wear. Based on you saying you'll drive 20,000 miles over a few years, I wouldn't worry about it considering the rubber's age will probably be the biggest factor. You're looking at small 16/17" wheels, so you're not doing anything crazy.
 
Anything faster than all-OEM wear is "premature"... Even still, everyone's driving habits are different so you'll never really know how much the wheels contributed to the extra wear. Based on you saying you'll drive 20,000 miles over a few years, I wouldn't worry about it considering the rubber's age will probably be the biggest factor. You're looking at small 16/17" wheels, so you're not doing anything crazy.

In my most recent search, I found a table of offset ranges for a Subaru and the range was 20mm. If my stock wheels are 16x7 with 60mm offset then I am fairly certain that going to 16x7 with 40mm offset won't be doing any damage.

As for my driving habits, I drive like an old man. My days of 'sporty' driving are behind me.
 

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