Tech Article - Wheel Fitment - 18x9

[jsa]

This is going to be picture heavy and a series of posts.

I've spent some time measuring up the wheels currently fitted to my Escos, to determine what 18x9 options will fit for the replica thread that is ongoing.

First off some specs on the car as it is at the moment.

It is OEM suspension with the exception of;
* Koni shocks
* Lowered ride height, supposedly 25mm front and back
* Castor adjusted as far forward as the swaybar permits at 6mm.

Presently the wheels on it are 18x8" ET25 Revolutions, fitted with Toyo Proxes T1S 225/40-18. Tread width is ~206mm, and bag width is ~232mm.

To take measurements from the external bodywork to the wheel/tyre I hung 2 plumb bobs on the axle centreline and set a vertical laser line on the front are rear plumb lines.

[jsa]

These are the distances from the guard (at axle centre line) to right front wheel & tyre.

20mm
21mm
8mm
5mm

[jsa]

These are the distances from the guard (at axle centre line) to left front wheel & tyre.

21mm
22mm
2mm
0mm

[jsa]

Front Left Full Lock - Sway Bar.
21mm

Front Left Full Lock - inner guard at back
16mm

[jsa]

Front Right Full Lock - Inner Guard at front
25mm

[jsa]

Front Right Full Lock - Sway Bar
23mm

Front Right Full Lock - Inner guard at rear
17mm

[JHS]

A lot of effort gone into measuring there...

The simple answer is that 9x18" ET20 fits, got 3 Escorts here with them. 225/40, 235/40, 245/35 and 255/35 tyre sizes have all been tried. 2 of these cars have H&R monotube kits consisting of coilovers up front and normal springs and shocks at the rear. The last one has normal shocks and springs, the suspension cup is trimmed at the front, same as you have to do to fit several other wheels. So they do get very close to the shock absorber at the front, but they do fit. 9x18" ET20 with a 245/35-18 tyre is a good combination IMO.


Pictures of mine with 225/40 tyres on 9x18" ET20





The same rim, but with 255/35-18 tyre

[jsa]

Front Left Full Lock - Inner Guard At Front
29mm

[jsa]

At full droop, all the above clearances increased.

[jsa]

OE Strut - Wheel
17mm+6mm=23mm

Edited - No brake rotor installed, add 6mm. Now similar clearance to Koni.

[jsa]

Koni Strut - Wheel
22mm

[jsa]

Right Rear Full Droop - Inner Guard
45mm

Right Rear Full Droop - Trailing Arm
31mm

Left Rear is 40mm and 33mm respectively

[jsa]

Right rear normal ride height to inner guard.
35mm

Left 30mm

[jsa]

Left Rear Tyre to guard at top.
Left Rear wheel to guard at top
Left Rear wheel to guard at axle height.
17mm
19mm
6mm

Right rear distances within 0.5mm or left

[jsa]

To simulate a 9" wide rim with 25mm offset, I've added a half inch of spacers, pushing the wheel face out 12.7mm.

All pics from here on are with the 1/2" spacer installed.