Rear wheels set in more than front?

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Abletobecain
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Rear wheels set in more than front?

Post by Abletobecain »

I know there was a thread (or some comments at least) somewhere about how the rear wheels are set in more than the front wheels but I can't find it now.

Is there an advantageous reason for that? I'm thinking about putting some 1/4" or so spacers on the back just to flush the wheel with the fender like it is on the front. Is this a bad idea for any reason?
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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Mattel
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My tercel:: 1988 Corolla 4wd Wagon (AKA Corolla All-trac) 5speed, AC, Power Sunroof, Windows, Mirrors, Steering, Locking, Diff Lock, 14" Corolla SX Alloys with Silica Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, 210,000kms
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Re: Rear wheels set in more than front?

Post by Mattel »

Its to do with the rear axle for the 4wd being a proven part from an earlier (narrower) car. (in this case Corolla KE70 - last of the rear drives bar the AE86). This is classic Toyota and makes sense as parts and reliability are already known and no new tooling. VW used to do this. swiches on my old mk1 golf are the same as my current VW T3 1990 westfalia

The same axle is used on my current 1989 Corolla Alltrac (and all the way through to 1995) where the tracks are even more noticeable. I think they are around 100mm difference. See this image of my car here. Image

Unfortunately spacers are illegal in many places so be careful!
Previous: 83 Tercel SR5 4wd, 84 Tercel SR5 4wd
88 Corolla 4wd Wagon 5speed, All power options, Fact Sunroof, Diff Lock, 14" SX Alloys, Hankook Tyres, 4afe, King Springs, Upgraded Headlights, Full Synth oils, Tow Bar, 210,000kms
The Professor
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Re: Rear wheels set in more than front?

Post by The Professor »

Ideally, you would have rear wheels with the correct offset to achieve the look you want. Spacers are ok, and completely legal in Washington state, but it really is a band-aid solution to fix track width.
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Petros
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Re: Rear wheels set in more than front?

Post by Petros »

it should not be any problem, make sure you still have enough stud length to get the lug nuts on all the way.
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Abletobecain
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Re: Rear wheels set in more than front?

Post by Abletobecain »

Thanks everyone!
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
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