So, I have only been a consumer of this forum for my 120K 86 GL Wagon; now I will hopefully contribute to the cause of getting out of using 13" rims. Instead of trying to find a full set of pugs, or labor for hours and spending the money to convert to a different set of hubs or suspension to use other wheels for better tire size.; listen to this:

 

About a year ago I realized the donut under the hood had a 15" rim, so I finally rounded up 4 more matching donut rims and a set of used tires 205/70R15 and mounted and balanced them. Bolted them up and did my first couple days of driving this week (Alaska warmed up early this year). They work great! I keep up and pass 75mph traffic at under 3K RPM's in 5th with little shifting to 4th on big hills (like normal anyways). Granted they bubble out a little on the 5" wide rim and barely rub the front of my rear fender on bumps. Otherwise, turning and straight driving with 30 year old stock struts these donuts are just what I was looking for.

 

The 175/70R13 to these have dropped my commuting RPM's by almost 750. I threw a set of salt drag hub caps on it for a fuel economy, but any 15" wheel cover would probably work. I am going to find another set of rims and buy some studded tires for next winter. Even though my current studded tires are the 185/80R13's.

 

I have not heard anyone else using these as 15" rims, but I imagine the salvage yards still have some donuts out there for cheap. Check it out. Let me know what you think.

 

My next thing to figure out the right struts to use to get a stock lift, since I should replace the struts anyway and maybe I can get a taller tire on it without trimming.

 

Thank you everyone for contributing to this forum, it has been truly helpful in so many ways, I hope my post does the same for others.

I want to see a picture of this!

you not talking about the space saver skinny rims and wheel barrow like tyres are you ??

 

I have three so far

Here is a picture in pdf, and yes they are the skinny space savers. I dismounted the donut tire and mounted a standard passenger car tire.

86GLAK.pdf

Edited March 25, 201511 yr by 86GLAK

I don't know if the factory 15" wheels in 4X140 pattern, which are intended for Temporary use, could survive a huge pothole bump; those are thin enough to be a Concern, also I bet that the Tire's Lip doesn't seat Completely on that Narrow 5" wide wheels... Do not misunderstand me, it is Not Criticism, but I really believe that what you've done, could be Dangerous.

 

Better get some of these:

 

~► http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/150474-15-4x140-steel-wheels-aa-customs/

 

Kind Regards.

Bumblebeast,

 

Thanks for the concern, I will look into the thickness. They felt and looked like like any other rim when I mounted and balanced them, just narrower. I will compare them with the factory 13" and let you all know.

Edited March 25, 201511 yr by 86GLAK

I ran a set of 14" space saver spares from 2wd models for a long time with no issues. And then I sold them to a friend who beat the snow out of them without issues. And they were driven daily on the road as well.

I've only driven on them in an off road only field hatch. They took a beating using miss matched tires on a car with no fenders. I dunno how they will wold up on the road, I know I bent them pretty bad on a few logs and rocks. They held together though

Not DOT approved for highway permanent use.

 

Weak rims and too skinny for that size tire.

 

Bad idea.

... I know I bent them pretty bad on a few logs and rocks ...

 

Not DOT approved for highway permanent use.

 

Weak rims and too skinny for that size tire.

 

Bad idea.

 

Exactly what I Wrote above, Avoid using them on Highway, it IS Dangerous.

 

Kind Regards.

......... Granted they bubble out a little on the 5" wide rim and barely rub ...........

4" wide

 

The stock 13"s are 5.5"

I used a 205 75 14 on mine. Like I said, they got heat hard, and then driven on daily on 2 different cars. No issues. No bent wheels, and I only ever blew one tire, and that was spinning on rocky terrain and I sliced the slide wall.

 

Probably not the best option, but it was the only one I had at the time.

That's one way to do it, but I'm of the general consensus that it's not that safe. I don't the T-type rims even have a safety bead. That's the bead that keeps the tire from coming off the rim when it's flat.

 

You should just be aware that in the event you (god forbid) were involved in an accident, I don't think you'd have any coverage on discovery of those shoes on the car.

but thanks for sharing the idea and actually carrying it out. I had thought maybe just on the front for a pro stocker look. Next trick could be to do dual rims on all four corners for added safety

Well dang, I thought I stumbled across something no one really thought of. Turns out its probably not the best idea from all the input. Thanks everyone!

It was definitely a good thought! Who wouldn't want easy to find 15 inch rims that just bolt on lol. I mean, there's been a couple people above who claim to have put many miles on regular tires mounted to the t-type rim. Maybe you just have to research it a lot more. Legality, reliability, safety, etc. Speaking for myself, those things I said before are just assumptions, I could be wrong. Either way though it was thoughtful to share the idea, thank you

yeah that was a pretty good idea, like what I75eya said, would have never thought of that, my revs are pretty bad on the highway also, i think everybody that owns these old subarus have it, unless you modify something to put bigger tires, also i gotta ask, where are those wheel covers from?? i saw a set on ebay about 6months ago but sold for a ridiculous $280. are they just aftermarket or is it from some rare subaru or car that fits subaru?

I just found the one's I think I purchased couple of years ago, here's the link: 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Full-Moon-Hub-Caps-Racing-Disc-Salt-Flats-Full-Wheel-Covers-Spun-Stainless-/221350099738?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item33897e7b1a&vxp=mtr

 

Try searching "15" wheel covers salt" or full baby moons, in whatever rim size you have.

 

Looks like they are about $70 plus shipping

 

Hope this helps. I am going to do some measurements on the rim thickness compared to original ones.

I just found the one's I think I purchased couple of years ago, here's the link:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Full-Moon-Hub-Caps-Racing-Disc-Salt-Flats-Full-Wheel-Covers-Spun-Stainless-/221350099738?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item33897e7b1a&vxp=mtr

 

Try searching "15" wheel covers salt" or full baby moons, in whatever rim size you have.

 

Looks like they are about $70 plus shipping

 

Hope this helps. I am going to do some measurements on the rim thickness compared to original ones.

thanks! wonder why the other ones sold for so much, oh well

So, I just used a rotor gauge to measure the rim thickness on both the temporary rim and factory 13" rim. They are about the same at .125". The temporary rim also appears to have all the same curves and lips for mounting tires as factory 13" rim, so I am assuming that the tire safety bead for blow-outs is on the temporary (or am I missing something?) . And I stand corrected with rim width of 4". So are the temporary 15" rims still dangerous to use? Your thoughts and concerns are still welcome here.

Edited March 28, 201511 yr by 86GLAK

The shape and thickness is not the whole story (although interesting). The quality of the steel used is also important.

 

I have seen EJ subaru temporary steelies used for ice racing. 2 bent up at the first snowbank (was a pretty good hit, but I've seen regular steelies hold up to similar many times).

 

 

Not really any way to document whether they are truly strong "enough" for use. They were not intended for long term use. There are hundreds of stories of people using them without trouble. But even still, not for me. 6-lug swap is too easy.

Not really any way to document whether they are truly strong "enough" for use. They were not intended for long term use. There are hundreds of stories of people using them without trouble. But even still, not for me. 6-lug swap is too easy.

Interesting way to put it... But I think the fact the space saver rims were speed limited and for temporary use according to Subaru DOES document their strength!

Is it actually the wheel, or the tire that is for temporary use? Just curious.

Yep, it certainly could be just the tire. In fact, I'm sure the tire is definitely lower-quality. But whether the wheel is as well, or not, is too difficult to prove either way.

funny that the tire is probably of low quality, how to make it even more unsafe to use? stick it in the engine bay! so it can experience hot and cold on a daily basis, but lets say that the rim is of good quality, (IM NOT SAYING IT IS, SO DONT TRY IT!!) would putting a good quality tire make it a normal wheel like the rest?