At the risk of attack, I ask this question...

[georgethedog]

I have a Gen 1 with original rims. Does anyone know the exact diminsions of the front and back rims? I would really like to put something on the car that is more "interesting", but not at the expense of new tires also. So, I would buy new (or slightly used) rims and put the tires from the old set on and store the originals, which by the way are about as perfect as they could be. Thanks for any information.

 

[georgethedog]

I just answered most of my own question. I found the dimensions in the service manual. Front 10"x17" Rear 13"x17" OK, that was easy, but in the service manual it mentions that if a person were to replace them, they should with a set that has the equivalent diameter, width, and offset. OK, I figured out the first two, but the service manual made no mention of "offset". *** is offset (I assume it is for brake clearance, etc.) and what would the amount be??? Remeber guys, I'm new to Vipers. I'm as just an 'ole 60's & 70's Mopar guy and we threw whatever the hell we wanted on our cars; right, wrong, or indifferent. I want to be right with a Viper. Also, if anyone has any ideas about rims for my car, I am open to ideas. Thanks.

 

[Freddog11]

You're right, in a way, about the offset. It is the amount of the wheel that is outwards of the wheels mounting point. In other words, how much it will stick out from the car. You need the correct offset to clear the brakes as well as clear the inner fender liners. It can also affect the handling of the vehicle. Most of the places that you will order new wheels will be able to look up the offset of the factory wheels and put you in the right direction. Buying used wheels can be tricky, although with the Viper, there aren't too many cars with the same wheel sizes so they are likely to be the same. Call Jon B and ask him what he's got for wheels, then you won't have to worry about it. He'll be sure to set you up with the right sizes.

 

[DrumrBoy]

I agree, call JB - he'll make it easy for you.

If you want to learn how to do the calculation, there's a recent piece in these forums about offset....or just google "offest" or "backspacing" to get the calculation methodology...easy to do once the wheel is off.

 

[RT/ED]

I upgraded to the 1997 5-spoke wheel that came on the1996 -1999 Gen II. I believe that there are two versions of this wheel (cast and forged) forged obviously being the stronger wheel. I have also seen Gen I's with the newer 5 -spoke design used on the 2000 - 2002 Gen II. This assume you want to stay with stock rims that came on the viper.

 

[chimazo]

Unless Gen1's have some funky quirk, you should be able to run any Gen2 or Gen3 rim (like Gen2's can).

Seeing as you want to re-use your 17" tires, your best bet is going with the 5 spokes from '96-'98. It will be tough to find used aftermarket rims in a 17" diameter, but they do pop up once in a while.

 

[georgethedog]

Thanks everyone. I will continue to look and if anyone has any more information please post it. Thanks.

 

[DJ'sviper]

I have a Gen I and put Gen III rims on. 18" fronts and 19" rears. They look great and I have a lot better traction. I would recommed going with 18" all around as the back are real close to plastic inner wheel well. Only about a 1/4" from the front of the tire to the body. Got them off ebay and the seller took photos of them in the sun so they looked good. They are full of wheel rash but I really don't care for car shows. I like to drive, so I don't care. the overall look is so great nobody seems to notice an if they do I don't care.

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

I am leary of taking the old tires off to reuse them on new wheels. The process is rough and might damage the tires. I would look in the VCA classifieds and you can find wheels with tires for a fraction of new that you could just put on and easily switch back if needed. I got curb rash on a rim after a minor off road excursion and the collision shop got a new rim but reused the old tire. A few weeks later the same tire that already had a slow leak blew up on my wife when she was on the highway.

 

[Jack B]

I just answered most of my own question. I found the dimensions in the service manual. Front 10"x17" Rear 13"x17" OK, that was easy, but in the service manual it mentions that if a person were to replace them, they should with a set that has the equivalent diameter, width, and offset. OK, I figured out the first two, but the service manual made no mention of "offset". *** is offset (I assume it is for brake clearance, etc.) and what would the amount be??? Remeber guys, I'm new to Vipers. I'm as just an 'ole 60's & 70's Mopar guy and we threw whatever the hell we wanted on our cars; right, wrong, or indifferent. I want to be right with a Viper. Also, if anyone has any ideas about rims for my car, I am open to ideas. Thanks.

What tires (catalog #) are now mounted, that may answer the question.