Here is a set of 14 by 6.5 Type B Watanabe's on ebay. These are a great fit on non flared z cars. I emailed the seller and he told me that they are type B. I thought they were, but I had to make sure. That means that these have a +14.5mm offset. If anyone is looking for a set of Watanabe's for their non-flared Z, these are a nice size and offset. I believe that Guus Van Der Bohl has these same size and offset Watanabe's on his rally Z, but you would have to make sure with him. Hopefully someone will pick these up. Any price under 1k is good for these wheels as long as they are in great shape, and I bet they can be had for much less.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4646154485&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3ARTQ%3AUS%3A1

-Ben

Here is another nice set of Watanabe's, but I prefer only the 14 by 7j wheels of this set. They are 14 by 7j type B (+8mm). They are a perfect fit for the front or rear wheels.

The 14 by 6j wheels are not as desirable for Z's in my opinion because of the lip. They have a very positive offset and they are not as classic as the solid rim with out the spokes continuing onto it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-AE86-Watanabe-114-3X4-2-14X6-2-14X7-Trueno_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43954QQihZ019QQitemZ8070366919QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

-Ben

picture of Z with 14 by 7j type B wheels on front:

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=19092&cat=500&ppuser=3738

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=19092&cat=500&ppuser=3738

Here is a set of 14 by 6.5 Type B Watanabe's on ebay. These are a great fit on non flared z cars. I emailed the seller and he told me that they are type B. I thought they were, but I had to make sure. That means that these have a +14.5mm offset. If anyone is looking for a set of Watanabe's for their non-flared Z, these are a nice size and offset. I believe that Guus Van Der Bohl has these same size and offset Watanabe's on his rally Z, but you would have to make sure with him. Hopefully someone will pick these up. Any price under 1k is good for these wheels as long as they are in great shape, and I bet they can be had for much less.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4646154485&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3ARTQ%3AUS%3A1

Ben QUOTE]

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but it will help me pose a question. I have been looking for a set of Watanabe wheels to give my car a different look from pure stock. There is currently a set of Watanabe 14 x 6.5 +14.5 offset for sale on ebay. If my calculations are correct the backspacing would be 110mm.

RS Watanabe Wheels Black Type B 6 5 x 14 Offset 14 5 | eBay

I currently have a set of 14 x 4.5 stock steel wheels on my car and have measured the backspacing at 85mm. After crawling under the car with a ruler, the clearance between the tire sidewall and the front spring perch is 25mm. That would mean that the maximum backspacing for a purely stock suspended 240z is 85mm + 25mm = 110mm.

The inference here is that these Watanabe wheels would be a "great fit", but not if my figuring is correct. PLease tell me where I have gone wrong

in my analysis. My first choice for Watanabe wheels has been the 14 x 6.5 Type A with +9.5mm offset which has a 105mm backspacing giving me 5mm of clearance. The only reason I would go with 6.5" wide instead of 7" is there is a larger choice of tires that legally fit 6.5", although they would have slightly less dish.

These also are much less $$$$ than purchasing new which is also a good incentive for these ebay wheels.

Thanks for any help.

Dan

Edited September 29, 201410 yr by AZ-240z

I picked up a set of 14x6j type B wheels some time ago, Dan. They are very nice. You mentioned considering a type A wheel. Thought I would post pictures of the difference. Eiji was a huge help to me when I bought my set. Helped me get lug nuts and center caps.

I picked up a set of 14x6j type B wheels some time ago, Dan. They are very nice. You mentioned considering a type A wheel. Thought I would post pictures of the difference. Eiji was a huge help to me when I bought my set. Helped me get lug nuts and center caps.

Thanks, Chris. I think there has been some confusion about the differences of type A & type B wheels. I had initially thought that

it was the difference in design of the spokes as shown in your two illustrations, type A being the right picture where the spokes stop

on top of the rim, and type B being the left picture with the spokes continue down the sides of the rim.

Then, after reading some of Alan's comments here and other gleaned information, I have concluded that the difference between

type A & B has entirely to do with the different offsets available, A being lesser offsets and B being greater. What do you think?

Case in point. If you go to the following web site for Watanabe,

Watanabe Racing Wheels - Home

and go to "matching data", scroll down to S30 and you will see that the recommended Watanabe wheels for the S30 are

type A on the front and type B on the rear in there respective sizes. I don't think they would recommend different wheel

styles for front and back of the car.

What is the offset of your Watanabes, Chris? Any thoughts about my fitment conclusions above with the +14.5mm offset on

14 x 6.5" wheels and the 110mm backspacing? I would really like to pick those Watanabes up, but not if they are that close

to rubbing on the spring perchs in front. The clearance on the rear strut is no problem.

Eiji is great to work with, so maybe if I commit to new sets of lugs and caps, he may offer some insight into my dilemma.

Edited September 30, 201410 yr by AZ-240z

What do I think? I think I have my 'A's and 'B's mixed up! And I also thought it was a spoke style issue but what you point out, Dan, is perfectly logical. So I guess I have to admit that I don't know squat about all this high-tech offset and backspacing lingo!

So, I went out to the shop and measured mine. Turns out I have 14x6.5j type As! Surprise! I have Toyo Spectrum radials mounted - P185/70 R14s. Some time ago, I loaned my wheels and tires to a friend (280Z) while he had his wheels done. No issues. I'm going to have to read up on the offset explanation, evidently I don't understand what I think I do, however my roughly measured backspacing ( back of center plate to rim edge ) is roughly 105 mm. Does that help?

I'll change the titles on my pictures!

Sounds like I'm on the right track then, Chris. So, your 14 x 6.5j 'A's should have a +9.5 offset. That would calculate out to 4.125" or 105mm

of packspacing which would give Her Majesty 5mm of clearance between the front spring perches and tire sidewalls. Ever crawl under her

skirts to check that out?

As much as I would like to get those Watanabe 14 x 6.5 'B's with +14.5mm of offset, just sounds like, with 110mm of backspacing,

it's gonna rub the tires.

The search continues! These Watanabes new to include a set of lugs and center caps would run about $2200.

Your findings about your wheels helps a lot, Chris.

Yea, well...there is no fender on 26th to crawl up under...and no suspension to mount a wheel on either! We're still "restorating".