RS Watanabe R-Type Offsets

[Stain]

If you're like me, when you see a sexy dished Watanabe rim the first thing you scream is "OFFSET?!!" and much to our disappointment most of the time the seller has no clue...
But fear not! As there is a simple way of working it out. http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/smile.gif

First of all lets just look at the different types of classic Watanabe 8-spoke rims so we know which one we're interested in. The current line up of consists of 5 main types;

http://www.rs-watanabe.co.jp/images/8supo-ku/f8type.jpg
F8 Type. Available in 14" ~ 16" x 6J ~ 9J

http://www.rs-watanabe.co.jp/images/8supo-ku/ff15.jpg
F8F Type. Available in 12" ~ 16" x 4.5J ~ 8.5J

http://www.rs-watanabe.co.jp/images/collar/collar4.jpg
CV Type. Available in 13" x 5J ~ 6J

http://www.rs-watanabe.co.jp/images/8supo-ku/ab.jpg
A/B Type. Available in 10" ~ 14" x 5J ~ 7.5J


So all of those are for FWD or modern cars, and don't really excite us... But then we come to the next type...
The R Type!
http://www.rs-watanabe.co.jp/images/8supo-ku/r.jpg
This sucker goes from 13" all the way up to 16", with widths from 8J to 12J and offsets, wait for it, from -0 to -57!

Now here is lies the problem... how the hell do you know what is what when it comes to these deep dished Watanabes? As unlike SSR, Watanabe thought it smart not to label the offset on their wheels, sure you can get a ruler out and try the hard way... but what if you don't have the rims handy to do that? What if you're buying them online and knowing the offset is crucial to laying down the cash, or walking away?
Well! I have the answer for you!

As it happens R Type Watanabes are 1 piece forged rims, and have pre-defined offsets according to their width, no multiple offsets for the same width, and no custom jobbies.
So just get to the juicy numbers! I hear you scream? Sure, why not. http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/smile.gif

13" & 14"

8J -6
8.5J -13
9J -19
9.5J -25
10J -32
10.5J -38
11J -44
11.5J -51
12J -57

15"

8J -0
8.5J -6
9J -13
9.5J -19
10J -25
10.5J -32
11J -38
11.5J -44
12J -51

16"

8J -0
8.5J -6
9J -13
9.5J -19

All R Types by default come in 4x114.3, but there are a few other PCDs available so be careful.
This however is marked on the back of the rim, so shouldn't be hard to find out.

Now finally here's a great little link (http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp) for you to work out how far these suckers will stick out compared to your current rims, or to assist you in choosing a full set that will sit outside your guards at equal lengths. http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/tongue.gif
I hope this helps out a little, as I was pulling my hair out trying to work this stuff out before I stumbled on this easy fix! http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/smile.gif

[Julz01]

nice find the r type look sweet, i bet the cost a mint though

[Stain]

If its a R-Type, yes. http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/tongue.gif
Of course it could be a 14" and they measured with a ruler and you can forgive em for being 4mm out http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/emoticons/smile.gif

On another note, when measuring rims with rulers/tape measures etc, the width is taken from inner lip to inner lip (where the tyre sits) NOT from the outter edge, as you'll find a 8" rim apears to be a 9" when measuring from the outside edges.

[slydar]

the problem is earlier rims i am pretty sure were available in different offsets, which confuses the issue.

what i mean to say is, say 5, or 10 years ago, you could get a 15x9 in a 0, where as now it is only available in -13.

[rokutofu]

will +22 offset wantanabe's fit straight onto an 86 without any spacers??

[chapl]

will +22 offset wantanabe's fit straight onto an 86 without any spacers??[/b]

yes, but it will look very ghey

[haado gei]

it is best to use some spacers

[lccccc]

i got some rs watanabes, the biggest ones. a full foot wide. 14x12s -57