New Wheels

Hey, you think you have problems , my wheels on Silver are 18 by 12 at the front and 18 by 12 and a quarter at the rear,this kinda gives Silver the handling to be wild, one commentator in Portland at the ABFM Giant Slalom said, " Art Dickenson drives this car like it was a Mini, not a 4,000 lb monster" ps these wheels are kinda Kustom, but do the job,

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\""

The nicest kit is from V12 in the US, originally designed by Paul Barnham, this is the one I would like, instead right now I have applied the Trans Am Style to "Silver", in my own garage of course,

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\""

Trent,

The largest wheel Jaguar ever put on an XJS was an 8x16" used on the 1993 XJR-S. That came with 245/55-ZR16's on the rear. No wonder your having interference problems. Short of doing body mods to the fender wells, I don't see how you're going to make them work. Jaguar never used a wheel larger than 16" on the XJS. 8x16 was probably pushing it, 7x16 looks like it was the largest that was used on all but that one sport model in '93.

If I were you, I'd go back to the guy who sold you the setup and find out where he got the idea that this setup would work on your car.

Steve Weinstein

They are 18 in Modas. Michilen Pilot Sport 255/40/18. I believe the offset is 18. The guy I ordered them from said they would work(but then again they don't). I'm looking into flaring the fenders instead. I have heard from a couple different people that messing with the geometry could cause me issues. I have seen some wide body kits that would work, but I can't find anyone that sells them. Anyone have any ideas on a place that I could find one?

Thanks,
Trent
90 XJS conv

Trent,

I'd be very careful about raising the rear end on an XJS. Jaguar built a certain ride geometry into these cars, and you can cause significant problems by playing with it. Did you put Jaguar wheels onto the car or aftermarket wheels? Did you check the offset on the rims before you bought them? In terms of ride safety, I'd be more concerned about the wheels than the ride height.

That said, in the good old days, the cheap way to raise the rear end of a car was to insert rubber blocks into the rear coil springs. They are available at auto parts stores or speed shops. You simply jack the rear end up, letting the wheels drop, the springs expand, and you slip the blocks in. Lower the rear end and it will sit higher because of the blocks. Not eligent, but it works. Also, don't expect the ride to be as smooth, because the blocks stiffen things up a bit, so it gets harsher.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC
Former '89 XJS owner