I was wondering what sort of size issues I'll run into if I try and find some new rims for my amazon. I recall that my 145 has the same narrow inset wheels as my new 122. I was able to swap some late 70s vintage 245 wheels right onto the 145 and it put the wheels much closer to the corners of the car. Can I do something similar with my 122? If so, what sort of rims should I be looking for? (as in from what year volvo at the junkyard) I've seen several mentions that the bolt patterns are different on some 122s?

I've a wheel novice, so clear explanations would be the most helpful for me.
I've got some nice alloys left from my 1986 740 GLE, but I have my doubts that I could use those.

FYI: I found this at eBay:
Given that this boltpattern is nowhere near a rare as I expected, there are some other issue to contend with. I wish I knew exactly which site this person got the list from.

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"I found a listing of wheels that have the 5 on 4.5" bolt circle, the same pattern as the Volvo 122 and P1800. The source had no indication of offset or other wheel dimensions. The listing was also rather old so wheels newer than '89 don't show up. Reprinted here for your (limited?) benefit.

5 on 4-1/2inch (114.3 mm) bolt pattern:
AMC Gremlin, Hornet, Pacer, Javelin, Matator, AMX
AMC - most models (exc. Jeep) '40-'89
Chrysler/DeSoto - all full size RWD cars (exc. Imperial) '37-'89
Datsun/Nissan - 1600-2000 '65-'73
- 300ZX, 200SX V6 (some) to '89
Dodge van
Dodge 1/2 ton PU
Dodge - all full size cars & P.U.'s '37-'89
- Dart, Demon, Swinger '73-'80
Ford 1/2 ton van
Ford Granada, Monarch
Ford - All full size cars '49-'72; '79-'85
- Fairlane '62-'79
- T-Bird '55-'71; '77-'79
- Mustang (5-bolt) '65-'73
- Maverick 5-bolt all
- Mustang SVO '85-'86
- Ranchero '68-'84
- Aerostar, Probe, Bronco II/Ranger to '89
Hudson - all '48-'56
Lincoln - all '70-'72; '80-'89
Mazda - RX7 Turbo, 626, 929, MX6 '86-'89
Mercury - all full size cars '52-'54; '61-'72; '79-'85
- Cougar '67-'79
Mopar '73-up "A" body
Plymouth - all full size cars '37-'89
- Barracuda '70-'74
- Duster, Valiant, Volare '73-'80
Pontiac - Tempest, LeMans '61-'63
Studebaker - all '51-'66
Toyota Crown, Hilux PU
Toyota - 2WD P.U. '69-'89
- Supra Turbo '86-'89
Volvo 122, 1800


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You mean Volvo makes cars that are *NOT* Wagons?!?

I'm with Tom. I sent my wheels to Bolton Wheel in Gardena, CA. (L.A.) and have been pleaesed with the results. I had them widened to 6" and have installed 205/65/15 tires on them. They paint them, but it looks like hell. My painter matched them to the original wheel color with clear coat and they look great. As soon as I figure out how to post a picture on the BB I will show them off with the car.
Cheers
Allen Turner

5x4½ is the same as 5x114.3. A lot of Japanese (and US) manufacturers use the metric measurment. The only problem is that a lot of the Japanese wheels use offsets that are not compatable with the Volvo. In general (but not always) front wheel drive cars have more positive offset than rear wheel drive cars. This means that the wheels from a rear wheel drive vehicle will be more likely to fit on your Volvo than those from a front driver even though they both have the same bolt pattern. Check out this link to see what offset and backspace is and how to measure it.

http://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html

On a 7" wheel, 3.75" to 4.25" of backspace (-6 to +6 offset) is ideal for fitment purposes (although not necessarilly for handling). However, on a 6" wheel, your range of acceptable backspacing or offset will increase due to having more room in the wheelwell because of the narrower wheel. To complicate matters, the difference in tire width does not change much between a 215/65/15 tire on a 7" wheel and a 6" wheel . In this case it would be the tire that could limit your backspace or offset. so in order to take advantage of the narrower wheel you would also need to run a narrower tire. Check out the backspace to offset chart on the previously mentioned chart to see how a narrower wheel can affect the range of backspacing.

Here is a couple of lists of vehicles that have 5x4½ and 5x114.3 bolt patterns. It will be up to you to determine the correct backspace or offset.

http://www.ronalusa.com/cars.html

http://www.teufert.net/wheels/bolt-pat.htm

Just a quick note. It does not matter whether you measure in terms of backspacing or offset. Both will give you the information that you need. Just be carefull that you don't mix up the two or that you properly convert one to the other before determining its acceptability.

Chris

You might consider keeping your old wheels and have them widened. I had mine widened to 6" and have installed 195-65 tires. I paid about $50 each for the widening. This way you can keep the hubcaps. I have mine painted to match my car have the original hubcaps, and I bought some polished stainless trim rings. They look sharp, people comlement me all the time on them.
Tom

That would satisfy the anarchist in me but on my particular car the wheel centers are knobbled out from idiot PO mis-mounting them at some point. They work for now but I'm really eye-ballin' old fords at the junkyard!

--
Mike!

122s of ALL years have the 4½ bolt circle, compatible with Ford and MoPar.
140s and later 1800s (changing about 1970) have the 4¼" bolt circle and
WILL NOT fit on any 122 unless you go through a lot of rigamarole to change
hubs (like from a late 1800).
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

All early Volvo 544, 122, P1800 had a 5 lug 4.5 inch bolt circle diameter. Any AMC, Ford, Chrysler, wheel should be identical, also some Toyota truck wheels had the same bolt circle diameter. I am running 15 x 7 inch slotted Dodge police car wheels with 205/65 HR 15 tires on my 1967 122S 4dr. with lowered springs and Bilstein shocks with no problem. Fred