I'm looking at some new wheels for my "98 XK8. I have new 17" tires , so I'm kind of locked into 17" replacements. My stock wheels are "revolvers" 17X8 5X4.75 with 33mm offset.
Several of the wheels I considered did not have high offset offerings, matter of fact my favorites only came with 0 offset. Can I use 0 offset wheels with a 1' to 1 1/4" spacers without a major disturbance to the suspension geometry and integrity?

 

If I understand you, you'd need negative spacers - which are impossible.

 

Zero offset wheels instead of 33mm would be effectively running 1.3" wheel adapters (without the worry of wheel adapters). I will likely put 1.25" Wheel adapters on my XK8 and I don't think the extra .05" will make a difference.

This would flush up the wheels better with the body though still not require "OMG so JDM, megaflush" fender lip mods.

Downsides would be higher wheel bearing loads, but it looks to me rain water will kill the wheel bearings long before wheel offsets will.

I would go for it. All of the mustang wheel vendors said I couldn't put 10" wide wheels on the front of my mustang and I love them.

 

As I understand offset, if I mounted a wheel with zero offset to replace the stock wheel with 33mm offset, I would need to increase the offset of the new wheel from 0 to 33mm (utilizing 1.25" spacer?) in order to maintain the proper suspension geometry.

 

You understand it incorrectly. A lower offset moves the wheel outwards. Using a spacer will lower the offset even more.

 

As previously stated, a 1.25" spacer on a 0 offset wheel would make a "Negative 33mm" offset wheel, not a 33mm offset wheel, a 66mm difference from factory.


A Zero Offset 8" wheel with a 26" tire OD should work without rubbing in front and back and will visually fill the wheel wells better than the factory wheels.


Drawbacks would be increased wheel bearing loads and slightly increased suspension loads, resulting a slightly softer ride and a slightly lower ride height.

 

Ahhh...I finally get it. Pretty simple actually. Thank you all for your input.