Noticed that Billit Specialties makes a nice 17x8 and 18x8 wheel with a 5.625 backspace in 8 lug. This wheel is the octane 8.

 

Billet Specialties have been around since the mid-eighties, I think, and make a beautiful wheel. I have a set of billets on my old chevy pick-up, but they're Budnik's as I preferred their method of center cap attachment over the Billet Specialties method. Still, I examined them closely at custom car shows, and found them to be a very well made wheel. Billet wheels are a 2 piece design. The wheel center is made from a solid block or "billet" of hard alloy aluminum. Because it's machined, and not cast, intricate designs can be machined into the wheel center with out concerns of the limitations of standard molding. After machining the wheel center, it's then welded into a standard spun aluminum rim. The rim can be selected according to the tire width being used, and a number of sizes are available. Also the buyer can specify any desired backspacing. The wheels are not a shelf item, and there can be a waiting period if you get them in the busy season.

The downside to billets is the maintenance they require to keep them looking good. When you reach the level of Billet Specialties, Boyd Coddington, or Budnik wheels, you're into "custom car" show wheels, and unless they've changed, these billets are not coated. The aluminum is exposed to the elements. They require frequent polishing. It doesn't look like a big area, but if you could take the wheel and lay it out flat, you'd realize the huge surface you have to keep polished. Salt is their mortal enemy. I always switched my wheels off before the first snow because the road salt would have killed them. But if your area in CA is salt free, you can use them year round, but just be prepared to perform frequent polishing maintenance on them. If kept looking their best, the soft luster and shine they give is unique to them.

Tom Hybiske

 

They were one of the VERY many I have talked to about wheels, they DO NOT recommend their wheels or anyones billet wheels for our trucks with the large tires,,, THEY will crack.... I really appreciated their honesty,,, You have to go with a Forged wheel. Do a search for Gary C, I go into great detail about our wheels, Weld EVO are the only one's making a Forged wheel with the proper back space at this time....18's right now,,,,

Hope this helps

Check my gallery

 

Thanks for the input guys. I certainly plan to run big tires on my truck.

I also may move to Colorado (Denver area) in the next year and I won't be salt free anymore. I like the idea of the EVO
style wheels with the chrome. Much less maintence.

 

Forgot to mention the EVO's have a 5 year chrome warrenty,,,,,,,

 

Gary, I was thinking about that when I initially replied, but T Boy, mentioned 8 holes, so i thought..... ...OK.... . I'm glad you brought that fact up.

Tom Hybiske

 

I was at 4 wheel parts today and saw some Weld EVO renegade wheel in 18in.
the guy at the counter says the proper backspacing for My Truck wont be out for a few weeks and mabey a few months.
I'd like to have those with some 35" muds on em.