Anyone ever try adapting a Unimog 20" wheel to fit a normal, tradional 8x6.5 bolt pattern. That is my new challenge for January. I just bought a set of 20" Unimog rims to mount my BN 12.5R20 Michelin XL's on....but now need to try and mount said wheel to the truck.

Two problems to overcome
1. Wrong pattern
2. Way wrong offset ( 7.5 inch backspacing on 9: wide wheel)

Options I can see are:

1. new 3/8 plate centers....but kinda heavy.
but will fix 1 and 2
2. Weld plate and re drill bolt holes( fixes 1 only)- but could run them sticking out some I guess
3.Some form of spacer and or adapter... like you would see on a DRW truck front end or a custom version of a wheel adapter- 8 counter sunk bolt holes so mount the spacer to the truck, then 6 large bolt hole ( threaded) so I could use screw in bolts/studs to mount the rim...
Again only solving problem 1

I wanted to do this as economical as possible, but without being unsafe.

Anyone want to expand on this one ?

recentering the wheels will probably be cheapest, custom spacer/adapters the easiest but probably not cheap.

Stazworks (vendor on here) will sell you new centers to weld in

Likely I will get an estimate on re centering the wheel a bit ( looks like it would only add 2 " of backspacing) and welding in a drilled plate with correct bolt pattern. Depending on how "gross" the local guy wants to do that... 2nd choice is I have a buddy at a machine shop who can make me new plate centres with the correct pattern and weld them in. This will likely be the most cost effective solution for me..but will also lead to possible issues with bending of the 3/8 plate ( as it's flat as opposed to stamped for rigidity).
As for adaptors, unless I make one out of thick wall tube and weld plates to each end with the respective bolt patterns..the two are close on the OD and will interfere with each other otherwise. So I am thinking that is out for the moment. But if I do get the rims re centred and welded up with the correct pattern... I can use a spacer ( 8x6.5 to 8x6.5) 2-3 inches thick to add space. This also scares me somewhat as it will stress the hell out of the 9/16 studs.
Ho hum......?

I am capable of selling you a plate witha stamped center. it would have about 1.25-2" of dish to it. you may end up having to trim the Od to fit because It may differ depending on where the center goes,.

John