How to Pick Wheels and Suspension for Vehicle Kits
By Victoria Miniatures by Victoria Lamb | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: Tips & Care
Diagnose common wheel and suspension fit problems on 28mm vehicle conversions, from axle height to resin cleanup, and know when to stop or choose a different kit.
Quick answer
Start by checking axle height and wheel well clearance before you glue anything. Dry-fit the suspension assemblies to the hull, confirm all four wheels touch the ground evenly, and only then commit to adhesive. If the kit's resin parts need heavy cleanup or the wheelbase looks wrong, stop and consider a different conversion rather than forcing the fit.
Check axle height before you cut or glue
The most common mistake in a vehicle wheel conversion is setting ride height by eye. Place the hull on a flat surface, temporarily support it at the height you want, then hold each wheel against its intended axle point. If the wheel center sits too high, the tire will foul the wheel arch; too low, and the vehicle looks like it is dragging. Adjust the suspension mounting point, not the wheel, because resin wheels are harder to reshape consistently.
Clean resin parts before test-fitting
Resin conversion parts often carry mold release and thin flash. Wash the wheels and suspension assemblies in warm soapy water, rinse, and let them dry fully. Trim flash with a sharp blade and check that the axle stubs seat squarely. Skipping this step can leave a wheel sitting proud on one side, which throws off the whole stance and makes later alignment harder.
Match the suspension to the hull, not the other way around
Front and rear suspension assemblies are usually shaped differently. Offer each up before gluing and mark the front direction on the hull with tape. If a suspension arm needs to be shortened, remove material from the mounting face rather than the visible arm, so the detail stays intact. For a miniature APC build, keeping the suspension arms parallel to the ground reads better than a dramatic rake.
When to stop and choose another option
Stop if the wheel wells require cutting into a finished interior, if two wheels cannot be made to touch the ground without visible gaps at the suspension mounts, or if the resin parts are warped beyond a warm-water straightening. Forcing these issues usually leads to a model that looks off from every angle. In those cases, a simpler wheel set or a different vehicle base is the better use of your time.
Fit diagnosis: symptom, cause, and fix
- Wheel sits too high in the arch: The suspension mounting point is set too high on the hull, often because the hull was designed for tracks. Lower the mounting point or trim the suspension arm's mounting face; stop if the arch would need cutting into visible detail.
- One wheel does not touch the ground: A warped resin part or uneven cleanup holds that corner up. Straighten warped resin in warm water and re-check; if the axle stub is misaligned, stop and use a different wheel or kit.
- Wheels look too small or large for the hull: The wheel diameter does not match the vehicle's proportions, which happens when mixing scales or brands. Compare wheel diameter to the hull before buying; if the difference is obvious, choose a different conversion kit.
- Suspension arms angle upward or downward: The front and rear assemblies are swapped or mounted at different heights. Mark front and rear before gluing and keep arms parallel to the ground; stop if the hull shape prevents a level mount.
Product facts
- APC Wheel and Suspension Kit: Conversion kit to fit a plastic APC with four wheels instead of four tracks; includes four wheels, front suspension assembly, and rear suspension assembly; hand cast in high quality resin; designed and sculpted by Jake Schneider. Gives you the exact parts needed for a four-wheel conversion, so you can plan axle height and suspension mounting before cutting.
- Admiral Sora: Admiral Sora kit includes one Admiral and one 25mm round plastic slotta base; modular and compatible with popular plastic 28mm troops; hand cast in high quality resin. Useful if you want a crew figure for your converted APC, and its modular design lets you swap components with other Victoria Miniatures parts.
- Brodie Helmet Heads with Gas Masks x10: Ten Brodie Helmet Heads with Gas Masks suitable for 28mm heroic scale troops; compatible with Male Victoria Miniatures troops, Halflings, and popular plastic troops; hi-res 3D print. A quick way to give your vehicle crew a themed look without sculpting, and the heroic scale matches most 28mm conversions.
