* Bolt Pattern (PCD): This is the number of lug nuts and the diameter of the circle they form. A van from 1996 and a Caprice from 1990 will likely have *different* bolt patterns. Adapters *might* be able to overcome a small difference in *diameter* but not a difference in *number* of lug nuts. Adapters *cannot* change the number of lug nuts. You *must* verify this first.
* Wheel Offset (ET): This is the distance between the wheel mounting surface and the centerline of the wheel. Different offsets significantly affect handling, tire clearance, and potentially rubbing against suspension components. Adapters can change the offset, often drastically, potentially causing serious problems.
* Hub Bore: The center hole in the wheel needs to fit snugly over the hub on the vehicle. An adapter would need to accommodate this difference, but again, this adds another layer of potential instability.
* Weight and Stress: Adapters add weight to the wheel assembly, putting extra stress on wheel bearings, suspension components, and potentially causing braking issues.
In short: While wheel adapters *exist*, using them to put van rims on a Caprice is generally a very bad idea and potentially dangerous. It introduces a significant risk of wheel failure, instability, and damage to your vehicle. It's much safer and more reliable to find rims with the correct bolt pattern, offset, and hub bore for your Caprice.
Before even thinking about adapters, you must determine the bolt pattern of both the Caprice and the van rims. This information is usually stamped on the back of the wheel itself or can be found in your owner's manual or online databases. Then compare them. If they're different, adapters are not a viable solution.
