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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 12:20 PM
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Default On 20" wheels

I was actually trying to make the car look like a big-scale "toy" for show rather than a "ghetto ride".

- 20x9.5, 4.5" backspacing
- 255/35-20 (exact same overall diameter as stock 255/60-15)
- 3" drop front/rear (shortened front springs, 10" rear spring bolts, adjustable strut rods to correct camber)
(though same overall diameter as stock, I had to do the drop to minimize the cartwheel-look effect)
- stock everything else, no spacers, no offset trailing arms, no rubbing.

Right now I trying to figure out how to lose the mirror shine on the wheels, perhaps by buffing the chrome with a fine scouring pad.

RON
quimio@aol.com


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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 12:28 PM
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20s look great on your car, but your stance is definitely the defining factor. I bet you have problems bottoming out? I know I do on occassion, and i'm not even that low..yet...
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 12:31 PM
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What about bumps? Pulling into driveways?? Pot holes?? The car is not too practical. When entering and existing gas stations will you have to go on an angle and just creep over the curb??? I was considering 20 inch since they cost the same as my 18 inch rims but after watching a ricer creep in and out of the gas station I made up my mind that I wouldn't embarrass myself by doing the same.
You have to compromise ride height or look rediculous creeping in and out of places. I laugh when I see others driving cars like that on the street. I also get ticked off if I am following them and have to slow down to accomodate a car that shouldn't be on the road if it can't keep up with normal traffic. It endangers me as much as the driver.
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 01:15 PM
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[QUOTE=82Red]"ghetto ride". QUOTE]

I believe you're looking for the phrase "Fly Hooptie"
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 01:19 PM
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WTF is a "ghetto ride"?
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by nastee383
WTF is a "ghetto ride"?

See image contained in first post.
:
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 01:28 PM
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82Red are they Steel or Aluminum wheels?

If they are steel you don't want to scuff them up they'll just look like crap. If they are aluminum I would suggest seeing if a custom CNC shop might be able to help you with what you are looking to do. Prefferably a shop that does wheels.
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 82Red
Right now I trying to figure out how to lose the mirror shine on the wheels, perhaps by buffing the chrome with a fine scouring pad.
Why????
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:02 PM
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Get new wheels...
Raise the car a bit...'nuff said!
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:07 PM
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I like the wheels all shiny, that's what makes the look with the lowering and your nice paint. I think if you make the wheels less shiney it'll ust be a nice vette with dumb big azz wheels. I'd keep the shine, that's what makes it look cool and not stupid
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
What about bumps? Pulling into driveways?? Pot holes?? The car is not too practical. When entering and existing gas stations will you have to go on an angle and just creep over the curb??? I was considering 20 inch since they cost the same as my 18 inch rims but after watching a ricer creep in and out of the gas station
The scraping has nothing to do with the 20" wheel size. Remember, the overall diameter of the 255/35-20s are exactly the same as the stock 255/60-15s. It all has to do with how low you drop your suspension. In my case, I decided to drop the suspension 3" to make it look right - with that much wheel and less tire, the wheels stand out too much at the regular height.
At a certain height drop, Of course you may have to approach bumps at an angle if it is way too high. Just imagine the speed bumps being 3" higher and the potholes 3" deeper. But again, I created this for show - not for picking up groceries, running errands, and driving around areas of town with big potholes. It is NOT practical as an everyday driver, however it is drivable, runs smooth, and works well for an occasional cruise.

RON
quimio@aol.com
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:16 PM
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Easy solution, slightly sand the center part of the wheel and then get the centers powder coated grey/black/silver.
If you dont want to powder coat, mask out the outer rim, a light sand, etch prime and paint will do the same thing.

Another idea would be to take a look at some of the eastwoods paint that replicate "anodizing".....you paint straight over polished aluminum or chrome.

Nick
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:22 PM
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I know the wheels have nothing to do with scraping. I know the diameter can be the same. But to get the look you want you have to slam the car and that is what I don't like.
I also don't like 30 or 35 series tires for the fact that the rim take too much of a beating on the road. Pot holes will do it in. Besides it is not safe following a car slamed like yours because you would have to be constantly on the brakes or weaving in and out trying to avoid every crack on the highway.
I don't want to annoy everyone around me because I am driving an impractical car on the street.
A show car is another matter and getting on trailer to get to the show has got to be a pain?
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:31 PM
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Norval...you're sounding old...real old.. what happened to looks before function LOL .. I would drive that all day long, my DD has skinny tires also and the rattles you get used to them and swerving around pot holes..just makes it more fun to drive IMO Ron has the looks nailed down, I absolutely love how that looks, the stance is right and those big wheels don't even look close to the cart wheels that some others look like...me like..a lot.
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
..But to get the look you want you have to slam the car and that is what I don't like.
..Besides it is not safe following a car slamed like yours because you would have to be constantly on the brakes or weaving in and out trying to avoid every crack on the highway.
..I don't want to annoy everyone around me because I am driving an impractical car on the street. A show car is another matter and getting on trailer to get to the show has got to be a pain?
Sorry dude. I promise when I hit the streets, I will be careful not to annoy everyone around me in my impractical car.
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by 82Red
Sorry dude. I promise when I hit the streets, I will be careful not to annoy everyone around me in my impractical car.

Hey dont be sorry...if you like YOUR car the way it is...NEVER apologize.

You asked how to make the centers of the wheels less of a "mirror shine" a reasonable question (I dont like "bling" wheels myself)........not whether people thought your car was practical or to their taste.

Nick
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:45 PM
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Scotchbrite or 0000 wool should do the trick if they are just polished aluminum. If they are chromed, you may need professional help.
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:45 PM
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your car looks awesome..its not "ghetto" by all means...I think its pretty sick lookin slammed.
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by lvrpool32
You asked how to make the centers of the wheels less of a "mirror shine" a reasonable question (I dont like "bling" wheels myself)........not whether people thought your car was practical or to their taste.
When I ordered my wheels, what I wanted was a polished aluminum finish rather than a mirror-chrome finish to get the overall effect I was trying to create. Now I am researching ways on how to dull-out the chrome if even temporarily. I have considered perhaps spraying an aluminum-colored paint over it, or even buffing out the chrome with a fine scouring pad.

Don't get me wrong guys - chrome is nice on certain wheel styles and sizes, but it wasn't what I had in mind for this particular project.
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Old Mar 9, 2005 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 82Red
Sorry dude. I promise when I hit the streets, I will be careful not to annoy everyone around me in my impractical car.


You had better there pally or we'll come and getcha!!
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