New Wheels/Tires, Thule 696 Install

Not much to say. I finally took some time off to work on some backlogged projects. Hope to get to the Tone-style hitch, trailer lights, and audio-only backup sensors next weekend, as well as doing a comprehensive paint polishing. I'm interested in what people think about the color I went with on the rims. Brutal honesty accepted :yes:

Wheels:
From jdm monkey
4x4 engineering from Japan
16x8 +10
Powder coated. I was very torn on the color, but finally settled on a contrasting color that I think works well with the Foxfire; the verdict is mixed from within my family.

Tires:
General Grabber AT2 245/75R16

Brakes:
Stainless at 4 corners
Factory new 5th line to rear axle
Caliper spay painted on bench

Lift:
1" front from torsion bar cranking

Rack:
Thule 696 powder coated to match roof rails/mirror color
Gas cap coated same color

Lenses:
I finally got around to doing the rear sides the same as the front corners
Headlight covers installed, though the magnet bra had to be removed to get the hood to shut completely; I'll have to figure out how to use door edge molding, or something else, as the magnet bra retaining strip is too fat to work with the headlight covers where the covers clip on top of the headlights.

Pictures:
I'm an idiot and failed to figure out the camera, so only a few pictures below. I will add more to the gallery when I get over my failure of figuring out my daughter's camera. :bwgy:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da..._Thule_696.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...wdercoated.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...1_Interior.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...oor_Woofer.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s_Bearings.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...earings_2_.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...aragemahal.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...cle_lineup.jpg

Bren - Nice work on the Thule rack! If I had stayed with the factory chrome rims I would definitely be putting your powder coat job on my to-do list.

I like the rim design (saw them in person before jdm sold them to you) but to be honest I'm not a big fan of non-neutral wheel colors. Take that with a grain of salt though, since it's coming from a guy who thought paint-matching his skid plate was risky. :)

Where'd you get the rear lens covers? Are they a Miata part #?

And one last random question... where did you go to get the factory Foxfire paint for the dash bezel? Or did you find a really close off-the-shelf match?

Good work as always Bren! :thumbup:

I dig the color....chrome is a PITA and boring, black is getting a little too trendy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

I dig the color....chrome is a PITA and boring, black is getting a little too trendy.

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X2. I really like the way they look. Nice to see someone take a chance on a different wheel color.

I like the wheels alot, but the style and the color. I think it works nice with the Foxfire since all the amber lights have been cleared or smoked.

It seems your mission was to go for a more "subdued" look and break away from the bling-bling chrome/silver appearance. In that respect, you have been successful in your quest.

You'll absolutely love the 245/75R16 (30.7 O.D.) Grabber AT2's as they're unstoppable in any terrain. Although; since you cranked your torsion bars, you could have easily gone with a larger size in 265/70R16 (30.9 O.D.), or even better yet a 265/75R16 (31.9 O.D.). Oh well, maybe next time. Kudo's to you!!!

:bgwb:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Riff Raff

It seems your mission was to go for a more "subdued" look and break away from the bling-bling chrome/silver appearance. In that respect, you have been successful in your quest.

You'll absolutely love the 245/75R16 (30.7 O.D.) Grabber AT2's as they're unstoppable in any terrain. Although; since you cranked your torsion bars, you could have easily gone with a larger size in 265/70R16 (30.9 O.D.), or even better yet a 265/75R16 (31.9 O.D.). Oh well, maybe next time. Kudo's to you!!!

:bgwb:

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Just don't do any serious off roading in them, the side walls are very thin (at least the P-metric series, not sure about the regular)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

Just don't do any serious off roading in them, the side walls are very thin (at least the P-metric series, not sure about the regular)

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Nice try, Popeye. Nah, Worky will be just fine for any hardcore 4-wheeling as his Grabber AT2's are LT-Series LT245/75R16 which is a 10-Ply/E-Load Range tire (the toughest available on the market). Take a peek at TireRack.com if you still have any doubts.

:bgwb:

Agreed, that's a sharp looking unit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vt_maverick

And one last random question... where did you go to get the factory Foxfire paint for the dash bezel? Or did you find a really close off-the-shelf match?

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I had a painter mix me up a mason jar of the factory colour from the original paint specs for touchups. It's a little darker than the exterior due to fading, but any pro painter should be able to help you out.

Ash,
I bought my paint from this seller on eBay a few years ago: spraycansunlimited
There is one up for sale now: 2000-03 ISUZU 860 FOXFIRE RED TOUCH-UP SPRAY CAN
Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-03-ISUZU-86...QQcmdZViewItem

I have the touch-up pen, as well, but it goes on pretty light, not a good match. If anything, the spray paint is the right hue, with similar metallic, yet also a little light, in shade.

The General Grabber AT2s are highly rated, with sufficient Load rating and sidewall strength. I would have bought another set of Grabber HTS's, as those tires are excellent on the snow and ice (I have an hour round trip to/from work), but I was looking for a change. Those 18" tires that I removed with the stock rims still look new after about 30K miles, no kidding.

I don't now have the Miata part number for the rear side lenses. They do take a little Dremeling on the rear to get them to sit flush, but they are a better quality than the Clearlenses on my front corners. I'll look through my records. I know ordered them online from a Miata website.

Thanks for the comments on the rims everybody. The picture makes the rims greener than they really are. I still can't figure out where I've seen this color combo (Gold and Maroon), on a 70s Trans Am? All I can think now when I look at it is "Tonka," but I'm not sure why.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Riff Raff

Nice try, Popeye. Nah, Worky will be just fine for any hardcore 4-wheeling as his Grabber AT2's are LT-Series LT245/75R16 which is a 10-Ply/E-Load Range tire (the toughest available on the market). Take a peek at TireRack.com if you still have any doubts.

:bgwb:

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So a bit of a T/J here, but have a question for you and the general audience. I'm debating between Grabber AT2's and BFG All-Terrain KO's. The BFG's are almost 10 lbs. heavier than the Grabbers. This concerns me because I'm already running wider (and therefore heavier) rims. Hate to add a ton of weight and additional strain on the drivetrain / even worse MPGs.

Thoughts?

Oh and forgot to ask, what makes the BFG's so much heavier?

Tell us about the rear hatch cover. What did you use to protect the sub?

Looks good Bren!

Who did your color on the Thule...not real happy with the color on my Dragon, but this gives me hope that I can do something to make it better.

Hi, Earl. You can get the 696 powdercoated for about $50 at any reputable coater around you. My powder guy is horribly unorganized, so I would not be able to find out the brand of powder/color code from him. I took the book of samples to the VX and chose one the color of the mirrors/roof rails. I wanted the gas cap to show, but not be obnoxious, so I went with that color already on the vehicle, as opposed to trying to match the cladding and blend in too well. Taking the 696 apart completely allows you to put it back together with Red Locktite, to snug it all up a little more than when new, and Renew Restoring the plastic endcaps of the 696, as well as the plastic bits of the rack, itself. If you take the 696 apart down to its elemental 9 rails, it shouldn't cost more than $50, but I guess that could vary regionally. BTW, I note no difference in wind noise between my previous fairing set-up, and now with no fairing, with 696. Cross winds may prove differently, though. All of theses projects are why I couldn't swing the fender mirror, though I often think about how it would look.... 'Later Earl, Bren.

Thanks for the info Bren.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by workmeistr

Thanks for the comments on the rims everybody. The picture makes the rims greener than they really are. I still can't figure out where I've seen this color combo (Gold and Maroon), on a 70s Trans Am? All I can think now when I look at it is "Tonka," but I'm not sure why.

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Maybe this?

http://www.extreme-z.com/appearance/...ls_2.sized.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vt_maverick

So a bit of a T/J here, but have a question for you and the general audience. I'm debating between Grabber AT2's and BFG All-Terrain KO's. The BFG's are almost 10 lbs. heavier than the Grabbers. This concerns me because I'm already running wider (and therefore heavier) rims. Hate to add a ton of weight and additional strain on the drivetrain / even worse MPGs.

Thoughts?

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Bren--- Since you still have your Grabber HTS with reasonable tread left, why don't you use that set as your "Summer set", and use the Grabber AT2 as your "Winter set"??? If you did, then you could have your new AT2's studded for Winter, since they're pre-pinned for studs. Just an idea, now that you have two complete sets.

VT-- Yup, I too am a huge fan of the BFG - A/T (I have a set on my FJ-40), but I deliberately chose the Grabber AT2 in 275/65R18-116S (32" O.D./42.3 lbs) for the VX simply because of the weight factor. The two tires are almost mirror image clones, with the AT2's being much lighter in weight. I don't really know why the BFG's are about 10 lbs heavier, and it could be any number of combined reasons-- i.e., BFG tri-gard belting design, bigger shoulder lugs, rubber density, and closer spaced tread design with less caverns.

Of special note: The BFG A/T tread pattern has a more tightly knit tread pattern of interlocking lugs on the face of the tread, which causes the tread to be quickly filled-up with mud and packed dirt thereby turning the tires into worthless slick rollerskates. In addition; the BFG A/T tread seems to have trouble self-cleaning, and will remain clogged unless you can find a shallow stream to forde across and wash-out the tread pattern. I speak from experience as this happens with the BFG A/T's on my FJ-40.

Conversely, I've found the Grabber AT2 tread pattern to be more "open" (not tight knit) with the interlocking lugs on the face of the tread, and they self-clean immediately expelling all mud & dirt away from the tread pattern face. I am continually amazed at how well the AT2's instantly self clean debris away from its tread face, including stones and pebbles. BTW; try not to follow a vehicle that has AT2's too close, as you might get your windshield cracked and your paint chipped (just ask fellow member "Travelin2" when he followed me in convoy for a damage report).

VT, you didn't say which specific "size" of tire you were considering. If you are considering the popular 285/60R18 size, then I would highly recommend the infamous PRO-COMP - "All Terrain" above all others on the market. It looks very simular to the BFG & AT2 tread pattern design, and the P/C-A/T is Snowflake/Mountain rated, has a 50,000 mile warranty, and only weighs 43 lbs each. I believe fellow members "NocturnalVX", "BoarderCross", and "Stangri" all utilize the P/C-A/T, so you can ask their opinion(s). The P/C-A/T is commonly on sale at www.4WheelParts.com and its franchise outlets with a buy 3, get the 4th free deal.

The VX OEM wheel is 28 lbs, and the OEM tire is 34 lbs = 62 lbs total (x 4) from the factory. The tire industry says it is safe to plus-up an additional 10 lbs on each wheel/tire combination using OEM stock brakes, so your target combined wheel/tire weight can be in the 72 lbs ballpark (x 4). If I ever opted for aftermarket wheels, I'd follow L-Dub's lead and seek-out lightweight CenterLine brand wheels (although, they're $$$).

Lastly, for any other size tire besides the popular 285/60R18 size, the Grabber AT2 cannot be matched in sheer traction, is studdable, super lightweight and is Snowflake/Mountain rated. I've noticed the individual tire weights on TireRack.com for the Grabber AT2 are somewhat ascue and incorrect. It is best to check the official website of www.GeneralTire.com for actual individual weights of the Grabber AT2.

:bgwb:

Sorry for the T/J Bren. We now take you back to your regular scheduled program.

BTW, I did weigh before and after. Just FYI. I still highly recommend the Grabber HTS to anyone, I was just looking for a change, and hoping to use my VX for more offroading.

255/55R18 General Grabber HTS + Factory 18" Rim = 60.8 lbs
245/75R16 General Grabber AT2 + 4x4 Engineering 16" Rim = 68 lbs

Loving the rims man. Gives it a good rally look

Is that a new 2011 Ford Edge Sport I see in one of those pics? How awesome is that thing, with the 300 hp 3.7 v6?

Bren, that looks AWESOME! I love how you used the same color for the rack.