Wheels are done...

[Orange Terror]

Sooo, these are going on the 89?

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

I figured you were just going to restore it to stock, not mod it.

Yes, I'm violating all my own rules, but to see the rears sit so far inboard of where the fronts are just bugs the living crap out of me.

Once I noticed it, I just can't let it go...looks flat out wrong.

Sooo, these are going on the 89?

Yep...did the 81 2 years ago...

[Orange Terror]

Yes, I'm violating all my own rules, but to see the rears sit so far inboard of where the fronts are just bugs the living crap out of me.

Once I noticed it, I just can't let it go...looks flat out wrong.

Can't say I blame you.

If you don't mind me asking what size wheels/tires are on the 81 then?

[OIF1VET]

Thats because its on a 15in rim so it has more sidewall without bulging to much. As the rim size goes up the smaller the tire you can use at the same width. IE a 10" wide 15in rim can use 325's and a 10" wide 18in rim would only be able to use a 295.

Got ya, thank you for clearing that up for me!!

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

Can't say I blame you.

If you don't mind me asking what size wheels/tires are on the 81 then?

The 81s are 15x8 all around with 255/60s.

[JoeliusZ28]

[WMCCjames]

I'm with Joel

[MP81]

For sure.

X3

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

Awright awright awright, you impatient mothers....

I originally asked for them to sodium-strip the wheels, powder coat the centers a GM code 55 Aztec Gold, machine the lips (not polish), and then powdercoat clear over the top.

Their reply was that code 55 was a water based paint from 1976 (this is true), and no powdercoat exists to duplicate it due to the variety of the water based paint used at the time. They said they could mix me a special batch of powdercoat, but it would be expensive.

I chose to go with a modern day paint-matched code 55 gold, and then powdercoat clear over the top.











I actually like the last pic with the gold in the valve stem hole, even though it wasn't factory...but then again, none of the rest of this exercise is, and the valve stem will likely cover it anyway.

Overall, a very good job...a 9 out of 10...I have found 2 flaws, one minor (dirt not cleaned up before powdercoating the clear) and one moderate where the gold flaked off over a 4 x 2mm area on one wheel. I think I'm just going to let it go as I didn't pay for a concourse job, but came close to getting one.

In the end, I'm glad I didn't polish them...would have been too over the top.

All four wheels...$520...with no tax charged.

Yes, I can be anal retentive...

[MP81]

Jesus dude, those things are gorgeous.

[WMCCjames]

They look nice Jeff...suprised to see tooling chatter marks though....I probably wouldn't have let that slide if it were me....Edit...nevermind....I blew the pic up, it was just the way explorer shrunk it....much better!!

[Lucky SOB]

ya that 2x4mm chip really stands out in the pics. they look like s*** man. sorry they did such a crappy job. could those wheels look any worse?! sucks to be you man. hope you get your money back, cause wow you got ripped off bad!

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

ya that 2x4mm chip really stands out in the pics. they look like s*** man. sorry they did such a crappy job. could those wheels look any worse?! sucks to be you man. hope you get your money back, cause wow you got ripped off bad!

Ouch...lol...I guess I'll just have to suffer...

[JoeliusZ28]

9 out of 10... and i thought i was a perfectionist. those are beautiful.

[GETGONE]

I love those wheels even though most people think they're ugly. I had a set with the gray centers and custom spinners that covered the lugs that I ran on several S trucks. I wish I hadn't sold them.