I would have posted this earlier, but I was waiting until I could put the finishing touch on my new custom wheels.
To back up a bit, last fall I unfortunately ran over a block steel laying in the road on the way back home from a car show. It wound up bending and cracking the left front wheel, and it turned out to be permanent damage.....the wheel was deemed not repairable.
Well, to further complicate matters, after Discount Tire helped me with a nationwide search for a 20" replacement Helo "Skid" model wheel in the 6 on 5 in. SSR lug pattern, there was not a replacement wheel to be found anywhere.....my wheels had been discontinued for 3 years
So I was forced to do what I would have thought was unthinkable.....give up on the custom set of wheels that I really loved, and try to find something else that I liked. Well, if we thought it was tough to find a decent variety of custom wheels available for the SSR 6 years ago, trust me, it's even a lot tougher now.
We finally found a set of 20"/22" Helo Model 868 wheels for the SSR.
After getting them put on my truck, I realized that I did not like them as much as my original custom Helo wheels.....quite a bummer. So I decided to try to think of something I could do to make these wheels really unique.
I came up with the idea of adding a "spike" in the middle recessed area of the center cap, which also would hide the brand name of the wheel. I tried to find and buy what I was looking for, but to no avail. So I contacted fanantic TNSSRMAN (Floyd) to see if he could make me what I had in mind. I sent him a sketch with the dimensions that I wanted, and he machined me some spikes out of billet aluminum and had them chromed. He certainly came through for me, and did a great job on them.....just exactly what I was looking for and wanted.
I realize that this "look" may be a bit too radical for some. But I'm very happy with it, and this new uniqueness helps make me not miss my previous wheels so much. I now have truly a "one-of-a-kind" set of custom wheels. I have some ideas for some additional more subtle "spike" touches to coordinate a theme. When I'm done, I'm pretty sure that I'll at least be a hit with the Harley bike riders.
Alex
P.S. Check out my additional post (#20) in this thread for more spikes which were later added to the wheels.
If the Modern version of Ben Hur ever gets released your R could participate in the Chariot race. Seriously....looks cool...and definitely One Of A Kind.
If the Modern version of Ben Hur ever gets released your R could participate in the Chariot race. Seriously....looks cool...and definitely One Of A Kind.
Frank,
Funny you said that, because that's about what Crystal meant when she asked...."You think you're Ben Hur?"
Hey, I'm ready for a "chariot race".
She doesn't like it.....but I told her that it would grow on her in time. But heck, that what she also says about me.
2006 FPR Black
MikeinAZ's: Big Main & Aux fans, Tranny Cooler, Spare Tire Kit & Crossmember Plate, LC32 Kit, etc...and the list keeps growing and growing...
I would have posted this earlier, but I was waiting until I could put the finishing touch on my new custom wheels.
To back up a bit, last fall I unfortunately ran over a block steel laying in the road on the way back home from a car show. It wound up bending and cracking the left front wheel, and it turned out to be permanent damage.....the wheel was deemed not repairable.
Well, to further complicate matters, after Discount Tire helped me with a nationwide search for a 20" replacement Helo "Skid" model wheel in the 6 on 5 in. SSR lug pattern, there was not a replacement wheel to be found anywhere.....my wheels had been discontinued for 3 years
So I was forced to do what I would have thought was unthinkable.....give up on the custom set of wheels that I really loved, and try to find something else that I liked. Well, if we thought it was tough to find a decent variety of custom wheels available for the SSR 6 years ago, trust me, it's even a lot tougher now.
We finally found a set of 20"/22" Helo Model 868 wheels for the SSR.
After getting them put on my truck, I realized that I did not like them as much as my original custom Helo wheels.....quite a bummer. So I decided to try to think of something I could do to make these wheels really unique.
I came up with the idea of adding a "spike" in the middle recessed area of the center cap, which also would hide the brand name of the wheel. I tried to find and buy what I was looking for, but to no avail. So I contacted fanantic TNSSRMAN (Floyd) to see if he could make me what I had in mind. I sent him a sketch with the dimensions that I wanted, and he machined me some spikes out of billet aluminum and had them chromed. He certainly came through for me, and did a great job on them.....just exactly what I was looking for and wanted.
I realize that this "look" may be a bit too radical for some. But I'm very happy with it, and this new uniqueness helps make me not miss my previous wheels so much. I now have truly a "one-of-a-kind" set of custom wheels. I have some ideas for some additional more subtle "spike" touches to coordinate a theme. When I'm done, I'm pretty sure that I'll at least be a hit with the Harley bike riders.
Alex
Mine are just painted,very close,except for the Ben Hur accessory!
I decided to add one final "touch" to my custom wheels. I found some small chrome plastic spike caps that wound up working perfectly to surround the large center spike. These small caps are much like the slightly domed plastic caps with retainers that you buy to cover the license plate bolts/screws. The plastic retainers snapped right on over the "dummy" rivets, and then the spike caps were pressed on and snapped into place.
I believe that these small surrounding spikes compliment the large center one to produce a more blended look.....they actually take a bit of attention away from the center one, which is fine.
I went to a small cruise-in last Saturday at a local Sam's Club, and the 3 store managers got together to agree on a "Managers' Choice" award. I was surprised when they called me out for the award. I guess the spikes didn't freak them out too badly. Actually, 2 of the 3 managers made a point to come up to me to comment on how unique and even "wicked" that the wheels look.
I'm sure that the wheels will now generate some comments and discussion, both good and bad, this year at cruise-ins and shows when folks see them in person .....either way, it will keep things interesting.
I decided to add one final "touch" to my custom wheels. I found some small chrome plastic spike caps that wound up working perfectly to surround the large center spike. These small caps are much like the slightly domed plastic caps with retainers that you buy to cover the license plate bolts/screws. The plastic retainers snapped right on over the "dummy" rivets, and then the spike caps were pressed on and snapped into place.
I believe that these small surrounding spikes compliment the large center one to produce a more blended look.....they actually take a bit of attention away from the center one, which is fine.
I went to a small cruise-in last Saturday at a local Sam's Club, and the 3 store managers got together to agree on a "Managers' Choice" award. I was surprised when they called me out for the award. I guess the spikes didn't freak them out too badly. Actually, 2 of the 3 managers made a point to come up to me to comment on how unique and even "wicked" that the wheels look.
I'm sure that the wheels will now generate some comments and discussion, both good and bad, this year at cruise-ins and shows when folks see them in person .....either way, it will keep things interesting.
Alex
Alex: Looks cool! I only hope all the smaller bullets are fastened good or you will have them flying off like counter measures from attacking missles,or rather cars behind you? I like your individual creativity!
Hal,
At first, I was concerned about that as well. Then I decided to super glue the retainers and spike caps in place. I took it for a test drive on a lightly traveled road. Now, I've had them on for almost 2 weeks, driven daily, and driven on an interstate highway a few times at high speed as well.....so far, no problems. The spike caps are plastic (not metal) and are hollowed out, so they are very light in weight. If I ever do loose any one of them, then they're all getting siliconed on in place.....gotta have 'em!
Jeff:
No, I can assure you that the spikes will remain only on the SSR, none on the owner/driver.
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VIVA DE FUNK
JAMES DEAN
SANDY
looking good, love silver & chrome.
Use The Parts exchange it really works
Actually, 2 of the 3 managers made a point to come up to me to comment on how unique and even "wicked" that the wheels look.
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