Help Wagon Collector Buy Shoes

So I bought a new wagon and I need help picking out shoes.  I planned to put Impala SS wheels on the car, but decided some aftermarket wheels might look better with the color.  This is the wife's car, so I don't want to get too crazy with it.

My plans for the car other than wheels:
1. 35% tint all around
2. Body-colored grille and door handles, black door locks
3. LTZ badge
4. Remove belt-line trim (it's pretty dinged up and dingy)

Also, I want to keep the 28" tall tire on this car... mainly because I won't be lowering it much.  Maybe 3/4" in the front and 1/2" in the rear.  The springs will be Moog 5030 cut one coil front, CC505 rear.  That usually puts it at the height mentioned above.    

Because 28" tall tires are limited for the Impala SS wheels, I plan to run 18x8 wheels all the way around.  With the 18x8 wheels I can run a 245/50r18 tire, which comes in just a shade under 28".  There's a whole bunch of options available at that size. Also running a 18x8 with 0 offset will put the outer sidewall of the 245 tire exactly where a 255 is on an Impala SS wheel... and that looks good on the wagons IMO.

My concern with the 18" wheels is mainly the appearance of the stock brakes.  Will they look ridiculous behind the larger wheel?  As seen below, I've chosen a fairly "closed" looking wheel to prevent big visibility to the brakes.

Here is the car as it sits today:



My first thought is to go with the venerable Torq Thrust II in gray.  The only thing I'm not crazy about is that hub cap.  Kinda wish it was round:



My second choice is the Torq Thrust M.  I like the hub cap better, it still has a stepped lip (I don't care for the Riddler type smooth lip), and the color is cool.  I'm afraid this might make the car look too aggressive:



Thoughts?  This car may make wagonfest this year, so if you choose poorly you'll still have to look at 'em!  

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me decide.  I've been obsessing over this for a few days now.  

Here is what the Coy's looked like on the MAB wagon with stock front brakes. Should give you an idea.



I vote for the "M's"

-D

Thanks Doug - those look nice on there. Good shot of the brake, too! I'm not worried about the drum brakes out back. A bit of satin paint and they'll look fine.

why the ltz badge? Rims, eh, they are ok. Would be nice to see something else out there other than torque thrusts. If your stuck on the TT's, then the M's are better since they off set the color.

71novaguy wrote:

why the ltz badge? Rims, eh, they are ok. Would be nice to see something else out there other than torque thrusts. If your stuck on the TT's, then the M's are better since they off set the color.

Never cared for the factory Caprice hood ornament. Aside from an Impala hood the LTZ is the best option IMO.

Still looking for suggestions, but I do think a silver center section would look nice on that car given it's color.

I'm running 235 55 17s (27.2 I think) and they don't feel small or look off in the wheel wells on Impala rims.   They are relatively inexpensive too as they are stock size on mustangs and couple other cars.

If 17s are interesting in silver  I have 5 of these brand new I will sell you cheap.  PM me for details

35% tint is hardly worth putting on the car. do from the B pillar to the back in 20% and the front doors in 35%.

You will not notice the difference with the "0" offset vs. stock offset, so go for the stock offset. You will not have to worry about hitting the rear wheel opening. The sidewalls are the issue in hitting the wheel opening, not the tread. The Impala has 27 inch tires, all other B-bodies have 28 inch.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

35% tint is hardly worth putting on the car. do from the B pillar to the back in 20% and the front doors in 35%.

This is exactly what I did. 35 on the front doors, 20 the rest of the way around. It looks good, is inspection/cop friendly (at least in MA) and helps keep the car cool.

I like the RIDLER 695's in grey for that car.  They would look sweet!

I may try the Ridley 645's for something different I like the look and its a more closed design also American Racing Salt Flats are a good look. Jeff

ridlers in black with polished lip,..

Dont get hung up on the center cap for the Torque Thrust wheels.
We had a set on a 94 suburban, and my dad hated the center caps as well. He found a ton of different center cap options for them.

http://www.jegs.com/p/American-Racing/American-Racing-Center-Caps-Wheel-Accessories/753241/10002/-1

http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/wheel-center-caps/wheel-series/american-racing-torq-thrust-ii-wheels

http://www.torquethrustcentral.com/index.html

The last link is a website dedicated entirely to Torque Thrust wheels.

Show us what you ended up with. I would also like to lower my wagon just a tad...it is our daily driver and as it sits now the air dam just barely scrapes parking curbs. Much lower and I am afraid I will rip the bumper off.

Bobloblaw wrote:

Dont get hung up on the center cap for the Torque Thrust wheels.
We had a set on a 94 suburban, and my dad hated the center caps as well. He found a ton of different center cap options for them.

http://www.jegs.com/p/American-Racing/American-Racing-Center-Caps-Wheel-Accessories/753241/10002/-1

http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/wheel-center-caps/wheel-series/american-racing-torq-thrust-ii-wheels

http://www.torquethrustcentral.com/index.html

The last link is a website dedicated entirely to Torque Thrust wheels.

Show us what you ended up with. I would also like to lower my wagon just a tad...it is our daily driver and as it sits now the air dam just barely scrapes parking curbs. Much lower and I am afraid I will rip the bumper off.

Learn to park further away from the curbs. Mine is only 2 3/4 inches off of the ground at the frame behind the front wheels. The only things that really worry me are driveway entrances. I have trained myself to stop when the nose of the car is even with the parking stops/curbs. My car never goes over the curb.

The Ridlers are a great choice, they have a round center cap, and the price is right. Under $700 including shipping off eBay. That's my current first choice (18" in grey/polished) when the wheel fairy drops $700 in my wallet.

Love the Ridlers own a pair myself,but always interested in something different. The Gray cast Salt Flats are really growing on me.

You can not go wrong with Torque Thrusts... ever. The center cap is cool lookin' imo.

Nice lookin' Caprice by the way.

Nice wagon, I love the color...I have one like it somewhere.

Personally I think the car would look fantastic with a minty set of OEM SS rims. I also like the TT M, followed by the RIDLER 695's.

I think the TT's or the Ridlers would look fantastic in gloss black with a nice polished lip on that car.

Hope to see the progress pictures.

Personally, I think that the Torq Thrust and Torq Thrus knock off look is played out.

I like these Ridlers much more, but that's just me:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-18-18x8-Ridler-645-5x127-0mm-Grey-Machined-Wheels-Rims-/371259372915?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5670c87573&vxp=mtr

Just put a set of the Torque Thrust Ms in size 17x8 on my OCC and I really like the look a lot.The finish is top notch and the snap in center caps look great too.

Stingroo wrote:

Personally, I think that the Torq Thrust and Torq Thrus knock off look is played out.

I like these Ridlers much more, but that's just me:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-18-18x8-Ridler-645-5x127-0mm-Grey-Machined-Wheels-Rims-/371259372915?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5670c87573&vxp=mtr

The Torq Thrust design has been called a timeless design,I agree its got staying power BUT,so tired of seeing them on everything.

I sorta get the idea of the 645s, but I think they are just too angular looking for this car. The Caprice has the smooth bubbly lines and I don't think the sharp spoke profile works for it.

I do have a nice set of Impala SS wheels I could use... but I have those on all my other cars. So to me anything looks different!

Still thinking. I do like the 695s, though.

I think its easy to see the 645s are a new twist on Torq Thrust look. Evolution,if you will.

Flasheroo wrote:

Just put a set of the Torque Thrust Ms in size 17x8 on my OCC and I really like the look a lot.The finish is top notch and the snap in center caps look great too.

Send me those BBS wheels. LOL

I think the TT and Ridler look great on lots of cars, but are a bit old skool for the super aerodynamic wagon . I really like some of the similar 5 spoke designs that are a bit more modern.

I think the Ridler 645's in black and sliver will look good on my OCC but the lower body moulding changes the look a lot from the Caprice and they are easy on the budget. Jeff

Stingroo wrote:

Personally, I think that the Torq Thrust and Torq Thrus knock off look is played out.

I like these Ridlers much more, but that's just me:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-18-18x8-Ridler-645-5x127-0mm-Grey-Machined-Wheels-Rims-/371259372915?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5670c87573&vxp=mtr

Since the Torgue Thrust was already about 25 years old when you were born and has been a top seller for over 50 years they will always look awesome compared to what you are presently running!
Kinda cold down your way about now isnt it?

Cold as ****, yes. Currently 36 degrees and I don't approve.

lol

autoarcheologist wrote:

I think the TT and Ridler look great on lots of cars, but are a bit old skool for the super aerodynamic wagon .  I really like some of the similar 5 spoke designs that are a bit more modern.

Got an example?

This thread is exactly what I was hoping to find today, so I hope you all don't mind me jumping in. I also like the Torque Thrust designs. I agree they may not be the most imaginative choice, but I think they look great and there isn't exactly a ton of these rolling around Toronto where I live.

I need some opinions on the rim finish as well as size. I have a RMW in tan/wood. I think chrome will work better than a dark colour but I'd love to hear what others have to say.

Also, do you think 17x7 with a 0 offset will look too small? How wiil they look on the rear? My suspension is stock with stock wheels currently mounted. I'm debating between 17's or 18's. I don't see myself lowering it, so I want to fill it out as it stands currently.

I found this one online that gives me an idea of the chrome look, even though it's lowered and a bit blurry: http://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fullscreen-capture-982012-102939-PM.bmp.jpg

Andebe wrote:

autoarcheologist wrote:

I think the TT and Ridler look great on lots of cars, but are a bit old skool for the super aerodynamic wagon .  I really like some of the similar 5 spoke designs that are a bit more modern.

Got an example?

Here are a couple examples I like:



I also really like these:



I saw a photo of them on a dark red or black wagon, but of course now I can't find it.

And these are a cool, modern interpretation, American Racing Hot Rod Nova



just a couple ideas. But again the price of the Ridlers is hard to beat.

The first to examples look like the Ridler 645. It really is tuff to beat the price. Avoid the crome,some of the members have had issues with them.

Mike LT1 wrote:

This thread is exactly what I was hoping to find today, so I hope you all don't mind me jumping in. I also like the Torque Thrust designs. I agree they may not be the most imaginative choice, but I think they look great and there isn't exactly a ton of these rolling around Toronto where I live.

I need some opinions on the rim finish as well as size. I have a RMW in tan/wood. I think chrome will work better than a dark colour but I'd love to hear what others have to say.

Also, do you think 17x7 with a 0 offset will look too small? How wiil they look on the rear? My suspension is stock with stock wheels currently mounted. I'm debating between 17's or 18's. I don't see myself lowering it, so I want to fill it out as it stands currently.

I found this one online that gives me an idea of the chrome look, even though it's lowered and a bit blurry: http://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fullscreen-capture-982012-102939-PM.bmp.jpg

Run a wider wheel. You'll like the look, and it'll be fine. The popular Impala SS wheel is 17x8.5 with a -6 offset, so you can go a lot more than 7".

You say you won't lower it... right now. :p I felt that way once.

I'm with Ray, go 8" or 9" to fill out the wheelwells.

Thanks guys, I needed the stamp of approval from someone. I'm in over my head trying to figure out backspacing and what's going to tuck in just right. In the front it already rubs when turning tight with the stock set up, so it'd be nice to push the wheels out, but I don't know how far i can go in the rear. Would you guys go 17x8 with a 5.05 or a 4.07 backspace? Part of me wants to be greedy and go up to 18, but I think 17 is probably fine...

I've got my eye on these (will shop around for pricing) http://www.wheelsforless.com/VN8157874

As for lowering it, I'd honestly love to, but this is just my first wagon and it's not my first choice in colour. I might save lowering for the next one.

The thing about these cars - they're old. Bodies aren't always straight on the frame. 8" with 4" backspace will work, but it might rub in hard corners. On some it does, and some it doesn't.

18" will fit fine. 20" will fit fine. Hell, I've seen guys run 22s and 24s on stock setups without lifting the car. Tire size is the most important thing there. Your stock tire is a 225/75R15, which gives you an overall outside diameter of 28.3".

For a 17" wheel, what I run is 235/55R17. Gives me a diameter of 27.2", so when my speedometer says 80 mph, I'm really going 77mph. In my opinion, this is negligible.

If you want an 18 inch wheel, you could comfortably run 275/45R18 which puts you at 27.7" diameter. In that case, 80mph on the dash would be 78.3 actual.

And lowering these cars is cheap. I dropped mine for $160 in springs and an afternoon in my driveway.

Search for Ridlers on eBay. Same look, 25% less.

OK i see what you're saying, makes a lot of sense. I'm not worried about any speedo discrepancies. I"ll run the speedo on the gps after I put the wheels on and learn the discrepancy.

My wagon is stored away in a parking garage with a steep incline for a couple more months until the snow goes away. When it's back as my daily driver I have a pretty tight parking garage space to get into on the daily but less of an incline. If I lower it i'll probably have to find a new place to park it next winter. Not the end of the world..

In the meantime I have two months to find a good deal on a wheel and tire package that doesn't break the bank. Thanks for the tip about ebay- I'll definitely end up finding them there, I have 10 ebay browser tabs open as I type this. The company websites have been good for research but that's about it. And the closer I can keep it to $1200 total, the better chance I'll have some cash leftover to tint the windows.

Having my wagon in storage is making for a lonnnng winter.

Yeah, but it's making for a happy, salt free wagon! I remember not being able to pull my Alfa out until April in Michigan. It sucks.

Wagon Collector, If you look at my reply post in this section under Argh, keep finding 10" wheels you can see what I have on my wagon. 20" Boss 338's. Backspacing, rim and tire sizes are listed. And the diameter is very close to factory so the speedometer remains correct.

Okay... so I bought some BG Rodworks "Rodder" wheels. I was looking for something with a bigger spoke look to it. I also wanted a lighter silver in the wheel. Not sure I love them.

Question - I will be painting the new front bumper filler body-color. I will also be removing the beltline trim. Should I paint the centers of the wheels to match the car? You know, while I have paint in the gun? Or would 1987 call and want their wheels back?

Screw 1987, I think it would look good.

Andebe wrote:

Screw 1987, I think it would look good.

Yeah. it isn't much of a color change, so it would be an easy shoot. Quite a bit of detail around the lugs though...

Here's my car with SS wheels just for more confusion!  

Kinda fond of that color,myself.

Leave them alone, that is a good looking wheel as it is.

Wheels darker than the car tend to make the vehicle look heavy and ponderous, wheels lighter than the body color tend to make it look lighter and more agile.

Even if the spokes are painted to be an exact match to the body, they will likely still appear to be darker due to the shadowing effect of the offset and - especially in the rear - wheelhouses.

You're on the right track with the lock faces & door handles, I suspect you'll like the new wheels even more once you get them on and the remainder of the trim adjusted to your liking.

Normally I'd ask if you were thinking of matching the wheel opening mouldings & rocker trim, but I'm not sure it would add to the SS effect with the LGM paint.

- J

Deadmanonduty wrote:

Here's my car with SS wheels just for more confusion!

Damn - that looks nice! Mine is a little more... um... experienced looking than that.

Andebe wrote:

Kinda fond of that color,myself.

Yep. I'm liking the gray cars these days.

JaySS wrote:

Leave them alone, that is a good looking wheel as it is.

Wheels darker than the car tend to make the vehicle look heavy and ponderous, wheels lighter than the body color tend to make it look lighter and more agile.

Even if the spokes are painted to be an exact match to the body, they will likely still appear to be darker due to the shadowing effect of the offset and - especially in the rear - wheelhouses.

You're on the right track with the lock faces & door handles, I suspect you'll like the new wheels even more once you get them on and the remainder of the trim adjusted to your liking.

Normally I'd ask if you were thinking of matching the wheel opening mouldings & rocker trim, but I'm not sure it would add to the SS effect with the LGM paint.

- J

I was thinking the same thing. I think I'll let the chrome wheel opening and rocker trim stay chrome to offset the window trim... which really pops with the windows tinted.

The beltline trim is in awesome shape. This was an always garaged car that barely got driven for 10 years. I would leave it on but I prefer the look of the single-tone cars without it. Plus my two-tone DGGM/Gray 6-speed car could use the trim. That car needs a facelift these days...

Done! I added a bit of lower all around, and added some black vinyl to the B&C pillars at the same time. Starting to look nice!

Still planning to remove the beltline trim. I'm also not sold on the pinstriping but I haven't looked into what it will take to remove it as of yet.

As cool as the other side of the pillow...

I'd say go with the Torq Thrust M wheels. They look nice and I already know that's what I'm putting on my wagon when I get it.

Kevin,
Looking good!

When we removed some of the pinstripe from the MAB wagon to put on the yellow pinstripe we used a 3M Stripe off wheel.
Amazon Link.

It's a rubber wheel that buffs off the pin stripe paint. The factory pinstripe is applied over the clear and it comes off really easily. I am also not sure but the paint may have faded around where the stripes run.

-D