Thoughts & opinions on big rims ?

[oldblu65]

I personally don't like the big wheels ( 20's or above ) on old trucks of any year , make , or model . My " cut-off " size is about 17" and I think anything larger starts to look a little weird ( out of proportion , off scale , etc. ). I know many do like the larger wheel sizes and I don't condemn them for that . " To each his own " is my mantra ! The larger size rims require the " band aid " tires that really look out of place on a truck . Just my opinion and opinions are like ...well , we all know how that one goes .

[clinebarger]

I hate big wheels!! Dont want to look like everyone else in Texas

[jonzcustomshop]

I think they make 'em look like a hot wheels car/truck... I like hot wheels
ideally style and proportion should be considered when making custom choices.. just going with 32 to say you have 'em is not the right way to go about it.. then you end up with a donk.

going with 32's and doing a radical lowering job, and correctly reshaping the wheelwells to look right with the tires/wheels, then I like it...

I like stock too, and I have a pic of a couple with 13's I like as well...

[TopFuel1966]

Big wheels are a weak suck........

[jchav62]

Donk's ruined the big wheel thing IMO...

[Sick5]

Ha ha I'm more in the middle 18-24 look good anything smaller or bigger ain't my cup of tea.
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[TwoFiftyShifter]

Eh, for me only I only like over 17 inches on lowered late model pickups. I prefer old school wheels on an old school truck.

[jimmydean]

I like a little more sidewall, but think a larger wheel with slightly smaller sidewall that still fits the well is best. I will likely run an 18 or smaller with a 4" or so sidewall. Enough for ride comfort but tight enough for performance.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by oldblu65

I personally don't like the big wheels ( 20's or above ) on old trucks of any year , make , or model . My " cut-off " size is about 17" and I think anything larger starts to look a little weird ( out of proportion , off scale , etc. ). I know many do like the larger wheel sizes and I don't condemn them for that . " To each his own " is my mantra ! The larger size rims require the " band aid " tires that really look out of place on a truck . Just my opinion and opinions are like ...well , we all know how that one goes .

Well said... I agree wholeheartedly. Personally anything larger than 17" look like clown shoes. Even back "in the day" I always liked L60-15's better than N50's 'cause I thought there wasn't enough sidewall height on the N50's. So it's really the lack of tire sidewall, and not so much the wheel size.

But then again I am an old fart.... old dogs and new tricks ya know.

[k1rodeoboater]

I don't really care for big wheels...18" is usually about right, sometimes up to 20"

[jocko]

I like two wheel sizes. 15x6 AND 15x7....

Just kidding. Well, kinda, I guess. I like 15x8's also.

Concur with the sidewall discussion. IMO, the sidewall proportion is what matters, not the wheel diameter. An example - I once purchased a 65 Impala with 15X8 vette rallies on it - BUT, the PO had 255/50/15s on the FRONT. Looked ridiculous (looked teenie in the wheelwell, etc). So I switched to 215/70/15 up front with 275/60/15 out back. Seemed right for me anyway (stance/sidewall/rake/wheelwell fill).

But then again, that is what it all comes down to - personal preference. Some folks obviously like the o-ring tires on 22's - and they put incredible amounts of effort in on their really nice trucks/cars - and they are rightfully proud of their accomplishment. But some like stock dia wheels, some like hoops. Neither is wrong.

I could look at it 2 ways I guess -
1. Variety is the spice of life, so it's all good....
2. If others didn't occasionally have bad taste, then how would I know my taste was so good!?

You can choose your perspective.

Interesting subj/thread, thanks for posting!

[SIDS65]

I love old style wheels on the older trucks but a few of the old wheel styles that have been made in larger diameters look really good too. Mainly the torque trusts in the dark grey center. My brother in law has these on his 70 shortbed lowered and they look great on it. I am not much on anything over 20 in though. Give me an old set of cragers or astro supremes, torque thrust, or my favorite just plain old chrome reverse wheels and I am happy. I agree as the others do on having some side wall. Too much rim and not enough tire can kill a look and then again poor taste in wheels will ruin it just as quick no matter what size. You cant go wrong with a set of steel wheels and a big and little trie combo. Just my 2 cents!

[creep]

For me it's more about the style than the size. I don't really like anything under a 17" except steelies, smoothies and ralleys. 20s and 22s look good if they aren't a flat faced, chome plated garbage can lid like I see on the wanna be gangtas' Tauruses and Tahoes around my town. Those tend to look like cheap jewelry. They need to have a decent lip, a nice simple design that isn't overly elaborate and at least 3.5" of sidewall. I had some 22s picked out for my truck untill I saw Wheel Vintiques 18" ralleys, the best of both worlds to me.

[skysoldier173rd]

Done a few hot rods and it seems like most had a certain wheel that really brought it all together. 200S Cragars or Cragar SS look good on 55 chevy sedans and the old fords look good with the chrome reverse. These trucks however just don't look finished with any wheel IMO other than the GM Ralleys with the trim rings and centers. Especially the ones with the small square slots. That wheel just looks like it belongs on these trucks. Just my 2 cents.

[erock805]

I think you need look at the entire package. What you are trying to accomplish. Then make sure what your doing with the truck is accentuated by the wheels. And almost always less is more. (that has little to do with rim size).

On newer trucks, like Squares and beyond I feel you have to goto a larget wheel.

[badriand]

I like both, just depends on style of truck. Personally on my truck big wheels would have looked retarded so I went small. I laugh every time I see one of those grand marquis or crown vics around my town jacked up with like huge wheels. One has a set of truck nuts on it also, blend of gangster and redneck all in one.
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[chainsaw]

Even with 15's I've always liked a smaller tire on front and a slight rake in back. Most people who run the big rims run the same size front and rear, and to me the fronts just look wrong being that big.

[Clyde65]

If I had a choice which I kinda do, I think the 60's thru the 80's trucks all look killer with the Rally wheels with rings and centers. I really wish someone would make a true steel "truck" rally wheel in 17-18" that wasn't $300 a wheel. If they did, I would buy those for my truck and be very happy with them.

[old_1966_GMC]

i enjoy small or big but it all depends how every one fixes their own truck. Some enjoy rims that are small size other enjoys the high ride i just cant judge no one everyone has their own mind in what look good and not on their truck,Its all depend on how the truck is built it just like if the truck speaks to u in ur mind to add this put or what ever but never cared as long as my truck looks good and purrrr like cat

[jitteryguy]

I agree the wheel need's to fit the car/truck. I also think if some one want's 26's on the Caprice and the lift is done safely then go for it. if we all put rally's on our truck's they'd all look the same ! Just because I dont wanna run a certian size wheel dont mean the folks that do are wrong .

[crawdadfox]

Depends on how much its lowered. On bags i think 22's as the max, with a static drop 20's. I think if you build a *****in' truck any size looks good!

[TheTurtleMan]

Even though I don't know what I am gonna end up with, I like the big wheels. Just put on what ever you want. Don't need to please and one but yourself. LOL

[mr andrerson]

2. If others didn't occasionally have bad taste, then how would I know my taste was so good!?

hahahaaaaaaa Jocko im stealing that one!!

[gimmy 64]

i am not a big fan of big wheels but on some cars and trucks they look good. i think the biggest problem i have with them is the rubber band tires that some put on them. i have seen alot of our trucks with big wheels that are bagged and laying frame with big wheels and i like them -not my style but they look good. i am a steely with caps and trim rings kind of guy no matter what kind of car or truck.

[turbostar]

Personal taste is personal taste,but being an engineer,I usually have a bias when I see more wheel less tire. There is a spring rate associated with the tire that contributes to the overall spring rate of the suspension. When a move is made to less/stiffer tires,is there corresponding changes made to result in an unchanged overall spring rate? One thing I really like about my 65 swb is the ride. I think I can keep the ride and a pleasing wheel tire combo without going big wheels.