New Wheels/Tires, Thule 696 Install

[workmeistr]

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

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.

[vt_maverick]

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!

[Marlin]

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

[PittVXr]

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

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

[Etfren]

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.

[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!!!

[Marlin]

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!!!

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)

[Riff Raff]

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)

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.

[Hiredgoon]

Agreed, that's a sharp looking unit.

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?

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.

[workmeistr]

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.

[vt_maverick]

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.

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?

[vt_maverick]

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

[eternal21]

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

[Mile High VX]

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.

[workmeistr]

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.