Comments on: When 22’s Aren’t Enough

By: BBMgnt

BBMgnt — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:40:52 +0000

Johnson….I’m familiar with the name and the concept, clearly not the conjugation of the word!!

Thanks!

By: Johnson Schwanz

Johnson Schwanz — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:16:23 +0000

BBMgnt,

LOL, it’s not called “boxing,” it’s a “BOX.”

Old Caprices that didn’t have curves are known to look like a BOX, hence the name BOX CHEVY. The rounded, mid 90’s version with curves is called a BUBBLE.

LOL…boxing wish it could be as famous as a donk right now.

By: BBMgnt

BBMgnt — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:47:46 +0000

OMG… if you think this is bad, how about that ‘boxing’ craze?? You know where they take s-10 spindles and put them on old caprice’s so they can fit 30’s and what not???

http://www.rides-mag.com/online/?p=1023

ugh. Ridiculous to the infinity power!

By: joeaverage

joeaverage — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:28:36 +0000

As long as I’m not bailing him out b/c he’s upside down (and then some) on a vehicle he’s driving with $2K of rims then I can successfully ignore his bad taste.

Yeah, I’m a little sensitive about the Wal-Street debacle. No, not a typo in my mind…

Seriously I find 15s and 16s to be plenty of wheel. Pick a tire and offset that fits the fender then.

By: dolo54

dolo54 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:39:53 +0000

That’s nothing. In my old neighborhood, east harlem, that was just average. Most people went bigger with a lower profile. I wish I had taken pictures of the Aztec with chrome rims on my block. That always made me chuckle. I think the owner was half joking. Puerto Ricans have more of a sense of humor when they pimp their rides. There was also a 1980 something Trans Am spray painted silver with flame decals and stick on scoops everywhere. That was an insane eyesore. I don’t know how people ride on lo-pros in nyc. I have 17″s on my car and hitting a hole would feel like the rim was bent in half. They held up pretty well though. I certainly wouldn’t want any thinner.

By: AuricTech

AuricTech — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:33:34 +0000

Personally, I prefer 16-inchers….

By: shaker

shaker — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:18:18 +0000

The three measurements involving tire/wheel sizes are not unlike the three measurements applied to human females: There are a range of values that are considered “attractive”, and this varies between cultures.
But at some point, all cultures must agree – “WHOA!”

By: ktm

ktm — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:57:25 +0000

While I would not personally outfit my cars* with 20+ wheels, I am not going to begrudge anyone that does. Some people like the color orange, others detest it. It is a matter of personal preference and expression. They are personalizing their car so that it stands out from the crowd.

Tires this size are outrageously expensive too. Most people buy them new as a tire and rim package. As soon as they have to replace the tires, though, the wheels go up for sale.

* I do think that a Charger or (especially) a 300C does look good lowered with the right 20s.

By: AG

AG — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:54:12 +0000

The potholes in the street just bent ya rims, man whatchu gonna do? ACT A FOOL!

By: iganpo

iganpo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:48:02 +0000

Even OEMs are following this trend. The Toyota Venza V6 will come stock with 20″ wheels. It’s a family station wagon!

By: psarhjinian

psarhjinian — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:40:45 +0000

Are you kidding me, you all should see some of the cars driving around up here. Imagine the most beat up ’80s Caprice lifted 6″ with 26″ rims. Or my personal favorite, a late model Caviler sedan with 22s, orange and black two tone paint and Lamborghini doors. Icing on the cake if you ask me.

That’s different. If the workmanship is done well, it’s just the latest in the long tradition of automotive art. It’s tacky, but so were chop-n-dropped ‘34 Fords.

I’ve seen some admittedly eyeball-searing Cavaliers that, when I got up close, really did show good attention to detail and workmanship. The cars were their owners’ canvases, and in that light I can respect them.

Does anybody remember that the original purpose of oversize wheels was to fit around oversize brakes? I’m always amused to see cars with huge wheels and through the spokes you see brake rotors that now appear to be about the size of coffee saucers.

The worst is people who paint the stock drums. As above, I can respect a car that, while tacky, is well-crafted. Painting the drums is like buying an expensive suit and wearing scuffed shoes and mismatched socks.

By: Johnson Schwanz

Johnson Schwanz — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:56:10 +0000

Me either, Buick61. Those are tame. Go to youtube and look up the 40″ wheels. Yes, forty freaking inch wheels. The tires (sic.) look like rubber bands.

The reason why you see all of those old cars with large wheels, called “donks,” “box” or “bubbles,” started with old school drug dealers. They would purchase an inexpensive car with cash and customize the hell out of it. So sure you may have a 1988 Caprice (”box Chevy”), but it has a 454 under the hood, 24″ wheels, cammed, headers, exhaust, fully custom interior, stereo system, and an exotic “candy” paint job. The insurance costs are low, but the credibility and originality are HIGH.

However, the kids today are doing it wrong. They’re getting Bubbles (1994-up Caprices) with horrible paint jobs, no interior work, etc., but are still installing the 24’s and up. They are, ahem, “half-stepping.”

By: Eric_Stepans

Eric_Stepans — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:48:52 +0000

These rims may go out with bang…literally.

Shortly before I stopped turning wrenches for a BMW dealer (2004, if memory serves), we were getting reports of X5s with the Sport Package (rims ‘only’ 19 inches) that would fire off the airbags if they hit a pothole too hard.

By: Buick61

Buick61 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:33:29 +0000

What are we looking at and why is it newsworthy? I don’t see extremely oversized wheels…

By: Stephan Wilkinson

Stephan Wilkinson — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:22:18 +0000

By: morbo

morbo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:17:13 +0000

Buddy of mine used these idiots to his advantages. Bought a used 300 with 20’s at a discount from the dealer (sine no one wanted a used 300 with rims anymore). Drove it until the tread on the thin profile tires was worn down, and bought a pair of stock 300 rims with stock, unused tires, off of craigslist from some idiot who had just ‘upgraded’ his 300.

Best part is his selling the 20’s with no profile/no tread right back on craigslist.

By: jaje

jaje — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:07:38 +0000

Gotta love those owners who outfit their car with 50+lb gangsta wheels and notice that they can’t accelerate or brake as quickly b/c they substantially outweigh the stock wheels. In fact if you cruise Craigslist and other used car ads you’ll see a very large number of slightly new gangsta wheels for sale b/c owners get rid of them quickly b/c the ride sucks or they need that $2-$3k they spent back to pay rent or gas.

By: Robstar

Robstar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:46 +0000

When you put big rims on, doesn’t that affect the odometer ?

We have tons of old (sub $1k cars) with big bling rims. I think they are the stupidest fad ever.

By: shaker

shaker — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:48:18 +0000

FWIW, it’s still more “low-key” than most Hummers look right off the lot…

By: AJ

AJ — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:33:46 +0000

Anyone that loves a 22, try a 17HRM. Wow does it reach out to prairie dogs much better. ;)

By: jetfast

jetfast — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:49:06 +0000

By: Areitu

Areitu — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:34:34 +0000

There’s a white 6-series in my neighborhood sporting deep-dish 22 or 23 inch rims, the lip and rim of which are painted white, and the face is painted black. The tires are unbelievably thin. I believe they’re now called “Bladez”.

Let me know if you want a picture…it almost makes this X5 look tame in comparison.

By: DearS

DearS — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:24:23 +0000

Big rims I think may seem to reflect competence and confidence. I think of big rims as an unconventional to measure the abilities of a suspension system. I mean if all road were glass smooth big rims would not do much for comfort. Under not so good roads though a car will not be so much fun. Interestingly enough new cars can boast about having a compliant and even sporty demeanor even with confronted with big wheels. Also they can look good. I believe the term is “make it look easy”. Although its also an unconventional way of seeing what works out to pretty and does not clearer. I remember reading, its our unconventionality (imperfections) that makes us unique. Also, wisdom is neither created, nor made, nor born, it is proceeding. If big rims do not embody the substance of proceeding it self, I dunno what does. Although I do not see enough reason to put big rims on my car, I like to see others try something so um….unconventional.

By: yankinwaoz

yankinwaoz — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:02:40 +0000

Wow… remember curb feelers? This, in my mind, is no different. Well, actually this is worse since it really impacts the ride.

By: ctoan

ctoan — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:45:54 +0000

Someone around where I live has rims that size on an 80s-era Cadillac sedan. I’m not sure what they did to the suspension to make them fit, but in any case it looks completely ludicrous.