Visually speaking, what am I missing?

luttersj

luttersj

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So I put these wheels on earlier this year but it's not really the look I was going for. So what's missing? Are my wheels too small (17")? Are the wheels ok but it needs to be lowered?

car2.jpg
 
The rocker covers being that normal textured black plastic really make the car look as though it's sitting high. First order of business is to lower it... then if you have the funds, maybe think about either side-skirts or having those painted (which isn't cheap because of the steps involved in painting that type of plastic).

I'd have also went with 18" wheels, giving it more of an updated look... but that's just me.
 
well, I wanted to go 18s but two things conspired against me. I had a perfectly good set of 17" tires and couldn't justify tossing them. Also, they had a closeout deal on these wheels so I saved a bunch of money over the 18s.

Good call on the rockers!

I have 2 concerns about lowering. I'm in MN so snow will be a bit of a problem perhaps. then again, I'm in the metro area and the plows are out when there's a threat of snow. So I guess that's not that big of a deal. This might be a bigger issue, though. I have a hitch and from time to time I tow a 1500 pound trailer. The last time I had everything loaded up I took some measurements. The rear end squats down about 3/4" at the rear wheel. combine that with the fact that it's now lower and will I run into clearance problems?
 
I'm in Ohio man and I just don't think I could ever lower a daily driver around here. Up in MN it's even worse. If the car was garaged all winter I'd lower it.

Is the diameter of your wheels the same as stock? It looks like you went a little smaller than stock, I could be wrong. +1 to 18's.
 
Lower the car - it cannot be any worse than New York City. even my woman who doesn't drive says the streets by me are horrendous.

Secondly, no offense, but those wheels do nothing for the car.
 
NYC LS8 said:
Lower the car - it cannot be any worse than New York City. even my woman who doesn't drive says the streets by me are horrendous.

Secondly, no offense, but those wheels do nothing for the car.
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none taken. I'm not real thrilled with them either. they do look better in person and when in motion, but they don't do much for me while sitting still. I'm wishing I would have just pnied up the cash for what I wanted instead of going for the deal. But what's done is done. Now I've got to work with what I have! Unless someone wants to buy them!! :D

LsUnV2, what's the big deal about having a hitch on my car? How else do you propose I pull my motorcycle around? Having that trailer has been a huge help! There aren't many cars out there that I would want to drive and that can pull a trailer. The LS V8 is rated for 2000 lbs. Surprisingly, that's pretty rare. Which is BS. But that's a rant for another time.

Right now I need to figure out which spring kit to get...
 
Don't listen to him about the hitch. As long as you're not trying to pull anything terribly heavy, and as long as you're no ttrying to land a boat, you're fine.

I'm from MN too. I wouldn't lower it any more than the eibach's. Unless you have a dedicatedwinter vehicle. Or unless you want to use your LS to plow the driveway :D In that case, pick up a mach 1 lip too. :D
 
no, I'm not worried about the towing comments. I actually enjoy towing with the car. For one thing, it's rock steady. 75MPH on the freeway while getting 18 MPG. also, I love pulling into the track amongst the sea of 1/2 ton and larger pickups with my ass nicely chilled sitting in comfort!!

I like your idea of the Mach1 lip and lowered. I could make some cash around the neighborhood plowing driveways then I could get some new counter tops from you!!!
 
luttersj said:
So I put these wheels on earlier this year but it's not really the look I was going for. So what's missing? Are my wheels too small (17")? Are the wheels ok but it needs to be lowered?
Click to expand...

That is basically my car.
I have lowered mine, and I try to keep a protectant dressing on the tires, and the plastic rocker skirts. This keeps them prominent, and helps define the overall car.

The biggest thing though, is what everyone has said...lower it.
 
Garbone said:
That is basically my car.
I have lowered mine, and I try to keep a protectant dressing on the tires, and the plastic rocker skirts. This keeps them prominent, and helps define the overall car.

The biggest thing though, is what everyone has said...lower it.
Click to expand...

Were the pictures in your gallery taken after it was lowered?

I'm reading up on the process right now!
 
You shouldn't have much to worry about with towing and it being lowered... if you're running 15% tongue weight, that's only 225lbs... hell, I put that much in salt in my trunk in the winter!!!

If you're that concerned about the towing... Well, I was going to say get some helper air springs... but then I remembered this is an LS, not a mustang... it has coil-overs so you can't put an airspring inside the coil spring. No help here...

I live in MI and I've driven my LS in the winter two summers in a row. I don't have a lick of problems with the ride height using my eibach's; the Blizzak tires help, as does the added weight in the back to overcome any spots where the snow might be a touch higher than the rockers. Drop in an 8.8 limited slip diff, run blizzak's and you'll be good to hook!!
 
What size tires are those?

Are they 235/50-17? Those are my stock tires, they are a little more expensive but the size fits the car best.
 
NateRW21 said:
Drop in an 8.8 limited slip diff,
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Hmm, I asked at NAPA and they didn't have any of those...:D I'm actually quite please with the car in the winter with Blizzaks. Better balanced than the '02 F150 I had. Sure, I can't go through as much snow, but like I mentioned before, I live in a metro area where the plows are out at the first sign of a flake. So I really don't think ground clearance will be an issue. perhaps getting into my driveway, but that's about it. But thanks for your input, Nate! good to know it's possible.
 
luttersj said:
245/45-17 that's what was on the car when I bought it last summer.
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That may be the problem visually. I'd recommend the size I mentioned above if you don't want to lower the car. Tire shine as stated above also works wonders for your rims/tires visually.
 
Ya that might help. 235/50 will fill out the wheel well a bit more, but they'll also make the car sit 0.3 inches higher (theoretically)
 
and yes, bigger rims would vastly improve your appearance....but also subtract from your durability and checking account
 
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