After all my years of writing this column, I would have hoped by now that the people who design and build new vehicles would appreciate the insight into the aftermarket that Tire Review offers each month.
That being said, I have gathered information on several new vehicles and will offer a few tips on wheel, tire and suspension fitment opportunities for you.
First, there’s the completely redesigned Toyota Tundra.
For everyone who has enjoyed nearly four decades of success installing aftermarket products on Toyota trucks, the new 2007 may be a turning point, especially for the tires, wheels and suspension market.
Gone is the friendly 6×5.5 bolt pattern and low/medium offset we have enjoyed. Like others before them, Toyota has built the new truck using a unique 5x150mm bolt pattern and extremely high +60mm offset.
This isn’t a new bolt pattern for Toyota; it has been around for a few years on the LandCruiser and Lexus LX470, neither of which was ever an aftermarket-friendly platform. To get a set of wheels, you had to spend $4,000 to $8,000 on a set of three-piece wheels.
I contacted a couple of domestic wheel manufacturers to find out if they have plans to produce wheels for the new Tundra. The result? With measuring sessions still being held about the time you read this, and the truck scheduled to arrive in February, don’t look for any big selection of wheels when it hits the showroom floor.
Not only is the technical side an issue, there is the aesthetic side, as well. How many truck owners want a high-offset, flat-faced wheel? If they did, then the 1999-up Grand Cherokee and 2001-up Trailblazer would have better sales and more product available to allow consumers to individualize their vehicles. It’s not happening and never will, as long as the current odd bolt pattern/offsets are used.
As for the Tundra at +60mm offset, I doubt that the wheel manufacturers will be able to get a decent lip on anything. If they do build a medium offset to allow for a lip, the tire will probably rub the inner fenderwell or hit the bumper. Give it a lift kit, you say? Not anytime soon.
I called Larry Conville at Skyjacker, and he told me that he hasn’t even had a chance to get under the beast. That reminds me of the old Dodge Dakota/Durango with the 6×4.5 bolt pattern. It wasn’t until someone at Dodge woke up and built the new trucks with a common 5×5.5 bolt pattern that their sales took off.
Toyota has a new slogan: “Torque is the answer; it doesn’t matter what the question is.” Well, I have one for Toyota: “Aftermarket is the answer; why aren’t you asking the right questions?”
Now, on to other new vehicles for 2007.
The Chrysler Aspen SUV has arrived and uses a common 5×5.5 bolt pattern and 9/16-18 lug nut, the same as the Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango. There are some suspension changes that you need to be aware of, though.
Notice the underside of the Aspen. It has a torsion bar instead of a spring. The old Ford Explorers were built like this and were not the best-riding vehicles when larger wheels were installed, so be cautious when installing plus-two and larger on these until we see how they react.
Also, take note of how little room there is between the top of the tire and the upper a-arm. The OE wheel is 20×8.5 inches, so if you are installing a 22×9.5-inch wheel, perform a dry test fit to make sure it doesn’t get near any suspension component.
The other new SUV from Dodge is the Nitro.
It has a 5×4.5 bolt pattern and high offset, much like a Jeep Liberty. The bulging fender flares lend themselves to a medium offset, as well. I don’t see this truck as a hard-core, off-road vehicle but instead as more of an urban-transport vehicle. I see a lot of these riding on 20×8.5-inch wheels wrapped by 255/35R20 tires. Kudos, Dodge, you gave us something to work with.
Next up is the Honda Fit.
Once again, Honda has introduced an inexpensive car that will surely lead to aftermarket sales. At a sticker price of $16,000, consumers get a true four-passenger car with various interior configurations for cargo, auto trans with paddle shifters and room for a variety of aftermarket wheels. Remember the old days of the Civic? This car has the same appeal. Using a standard 4x100mm bolt pattern and extremely high offset, there is almost no limit to the possibilities.
Don’t let the extreme high offset of +55mm scare you on this one, because what you can’t see is that the 15×6.5-inch OE wheel actually tucks well under the fenderwell. That means you can bolt up an 18×7.5 inch with +35mm offset, and the wheel will reside just under the lip of the fenderwell. Turning radius looks good, as well. The OE 195/55R15 84H tire can be jumped up to a 215/35R18 with no problem.
Here is a big word of caution, though: Make absolutely sure you install an extra-load tire with an 84 load index. Remember, there are light- and standard-load tires that will not carry the load.
One decidedly different option for this car may be to set it up like the Scion Xb, with a low-offset wheel. After working in the industry during the years of the ‘roller skate’ cars in the early 1990s and begging people not to put low-offset wheels on cars requiring a high offset, it’s hard to believe I am actually telling you to try this. But, I have to admit that Scion and the drift scene have reached a new audience with this look.
Primax offers a wheel in its SportMax line (sportmaxwheel.com), the Series 002, that is 15×7 inches, 4×100/4.5 with a near-zero offset. This wheel has a 1.5-inch lip.
Bolt a set of fender flares on the Fit and one of these wheels (offered in four colors), and the car’s whole appearance will change. All that I ask is this: Please don’t let this get out of hand!
On the European market, the new, fifth-generation VW Golf GTI has arrived.
This car has a cult following. You either love it or hate it; there is nothing in between. It now shares a common setup with its Audi relatives – a 5x112mm bolt pattern and 14mmx1.5 lug bolt. This is a departure from the 5×100 in the fourth-generation cars. I mention it because there are performance parts for this car from VW and the aftermarket that will boost the stock 200 hp up to an R GTI level with more than 400 hp. It comes stock with 16- to 18-inch wheels, but the OE wheels lack style and appeal.
The last car on the list is the revised Hyundai Tiburon. It still has a 5×4.5 bolt pattern and high offset, but the body style finally has some appeal, aand it already has a great price point. I believe the car will become more popular.
When I found out that you can buy a V6 GT for less than $20,000, I was all the more impressed. Cheap fun and personalization are what it’s all about.
Watch for my mid-year column for the scoop on the rest of the major 2007 changes.
