My old 4Runner wheels repainted wrapped in 315/75/16 KM2s

[RedDragonATL]

OK, well, this project REALLY started last fall when I decided I needed lockers. At that point, since they were opening the diffs, and I knew I wanted to upsize my tires at some point (was riding 265/75/16s), I regeared to 5.29s. So, ever since then I have been pining for some new rubber.

So...fast-forward to the beginning of June or so, and I decided it was finally time to do SOMETHING about some new tires. Since I still had my old 4Runner wheels laying around, and I am cheap, and the KM2s I wanted are pricey (well, it seems all 315/75/16s are pretty pricey), I decided I would TRY to refurb my old wheels and put the new tires on them. I found a few good deals around town, but nothing could touch Amazon with no tax and free shipping. Yes, I have to get them mounted and balanced, but that was a given anyway.

So, I started on my old wheels. They were in pretty bad shape. The clear coat had yellowed and was cracking and peeling on most of the wheels. So, I broke out the sander and did a fair job of knocking it all off and prepping them for paint. Before I go any further, let me say that I know little to nothing about painting, and made some mistakes along the way. I don't know how long they will "last", especially with the way I drive off-road, but it was worth my time and effort, I think.

So, I decided on a red & black theme, as that is what I have been going with on my rig lately (Black SR5 with red accessories, at least). I decided to paint the inside of the wheels red, as you can see them sometimes.

On to the fronts...

I started to paint the outside of the wheels red...

but, then I remembered I needed to prime first...so...I did that.

Ooooh...and look what the UPS man brought me!

And, then they sat in my garage for a while, as I finished the wheels.

OK, now that they were primed, I put the red on the outer rims of the wheels. A LOT of coats...I lost count.

Then, I meticulously taped off that outer rim. I tried to keep the radius correct in the spots where I didn't have an edge to work with.

To Be Continued...

 

[RedDragonATL]

OK, where was I? Oh yeah...

The black!!

And, tape removed! Turned out pretty good. I had a little black bleed-through into the red in a few spots, but not too badly. I really didn't let the red cure long enough, and you can see the tape marks on the red, but after I cleared them, you could not see it at all.

And, with the TRD logos applied! I got these off of Amazon from a seller named tomkoz. I didn't realize at the time they were coming from SWEDEN!... but they got here in less than a week, so I really couldn't complain. They seem to be high quality.

OK, confession time....

AFTER I put on these logos, I realized that inside the curved parts of the wheels, the primer had gotten a texture to it, and I didn't sand it down. So, the paint didn't stick in those "textured" spots. So, I ended up taping off the red (again!), although this time I just fudged into the black some. I also covered the TRD logos, although I didn't do this ideally, as you (well, me) can see the outline of the tape around the logo if you look closely.

I was happy, though. For about $50-$60 worth of paint and supplies, I think it was worth it.

And, I then found a tire shop that could mount the tires without touching the front of the wheels, as I am worried about how much they can withstand. And, I got them on the truck yesterday! Then, spent a few hours (it was hot...I took a lot of breaks) grinding and cutting to get them clearanced. Probably still need some work when the front is flexed, but can turn to full lock without touching on flat ground. Yay! We'll see how long they hold up. I already took a nick out of one taking the fronts on and off while clearancing. Oh, and I f-ed up a spacer lug not yesterday, too...that was fun. I will try and get a replacement lug next week. I always manage to break or mess SOMETHING up while working on my truck.

One shoe off and one shoe on...or something...

Passenger side with the old wheels & tires (Dk Cepek FCIIs on Helo 842s)

Passenger rear

Oh, and I knocked off the fender flair taking one of the tires off of the roof at the tire shop. Yay me! *bash*

Passenger front

And, driver's side!

I wonder how much I can get for my old wheels & tires...hmmmm? I need a new rear bumper!

 

[RedDragonATL]

Forgot to mention a few things. I used a automotive self-etching primer, black Duplicolor wheel paint & clear, and a red engine enamel for the paint. And it was the spacer lug that was messed up, not the lug nut (well, truth be told, it's trashed, too). Oh, and I do know it's a flare, not a flair, but I got carried away, I guess.

I didn't ever mention it, but I cleared over top of everything with 8-10 coats.

Ok, I feel better.

 

[Qjake]

Looks good! I like the black/red two tone :thumb3:

You obviously have no concerns with putting a 12.5" wide tire on a 7" wheel eh?

Can't hardly wait til the 5th gen 7" wheel police see this :lmao:

 

[RedDragonATL]

Looks good! I like the black/red two tone :thumb3:

You obviously have no concerns with putting a 12.5" wide tire on a 7" wheel eh?

I had "some" concerns, but I've seen many 8" wheels with the 12.5" tire, and I talked to a TTORA buddy who did 7" wheels and hasn't had an issue. I will keep you posted!

 

[Baja Runner]

Looks good to me !

 

[BucknutBob]

I like the look of the paint job--very creative design. For the record, a 7" rim is well below the minimum width recommended by BFG, and it will distort your tread pattern and wear unevenly. The truck looks great with the painted rims and tires--some red on the various accessories (roof rack, armor) would really tie everything together (just small amounts, like striping). Just an idea...

 

[RedDragonATL]

I like the look of the paint job--very creative design. For the record, a 7" rim is well below the minimum width recommended by BFG, and it will distort your tread pattern and wear unevenly. The truck looks great with the painted rims and tires--some red on the various accessories (roof rack, armor) would really tie everything together (just small amounts, like striping). Just an idea...

Yes, I have been debating on painting the entire roof rack red. I already have the red axe & shovel, but the paint has faded from the sun, and looks kinda pink now. I might paint more of my high lift red as well.

I will keep an eye on the wear on the treads and keep you posted! Hoping for the best!

 

[tinman]

Good job on getting creative with the paint & meticulous with the taping...it turned out well! And about the odd wear with the 12.50 on a 7" wheel...if you see some wear you don't like in a couple thousand miles, you can sell your old wheels & tires and buy some wider wheels to correct the uneven wear.

Props to you for using what you had sitting around in the garage. My stock 16" wheels are sitting in my garage with old 255 size tires on them. I think often about getting some tires for them & going back...tires are a little less expensive than 17's typically, and I think they look good.