Tires and White Lettering

Ikarus · 06-29-2005, 12:59 PM

First off....I have an AWD RT so I know that tire and rim selections are limited. I have 9k on the car so it will still be a bit until I want to make a decision about trying to modify rims or tires, but it is never too early to start looking.

I am seriously considering white lettering or maybe even as far as white wall (unlikely) tires. I have a black mag and I have also thought about rally stripes in the future in white. I was wondering if anyone has seen this or had any tire experience trying to find white wall or white lettering tires? I am more than likely going to stick with stock rims, but was considering wider and taller tires.

Johnny Wolf · 06-29-2005, 02:18 PM

IMHO- "raised whites" look good only on old muscle cars, and tacky on modern cars.
"white walls" look good on Grandpa cars (caddy's, lincoln's etc) and awsome on old school suede black "rat-rods" especially with red rims and hub caps.

I understand going wider, but why would you go taller?

Again these are just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

Cdn_Magnum · 06-29-2005, 02:29 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Johnny Wolf
	IMHO- "raised whites" look good only on old muscle cars, and tacky on modern cars. "white walls" look good on Grandpa cars (caddy's, lincoln's etc) and awsome on old school suede black "rat-rods" especially with red rims and hub caps. I understand going wider, but why would you go taller? Again these are just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

HAve to agree with all the above. IF you really wanted to try white letters you could use a white grease pencil and fill in the existing letters to see what its like (cant picture it looking good tho). As far as wider/taller... wont happen, the travelling circumference of the tread will screw up the OBC and speedo. As you noted, tire selection is currently limited. If anything you will see wider/shorter tires start to appear on the market for our rides, but its doubtful it will go the other way becasue of what I noted above. Tire 'fitment' is a crucial element on vehicles these days. I thin if you actually check with DC you will find the largest recommended rim is 20" as well.. (If you talk with one of their engineers he will most likely mention that larger will damage front end components, as discussed in other threads)

convbcuda · 06-29-2005, 02:42 PM

Try www.dbtires.com/special_interest.htm and see what they can do. I just ordered a set of 255/50/17 tires from them for my 69 Road Runner. I told them what tire I wanted, and they use vulcanization to remove the sidewall markings and put a redline on it like the original Polyglass tires of the 60s. Mine just arrived, and I haven't had a chance to even unwrap them.

They mostly do redlines, bluestreaks and wide whitewalls but they might be able to do white letters. The best thing is they can do it to any brand of tire. It's not cheap, though.

Here's a Magnum they did with redlines.

Ikarus · 06-29-2005, 03:15 PM

Johnny Wolf -
I agree that the white walls and even white lettering is usually for older style cars, but something about the Magnum keeps making me think that the appearance of the car could almost pull it off. For the height I had hoped that the slight increase in height would provide a middle ground between 18" rims and 20" rims. I personally think that the 18" stock is a bit small, but most of the aftermarket 20"'s that I have seen tend to dominate the profile.

Cdn_Magnum -
Thanks for the suggestion I might try that this weekend, weather permitting. I had mostly hoped to stick with the stock rim and use a taller tire to fill some of the space without going to a large size rim or trying to lower the car.

convbcuda -
I am still hoping to avoid going too custom with any part of the car, and I always worry about any form of warranty in these situations.

Thanks for all the input and suggestions so far!

SoCalRT · 06-29-2005, 03:22 PM

The clearance between the stock tire and the nut on the upper A-arm will limit your increase to about an inch before you run into rubbing issues.

convbcuda · 06-29-2005, 03:39 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Ikarus
	convbcuda - I am still hoping to avoid going too custom with any part of the car, and I always worry about any form of warranty in these situations. Thanks for all the input and suggestions so far!

Are you worried about the car's warranty? You're allowed to put any tire on the car that fits and it won't void the warranty. You can even have Diamondback tires put redlines on OEM replacement Continentals if you want. Putting something on the sidewall of the tire has no impact on the car.

If you put larger wheels on the car you're having more of an impact than putting Diamondback tires on the car.

Ikarus · 06-29-2005, 04:07 PM

It is not really a warranty issue so much as a consistency issue. I am a very big fan of keeping the stock look and most modifications have been done with either stock appearance or at least a consistent stock appearance in mind. The other factor is mainly avoiding spending too much on the tires. This is a daily driver so appearance is tempered with some cost considerations on things that "wear down".

Johnny Wolf · 06-29-2005, 06:11 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Ikarus
	Johnny Wolf - I agree that the white walls and even white lettering is usually for older style cars, but something about the Magnum keeps making me think that the appearance of the car could almost pull it off. For the height I had hoped that the slight increase in height would provide a middle ground between 18" rims and 20" rims. I personally think that the 18" stock is a bit small, but most of the aftermarket 20"'s that I have seen tend to dominate the profile.

I can see where you are coming from. But if you go with that style of tire you should have a "retro" wheel that ties it all in ie: torque thruster tc...