What You Need to Know Before You Buy Big Rims

When you drive down the road today notice how many vehicles now have custom wheels, or rims. Aftermarket rims are becoming very popular on almost all types of vehicles. From trucks and cars to wagons and vans, everyone is getting into the trend by getting custom rims for their ride. The most popular trend is to get big rims. Big rims have been very popular with show vehicles the past few years, but now they are becoming more main-stream. Almost every set of aftermarket rims purchased are for a vehicle that came equipped with a smaller original sized rim. On an average full size car, the rims size is normally between 14 and 16 inches. On a full size light pick-up truck the average wheel size is between 15 and 17 inches. Many people are replacing these wheels with 20 to 24 inch wheels. This is a big change on any vehicle and will make a dramatic difference in appearance and performance. Many vehicle manufacturers are catching on to the trend and are making vehicles come standard with bigger wheels. Some cars are equipped with up to 18 inch rims while some trucks are coming equipped with 20 inch rims.

When looking for big rims to put on your vehicle there are some things to keep in mind before buying the first set that catches your attention. Keep in mind what size wheels are on your vehicle now. Depending on your vehicle, you may not be able to go with a very large size rim without making alterations on the vehicle. There are actually 26 inch rims on the market, but don't fit on many vehicles without extensive alterations. That size rims are not for everyday driving, but for show only. The bigger rim you put on your vehicle, you will have to get smaller tires. The sidewall will have to be smaller in size to compensate for the larger diameter of the rim. This means that if you get a very large rim, the tires will need to be very thin. This can make for a rough ride and is not recommended for heavy vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. Also, a smaller sidewall means less protection to your rim when you hit a curb or pothole. If hit hard enough, this can bend or even crack your rim.

There are many different styles to choose from when choosing a set of rims for your vehicle. There are chrome rims which are very shiny and easy to clean. There are billet wheels which are a softer metal and bend much easier than chrome. Billet wheels are shiny when polished, but dull easily. Aluminum rims are available and are popular for trucks. Painted rims are becoming more popular now. You can usually buy painted rims in either black or white, but other colors are becoming popular. You can also take these rims and have them painted to match your vehicle. There are literally thousands of choices out there when you are looking for big rims.