Tires and White Lettering

[Ikarus]

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]

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]

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]

Try www.dbtires.com/special_interest.htm (http://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.
http://dbtires.com/photo_gallery/dodge_magnum1.jpg

[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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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...

[redinorange]

I will not be doing this anytime soon.WSW's do not look that good...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/redinorange/WSW01.jpg

[Johnny Wolf]

I will not be doing this anytime soon.WSW's do not look that good...


Rest my case LOL!

[Calabahn]

I just heard the theme song from leave it to beaver in my head when I saw that photochop of the white walls. The 50's they're back..

[redinorange]

Another variation of the theme...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/redinorange/WLO01.jpg

[Ferl]

I'm no good with photoshop, but I'm the odd one that actually prefers the factory rims.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/ferl/rims.jpg

[BUTWEET]

Raised white letters look pretty good. Whitewalls = "Ick"

[LowGo]

Raised white letters look pretty good. Whitewalls = "Ick"

My feelings exactly!

[done]

I noticed that the whitewall version is not dropped and represents smaller wheels. The raised letter versions are dropped and appear to represent larger wheels also. It makes a big difference on the first impression with the drop and larger wheels.

[67alecto]

I'm a total sucker for RWL - gimme some BFG Radial T/As!

[Ikarus]

Thanks for the 'shops. I think that killed the white wall idea fast, even though the car was red it still flat out looked bad. I think that the white lettering is probably a good idea though, I like the effect.

[Pablovision]

Those raised white letter look real purty.

Paul.

[BUTWEET]

Ahhhhhh....T/A's. Takes me back to high school days. :cool: I'm a total sucker for RWL - gimme some BFG Radial T/As!

[IDSmoker]

I think a set of redline tires on a retro, 'Crager' style, of rim would look great on any color Magnum except red.

[BUTWEET]

Ahhhhhh....Cragars. Takes me....oh nevermind. :roll: I think a set of redline tires on a retro, 'Crager' style, of rim would look great on any color Magnum except red.

[Kim Hufty]

Ikarus-I noticed you said you like the stock wheels and taller tires. Here is an alternative to the 20's & 22's. I also liked the stock wheels but wanted wider tires than 255's. Check this thread out on the 285's I installed on widened STOCK RT wheels. I did the rear only. The tires are taller than stock. It's been a couple weeks since the speedo was recalibrated and no check lights any more. I think the computer has learned the difference. I really like the look.
http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=13658

[Ikarus]

That really looks very good. Like I said, this is not an immediate thing, but now it really seems like larger rear tires and white lettering are likely on the next set. I assume that the dealer can tell me the specific tire sizes that the StarScan can adjust the computer for?

[convbcuda]

20s and larger look cartoonish to me.

Here's 17 inch wheels with redlines that I just installed last night.

http://members.cox.net/bpade/69RoadRunner/NewWheels/DSC_1591.jpg

http://members.cox.net/bpade/69RoadRunner/NewWheels/DSC_1592.jpg

[Ikarus]

Very nice. I think that is a bit too much of a classic look for me, but it certainly fits. Great pics.

[Rev.Hammer]

Now just looks RIGHT there,CONV-B!

[67alecto]

Only seeing Red Xs - tried cutting and pasting into a new window and still not loading.

[67alecto]

Only seeing Red Xs - tried cutting and pasting into a new window and still not loading.

Came back to the link and the pictures are showing now...must have been a net hiccup

[BlakeAlden]

Try www.dbtires.com/special_interest.htm (http://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.
http://dbtires.com/photo_gallery/dodge_magnum1.jpg

HEY, that's MY Magnum!
Here's the photo before they cut it up;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/blakealden/MagRedln22.jpg

Here's a closer photo;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/blakealden/MagRedln5.jpg

[convbcuda]

That looks really good! I've just spent a fortune on wheels and tires for the Road Runner, so the Magnum is staying stock.

I think the bluestreaks would look good on some color Magnums (blue for one of course). Silver and black Magnums would look good with either redlines or bluestreaks.

[BlakeAlden]

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.

Here's the original link for the thread on redline tires on a Magnum from Diamond Back Classics, if anyone is interested. I have used this company many times in the past for many different types of cars/tires and I highly recommend them:
http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=7404&highlight=redline+tires

Mine were done on the original factory 18" Conti's and are now my winter wheel/tire setup.

[convbcuda]

OK, I've temporarily removed the stumbling gelding from the center cap of the Fjord Mach I Mustang wheels on my Road Runner.

I'm eventually going to put discs up front. The kit I want uses 13" rotors and Dodge Viper calipers. It requires a different center cap for the Mopar dust cap to clear.

http://members.cox.net/bpade/69RoadRunner/NewWheels/DSC_1612.jpg

[BlakeAlden]

It looks great. I'd love to see a full outside side shot.

[convbcuda]

Here you go from our club's show at the Capital Trolley Museum. I should have taken more shots.

http://members.cox.net/bpade/69RoadRunner/NewWheels/DSC_1626.jpg

[67alecto]

Now you just need a license plate like "KYOTB8"

[BlakeAlden]

Here you go from our club's show at the Capital Trolley Museum.

Thanks for the photo. It really looks great, especially the redlines!

[Allevon]

AWESOME RWL!!! Now that looks like a hot fast car!!

[Allevon]

IMHO- "raised whites" look good only on old muscle cars, and tacky on modern cars.

Many of us consider the NEW Charger to still BE a Muscle car. Its the engine that defines that, not putting flat tires on the car. So having the RWL on the NEW Charger, is definitely signifying that it IS a Muscle car.