steel wheels and back ups

[manco989]

Anyone have experience with 17" steel wheels on their GXP? Im looking for a second set so I can paint mine. Was thinking a Impala set of steel wheels or finding some oem set cheap from craigslist.

[CMNTMXR57]

Why would you want to put cheap looking steelies on? Most consider the Bonneville GXP 17" aluminum 5-spoke wheel to be one of the better looking wheels GM has come out with in recent history. Why ruin the look of the car with steelies?!

[RJolly87]

GXP 5 spokes are actually 18".

I don't recall seeing any steel rims on GXPs in my forum history. How much are the cheapies looking like? Also check after market options too, because a lot of times tire shops may be willing to move rims that have been in stock for a while.

[CMNTMXR57]

Doh, yup 18.

[manco989]

Im painting the stock rims i love the way they look just wish they where black going to use the steelies temporary for the painting process and possibly for winter tires.

[crash93ssei]

I would say just look for a set of 2000+ 17" chrome wheels and be done. If you look around you can find them pretty cheap quite often, I have seen sets in Michigan on craigslist with tires for $300 not sell for weeks.

[haro1225]

If they aren't damaged and you only want to paint them, take them off the car and do them outside. It only takes a couple hours for them to dry. I painted the wheels on the 96 GP while they were on the car.
If you really want 17" steel wheels look into the ones that came on the Crown Victoria police cars. I think they are 5x114.3 (same as a mustang) but I'm not sure on the offset if they'll clear the brakes.

[manco989]

I actually could have had 2004 bonneville chrome wheels $100 guy told me he wasnt available until today and he sold them 2 days ago i was in contact with him all week

[manco989]

And i do want to fill in some curb rash prior to painting

[CMNTMXR57]

Sorry, I thought you meant you were going to replace them completely.
Any GM wheel with a 5 x 115 bolt pattern will fit the studs. The three questions I can't answer are;

1) will they fit the hub
2) will they fit OVER the caliper (I.E. backspacking/offset)
3) will the wheel rotate around the caliper, meaning the drum of the wheel clearing the caliper.

[repinS]

If you really want 17" steel wheels look into the ones that came on the Crown Victoria police cars. I think they are 5x114.3 (same as a mustang) but I'm not sure on the offset if they'll clear the brakes.

I tried this route. OE Ford 17" steelies meant for a Mustang did NOT clear the GXP caliper. :( I had to go with aftermarket 17" alloys instead, which only left about a pinky's width between rim and the inner barrel.

[Ieatpeople]

crown vic steelies (03 and up) DO fit over the gxp front brakes. i have a set in my garage from my 07 vic that im going to use as winter wheels with snow tires.

they are a very close fit over the brakes, but they rotate with no interference. i might take a pic if i have time to show you guys.

[manco989]

The crown victoria is a different bolt pattern 5x114.3 as opposed to 5x115 on the bonneville the may slip over the studs but not properly

[RJolly87]

Generally the biggest concern with the 5x114.3 wheels is the center hub bore. If it's not the right size, then it will likely ride on the studs which is not what they were designed for.

[alexcoqui]

Anybonneville 17" rim will fit with the gxp calipers.

[Ieatpeople]

I finally got around to fitting my crown vic wheels with snow tires, here are some pics:






you can see the clearance for the front caliper here ^







The tires are Firestone Winterforce, 235/55-17. I've used this tire on about 7-8 different cars, and have never had any issue getting thru snow. My 2010 Silverado 4wd made it thru 18" of snow with a set of these tires, I've been thru 10" of snow with the set on my 02 Lesabre.

[CMNTMXR57]

Looks pretty tight over that caliper...

[Ieatpeople]

it is close, but i drove it enough to get the brakes hot and didnt hear any rubbing. Visual check shows no marks on the caliper or wheel.

[haro1225]

Those are about as close as my Brembos are to my wheels. Are the pads newer? If you put new pads on they might make contact then.

[Ieatpeople]

pads and rotors have less than 3k miles, just installed them a few months back (see signature)