This is a follow up post to my recent HRG Lift discussion. The 255/70/16 BFG AT tires are now installed on my 16 X 8, offset +19, GM Rally Wheels drilled to a Ford/Honda Bolt Pattern. They fit amazingly well after minor cutting, which I demonstrate below. This has been a three-month research-intensive and expensive journey, and I could not have done it without the many thoughtful EOC posts I read. Particularly notable is the detailed information from Cursh; RWC (who sadly has sold his E); and some dude named Swellement.
The Rallys are 100% made in California by U.S. Wheels. They are chrome steel and weigh a whopping 30 lbs. each (10 - 13 more than stock). The OEM center caps came off my 1966 El Camino and say "Chevrolet Motor Company Disc Brakes" (which my Elky actually does NOT have). Most guys on this site do not like chrome, or Corvette wheels, but, then again, most people don't like Honda Elements. To them I say, as a new resident of Portland, OR (by way of New York City), "Keep the Element Weird!"
Below are the best pictures I could take with the E on the ground showing the three (3) areas trimmed and the resulting excellent clearance. I did this work along with Art of 4WP in Portland, who did a phenomenal job. He only charged me an hour's labor (instead of the 2 ½ hours we spent) and no aggravation charge for me hanging over him in the shop (the manager was not too happy, but left us alone). First, the trailing inner front fender plastic was completely cut out around the pinch weld, which itself was ground down and coated with Rustoleum. Second, a tiny sliver of the bottom leading edge of the front fender plastic was trimmed off. Thirdly, we cut off and hammared down the pinch weld at the trailing inner rear wheel well.
I have not taken the E off road yet, but there's been no rubbing going lock to lock in the front and no rubbing front and rear over Portland's potholed streets. There's about 3/4" space between the front inner edge of the tire and the front strut spring cup, or coil spring seat, if you will. This is plenty as the cup itself does not move, but everything above it. If the strut cup clearance issue can be solved by someone, I believe the E is good for 31s, 32s, or even 33s with more drastic cutting/shaping of steel and plastic. A 4" total lift would help, but that may not be possible considering the health of the drivetrain (particularly, CV joints). All questions and thoughtful comments are welcome.
The Rallys are 100% made in California by U.S. Wheels. They are chrome steel and weigh a whopping 30 lbs. each (10 - 13 more than stock). The OEM center caps came off my 1966 El Camino and say "Chevrolet Motor Company Disc Brakes" (which my Elky actually does NOT have). Most guys on this site do not like chrome, or Corvette wheels, but, then again, most people don't like Honda Elements. To them I say, as a new resident of Portland, OR (by way of New York City), "Keep the Element Weird!"
Below are the best pictures I could take with the E on the ground showing the three (3) areas trimmed and the resulting excellent clearance. I did this work along with Art of 4WP in Portland, who did a phenomenal job. He only charged me an hour's labor (instead of the 2 ½ hours we spent) and no aggravation charge for me hanging over him in the shop (the manager was not too happy, but left us alone). First, the trailing inner front fender plastic was completely cut out around the pinch weld, which itself was ground down and coated with Rustoleum. Second, a tiny sliver of the bottom leading edge of the front fender plastic was trimmed off. Thirdly, we cut off and hammared down the pinch weld at the trailing inner rear wheel well.
I have not taken the E off road yet, but there's been no rubbing going lock to lock in the front and no rubbing front and rear over Portland's potholed streets. There's about 3/4" space between the front inner edge of the tire and the front strut spring cup, or coil spring seat, if you will. This is plenty as the cup itself does not move, but everything above it. If the strut cup clearance issue can be solved by someone, I believe the E is good for 31s, 32s, or even 33s with more drastic cutting/shaping of steel and plastic. A 4" total lift would help, but that may not be possible considering the health of the drivetrain (particularly, CV joints). All questions and thoughtful comments are welcome.