Test Fit of Wheels on a Prius c

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by kkim, Mar 27, 2012.

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  1. kkim

    kkim Active Member

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    show me some 5x15 lightweight rims. I looked and couldn't find any. Closest reasonable cost rims width I could find were 6.5.

    I beg to differ on making the c handle. I think with a bit wider, lightweight wheels, some relatively sticky LRR tires and a rear sway bar will go a long way in making the c handle a lot better than the stock configuration. Replace the shocks with some high quality replacements like koni yellows or bilstein HDs and I really think the c will handle nicely. The stiff chassis, semi light weight and short wheelbase should result in a fine handling, high mpg (over 50mpg consistently) commuter, which is what I'm after.

    I work up on a mountaintop and on the way up the c gets only 39 mpg, but on the way back down, gravity is the turbo boost and the c gets moving pretty fast in some spots. Improved handling would really be welcomed there. My average on my downhill commute was 87 mpg. :rockon:

    the combined to and from commute averaged out to something like 65mpg... much better than the 40 mpg that I normally see in my FIT on the same commute.
     
    #21 kkim, Mar 29, 2012
  2. Tom Hamill

    Tom Hamill New Member

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    Any informed guesses as to whether this old Yaris wheel below would fit? Looks like 5-mm spacers would be needed given its 45-mm offset, but otherwise? Is the 5.5 inch width vs. Prius C's 5-inch likely to make any difference fitting the 175/65-15 tires?

    Yaris wheel description: The Manufacturer Part Number is: 4261152530 and the identification stamp/number is: SA20K. This is a 4 Lug 15x5.5 inch, 4x100 bolt pattern (45mm Offset), One Piece Alloy Factory, OEM Wheel, Rim. The position on the vehicle is: Universal. Interchange Number: 69553.

    Thx,

    Tom

    (cross-posted from steel wheels thread; thought I'd get more feedback here).
     
    #22 Tom Hamill, Mar 29, 2012
  3. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    #23 HI MPG, Mar 29, 2012
  4. madfast

    madfast New Member

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    175 tires on a 6.5 wide wheel? :eek:

    i havent found any place that sells them, but check out these JDM wheels made especially for "eco" cars: ECO FORME WEB / Top

    [​IMG]
     
    #24 madfast, Mar 29, 2012
  5. Tek55

    Tek55 Junior Member

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    Would those Enkei Racing RPF1 and the Bridgestone Ecopie EP422 (LRR) tires be a suitable fit?

    185/60-15 tires and 15x7 rims with 41mm offset with 5.55" backspacing...

    Anything I should be considering? The amazing thing is that they cost the same as my gas consumption practically with my old truck... 9.2 lbs rims and 16 lb tires...

    looks decent?
     
    #25 Tek55, Mar 29, 2012
  6. kkim

    kkim Active Member

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    My guess is that the tires would work on a 5.5 rim, based on the same sized 175/65R15 tire info from Tire Rack.

    Bridgestone Ecopia EP422

    however, the 45mm offset would concern me. When I test fitted the 195/60-6.5 40et wheel/tire combo, there was precious little room at full lock on the inside edges. With the increased 5mm could pose a problem. the only way to be sure would be to test fit the wheel/tire combo.
     
    #26 kkim, Mar 29, 2012
  7. kkim

    kkim Active Member

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    lol... that has me concerned as well. :D according to tire rack info, a 175 should work up to a 6" rim, but I've seen others put way smaller tires on much wider rims for the "stretched" look. While I'm not after that particular look, something tells me the 175 will work on the 6.5 rim.

    If it mounts :p, I'll evaluate how it looks and drives. If not, the original plan was to go with a 185/60 tire, but mounting the stock 175 will give some great comparison info to see how simply adding wider rims while still utilizing the same stock tires affects handling and mpg. I can always change out to a 185 tire later if the 175 proves to be a handicap.

    your link provided no wheels specs... or did I miss it?
     
    #27 kkim, Mar 29, 2012
  8. kkim

    kkim Active Member

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    For others considering a 15x7 rim, I'd be very cautious and test mount the exact size you are thinking of before purchasing. The 6.5 wheels barely fit due to the width. I would think/guess a wider wheel might be a problem, but that's my take on a 15x7 wheel.

    Test fit any wheels from a 4 bolt honda civic or any other wheel with a 4x100 bolt pattern and see what works and what doesn't. That was the whole purpose of this thread... to confirm that a 6.5 wheel with a 195/60 tire would indeed fit. In this particular case, I found no rubbing.
     
    #28 kkim, Mar 29, 2012
  9. madfast

    madfast New Member

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    just click on "products" up top and choose a wheel :D

    look at this one:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    comes in 15x5.5 +45. forged. 9.7 lbs!!!!!!!

    and fwiw people in japan are fitting huge 17" wheels on the aqua

    [​IMG]

    17x7 BE Force3 with 205/40-17. 55mm drop front and rear.
    [​IMG]

    AQUA

    17x7 +48 with 5mm spacer on 205/45-17
    [​IMG]
    i think he mentions stock wheels were the 16's so the decreased turning radius may help with fitment
    http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/1423515/car/1041007/profile.aspx
     
    #29 madfast, Mar 29, 2012
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  10. kkim

    kkim Active Member

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    thanks for pointing that out. :)

    as tempting as they are, I've been down the JDM road in the past and by the time you get the goods over to the states (if you ever get them at all), you've waited months and prices are exclusively ridiculous.

    That I could find something that would work, relatively inexpensive, saved weight and IMHO, looks decent was too good to pass up. I should have the wheels in by next week. I'll start another thread once the tires have been mounted and wheels mounted on the car.

    hope the info in this thread helps others who are looking to replace the wheels on their c's. :cool:
     
    #30 kkim, Mar 29, 2012
  11. Tom Hamill

    Tom Hamill New Member

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    I also found a Konig wheel that was close, the Maxxim Verse, 6" wide 4x100, +38, and some vendors carry them for $80 apiece. Opinions?
     
    #31 Tom Hamill, Mar 29, 2012
  12. kkim

    kkim Active Member

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    I like the look of the wheel, though it's a bit heavy, but still a pound lighter than the stock steel wheels.

    Wheel Detail

    In that link, it's a bit cheaper, plus they say to call their wheel sales experts to see if it fits. Try calling them and see what they have to say and let us know. :)
     
    #32 kkim, Mar 29, 2012
  13. Tom Hamill

    Tom Hamill New Member

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    I did call JC Whitney and had a long chat with them. They ended up saying that they didn't recommend putting them on a brand-new model. My guess is that they're waiting for all the official statistics from Toyota, and/or getting one into their shop and testing it, and they don't want to be responsible for shipping something and having it shipped back. So, I think we're waiting for Toyota to make the detailed information on the Prius C more widely available.

    Sigh. I love my new Prius C, but it sure seems like there ought to be an option other than the ridiculously expensive Toyota-brand 8-spokers...this is surprisingly difficult.
     
    #33 Tom Hamill, Mar 29, 2012
  14. strongbad

    strongbad Member

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    I'm surprised the wheel makers aren't more on top of the situation. Lets see:
    Fairly upscale car with steel wheels standard? Check
    No readily available factory alloy wheel option for many trim levels? Check
    Popular model? Check
    Enthusiast customer base that cares about appearance/performance? Check

    The car has been out for two months, is a worldwide smash sales hit, and the aftermarket wheel makers are fast asleep.
     
    #34 strongbad, Mar 30, 2012
  15. Tek55

    Tek55 Junior Member

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    I would add that except for the TRD/JDM/Aqua accessory manufacturers in Japan, the rest of the world's aftermarket manufacturing community is fast asleep.

    It's refreshing to see some websites finally INCLUDING the Prius C as an option, but when that selection is made, there's never anything for it.

    :mad:
     
    #35 Tek55, Mar 30, 2012
  16. B. Roberts

    B. Roberts Hypah Milah! Ayuh.

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    I contacted TireRack. They said that their fitment people are working on the Prius c and that they will have results and products this coming week if all goes well.

    The rep at TireRack mentioned that there are "fitment issues" with this car. I did ask if the Yaris wheels they have listed would work. Apparently there may be some differences.

    Toyota in Japan has a whole set of very cool options for this car, some are TRD and others seem to be in house products as well. Look at the aero kit on the "Summer Rain" Aqua pictured in madfast's post. That's one of the several shown as options on the build your c in the Japanese Toyota website.

    Very cool stuff that Toyota should make available for us. I lifted this picture a couple of months back, before the c was released here in the U.S. The wheels are TRD 16 inchers. Aftermarket doesn't seem to have a clue about this car... :wacko:

    I hope Toyota wakes up and makes some of the TRD options available here!
     

    Attached Files:

    #36 B. Roberts, Mar 30, 2012
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  17. Tek55

    Tek55 Junior Member

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    That dropped black Aqua looks TIGHT.

    I've never gone TRD before... How difficult would it be to order the Japanese TRD options? Is it just a pricing issue or are there more complications?
     
    #37 Tek55, Mar 30, 2012
  18. halcb56

    halcb56 HalCB

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    I appreciate kkim doing the 'pioneering' research/testing for us on this. The primary reason I almost did NOT buy my new C was because of the ugly (okay, that's too strong a word -- let's say unattractive) wheels & rims on my model Two C.
    I wonder if it's foolish to trust my local Toyota dealership to install new rims/wheels that are guaranteed to fit the C, and with no (or minimal) impact to handling and mpg?
     
    #38 halcb56, Apr 1, 2012
  19. Lenwood

    Lenwood Junior Member

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    my question is if i upgrade from steel wheels w/solid wheel. overs to lets say a lighter 8 spoke open alloy wheel will the open spoke wheel affect my fuel e onomy?
     
    #39 Lenwood, Apr 3, 2012
  20. kkim

    kkim Active Member

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    I'll let you know once mine are installed. :)
     
    #40 kkim, Apr 3, 2012
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