Do I need the steelie center caps?

Hello everyone! This is my first post here so please excuse any newbieness. I did some searching but didn't come up with anything.

I'm trading in my super-fun-but-getting-old Mustang for a 2010 SR5 DC today. I got what I think is a good deal on it since it's a new '10 leftover, but it has the stock steelies on it.

Since the family finance department (anyone here married should know who that is) will look down on an immediate expenditure for new wheels and tires, I'm going to try to sell a rifle and buy some tires only. I don't mind the steel wheels when painted black, but I'd rather not keep the center caps if they don't have a function.

My question is just that: do I need the center caps for any reason? Do they really protect anything? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

No, you don't need them. Many people here went the same route you are considering.

 

Nope, I took mine off. The caps hold in rust anyways and when I took them off for the first time I was like, "OMG RUST!"

 

Good to know - thanks guys. Dealer called yesterday and said the truck wouldn't be there until Monday, so I guess I'll pick her up tomorrow. Wonder if I can get the dealer to sell me some tires at cost for making me miss the best fall weekend we're probably going to have here??

 

This is what I did before I got my FJ wheels. Here are some pics to give you an idea of what they will look like. I painted them with Rustoleum flat black. Keep in mind these pics are when I still had stock 245 dunlops.

 

Nice, thanks for the photo. Your truck looks a lot like what I want to do short-term...black wheels and a (black) bull bar before winter. Then next spring I can start in again!

Picked it up today, I freaking love it. Dealership was even nice enough to not put a lame badge on it like they did on my Mustang.

 

Congratulations on the new truck! Have fun modding it out. I have to warn you though this site and spending money on your tacoma is wicked addictive.