I did a thing... Now what to do.... Vintage KMC wheels

I fell in love with these as soon as I saw them on Craigslist and had to have them.

18x8.5 4.5 backspacing KMC billet wheels from 2003 with OMF simu-locks beautifully welded. Perfect shape $300 for all 4. I bought them because I know I can turn them easily for a profit.

So much I can do with these. They look dated but then there is something very cool and compelling about them. I think with the right combination of paint and hardware they will look amazing. I'm thinking black rings and painted center, or I may even leave center polished, who knows. Polished forged wheels are starting to make a comeback.

First step will be test fit.

 

Look at these welds!

 

that was the first thing i noticed, believe me.

 

These things are industrial art.

 

Hmmmmmmm.... I don't hate it.

 

Photoshop versus current.

 

I think it really looks good with the beadlock painted black which is where I think I want to go (although I really hate to paint the welds)

 

they are kinda crazy looking, i kinda like them on but now i'm seeing how high maintenance those would be to keep looking nice. i kinda like the black lip if you do that, wonder how they would look all coated.

 

I didn't mind too much polishing my old Welds when I washed it and then maybe having them professionally done once a year. I do like how the polished look is softer and darker than chrome.

 

I measured them, these are actually 18x9.5s with 4.5 backspacing (-19mm offset)! eek. Inner clearance is same as 16x8 4.5 BS (0mm offset), but face of 9.5 is 1.5" extended. I plan to get narrower tires, so that would account for 1" less section width compared to 315/75R16. Overall, something is going to stick an inch out past where it is now.

On the plus side, the new tire's sidewall will square off instead of balloon which I prefer.

 

Use as is.

 

digging it. Ok. I wouldn't paint prematurely anyways. I can paint things mounted.

 

Well, first things first, I need to test fit for caliper clearance on the back face because I am definitely not running spacers. Center bore is 109mm so ok there.

 

They passed caliper clearing tests no problems with about 5mm to spare for which is fine with me.







With my spindles these work out to 18x9.5 -38mm so they poke like the deep 9" SCS wheels.

 

Wow they even welded fake beads on the back. These were from an old SEMA truck I guess, not a bit of brake dust on them.

 

These are sooooo sick
another vote for run em!

 

I’m lovin’ it!

 

Plus 285/75r18's are a thing

 

I'm torn between 285/75r18s or 295/70r18s.