My first mod. (wheel-strengthening)

So, I've had my '16 Tacoma for about 300 miles now, and I decided it was time for my first mod. I haven't seen this aftermarket part discussed on the forum before, but it makes sense to me that it would add a lot of strength to the wheel. I documented it pretty well, so I went ahead and typed up a tutorial. I'm not the most tech-savvy or mechanically-minded person, but hopefully it will be of some use to someone. Again, this was done on my '16 with 18" wheels, but may be applicable to other models. I call it the "wheel bling" mod.

You'll notice a small black cap on the outside of each of your wheels (on the right side of this image). I'm not sure what they do, but the factory part is made of a thin, soft plastic.


Apparently, they make a more high-impact, off-road compatible component to replace this cap. I'm not sure what they're called, but my local hardware store had some of them in stock, and recommended I install them when I asked about off-roading parts.

On each of the wheels, these caps will come off if you twist them counter-clockwise, with a little bit of force. I couldn't find a wrench to get them off (my hardware store didn't have one), but there may be one available.
The new caps go on the same way the old ones came off, only you need to twist them clockwise. I got them as tight as I could with my fingers, but I'll check them in a couple miles to make sure they are still snug.



That's it. The wheel looks so much stronger, and more aggressive. This isn't all that hard of a mod. It only took me 20-30 minutes.

 

LMMFAO.....took me a minute.

 

Haha well played.

 

Haha I had to read that a couple of times because I thought you were talking about the center cap.

 

Rule #1: never use chrome or metal valve caps on your valve stems with tpms sensors cause corrosion can ruin the valve inside the stem!

 

Maybe corrosion-resistant caps will be my next mod.

 

Regular plastic ones work just fine lol

 

Hey, it's a truck! Hope the neighbors don't think you are getting too uppity with the shiny parts.

 

Man that was a good one,just got new wheels and tires from Discount Tire, they put on gray plastic valve stem covers, makes sense now.

 

I wouldn't want to add all that weight to my truck. Don't you know that rotating mass will kill your gas mileage? You'd better re-balance your tires or add 1/500th of an ounce of Dyna Beads to each tire. You damn youngsters with all yer "modifications". You're going to hurt someone! I hope you just voided your warranty!

 

Depending on the metal in those "after-market" caps.... You may not like the end result....

Steel + aluminum = CORROSION = You will not like them anymore..

 

Hmmmm. Might have to shoot some LPS1 in each one. A rust and water inhibitor.

 

IBFTL!

 

I know. I wanted the factory wheel locks, but couldn't find a truck with them. I'm still looking around for some good aftermarket ones.

 

Really dude?

 

Word. I put on some black TRD wheel strengtheners and I've noticed a 10 hp improvement, at least one better empeegee, and I broke a speed bump when I drove over it last week.

5 stars on Aliexpress.

 

I just checked mine and they put the rear ones on the front from the factory!!!! Everyone check your caps!!!!!

 

Quote for truth. The strong caps are axle specific. Just because you can rotate tires front to back doesn't change the cap requirements. The soft plastic caps don't give a shit, but never do that with the strong caps.

 

Calling all fabricators! Skid plates for our caps.