How to Do Custom Wheels and Tires Like a Pro

There are several ways to upgrade the look and feel of your vehicle. Professionally installed tinted windows are always a quick and easy option. Custom lighting and paint jobs are two other popular ways to further distinguish your vehicle; however, nothing elevates a ride quite like custom wheels and tires. Although this can be a relatively pricey upgrade, the aesthetic improvement of a custom wheel or rim simply can’t be matched.

Rims vs. Wheels – What’s the Difference?

Let’s break down the difference between rims and wheels since these two terms are used interchangeably in some circles. The wheel is the entire metal structure that the tire is wrapped around. The rim is the outer plate of the wheel. This is important information to know if you ever find yourself shopping for wheels or rims. Wheels typically come in either forged or cast, however, split rim wheels are becoming more popular these days.

What are the Best Custom Rim and Wheel Brands?

Shopping for custom rims and wheels can be difficult because there is an overwhelming amount of choice. You could easily spend hours shopping online and barely scratch the surface of what’s out there. So, let’s make the shopping process a bit easier on you. The following are three of the most popular wheel brands currently in operation.

Lexani

With over two decades of experience in the custom luxury wheel game, Lexani has been an established heavy hitter in the field for quite some time. Their products are a crowd favorite with Lamborghini and McLaren owners, but you don’t need to have an exotic sports car to reap all the benefits of a Lexani wheel.

Their brand is well known for innovating some of the best and most contemporary rim and wheel designs that make lasting impressions. In addition to cranking out some of the most elegant and original wheel designs money can buy, Lexani also manufactures tires, luxury grilles, and off-road products. Lexani makes both one-piece wheels and forged wheels for cars, SUVs, and trucks. We particularly like their Concave Sport Series wheels.

BMF Wheels

Based out of Detroit, BMF Wheels is known throughout the industry for manufacturing the deepest straightest profiles available in the 20” and 22” varieties. They make wheels exclusively for trucks and large capacity vehicles such as Ford F150, Ram 1500, and Jeep Wrangler.

The offers break down into three styles: BMF Hustle, BMF Payback, and BMF Roulette. The Hustle is the cleanest and most classic of their stylings. The Payback is an eight-spoke styling that looks like black glass. The Roulette is the most eclectic of their stylings that comes with BMF’s exclusive Freedom Cap. If you want to enhance the curb appeal of your truck or Jeep, you can’t go wrong with BMF Wheels.

Advanti Racing Wheels

For those of you with a speedy whip or racing-ready vehicle, Advanti Racing has been cranking out unique and exotic wheels for over a quarter of a century. With Advanti’s history deeply rooted in F1 racing, you can see how that inspiration has carried with them over the years. They routinely design and manufacture wheels that are epically sleek.

The Advanti DST line uses a process called flow-forming, which results in a lighter yet stronger final product. Be sure to check out the Advanti Racing line and their discontinued section for other great wheel options.

Start Shopping for Custom Wheels

The world of custom wheels is easy to get lost in considering how vast it is and the number of new products that roll out year after year. Custom rims and tires are the same way. The best way to approach it is by finding a few trusted brands that already have an established reputation in the industry for producing high-quality products.

It’s important that your wheels and rims look good, of course, but don’t lose sight of the fact that they need to be able to perform from a driving perspective as well. Make sure that you purchase the right size and be mindful of the weight and the type of metal being used. A significant change in the wheel may affect how the vehicle drives.  

Remember, when in doubt, you can also consult your local auto shop or the person who will be performing the installation about how a change in wheels, rims, or tires is going to change your vehicle’s performance.