Custom Anthracite Metallic and Code Orange KMC Grenade Desert Wheels

[swamp2]

Custom KMC Grenade Desert Wheels:

Custom powder coated Anthracite (metallic) plus clear coat and orange bead lock rings (no clear coat). Tried to match the hardtop for the wheel and body for the rings. Wheels matched much better w/o clear but still looks great IMHO. The wheels started off semi-gloss black and although I'm a big fan of black wheels, I wanted something to show off this beautiful spoked design better than black.

Lugs were a bit painful to find (NAPA). These are 1.9" long. 2.4" would have looked better but no narrow sockets will fit the 7/8 lug size on that length.

Plan to refinish center caps to match soon.

KMC sent 20 too few pieces of hardware (got the missing ones shipped very fast). Then when mounting the last wheel I noticed I got a mismatched wheel. Of course only noticed post powder coating...

These are 0 offset so they add some width and poke, 1.3" per side. Perhaps a bit more poke than I'd prefer on the rear but fronts look great.

Monster Valves of course!

For the weight nerds:

• Factory non-beadlock capable: 30.75 lb
• KMC without ring/hardware: 34.5 lb (wanted this number as a more apples to apples ax to wheel strength)
• KMC complete: 39.75 lb
• KMC with factory rubber: 113 lb
• This indicates a 73 lb tire, spec is only 65. That's a 12% delta. I used a very accurate load cell scale not a bathroom unit...

Sponsored

 

[nolimits]

I really like these, great job!

I agree black is overdone, and this wheel has a good design that gets lost with black as the color...at least IMO.

I have several questions and hope you will share some additional info. If you prefer to PM that's cool too.

1. Did KMC do the custom paint work? Or did you use a local paint shop?

2. If through KMC, what other options exist? Option for a smaller hubcentric 93.1 bore?

3. These are actual beadlocks and not simulated/fake. Any issues with getting your tires seated, leaking, etc? How often are you checking torque? Is she a daily or offroad only rig? Have you had it on the trail yet, and any issues or improvements?

4. Do you know, or did you inquire, if they offer simulated beadlocks? In my case, just thinking about maintenance hassle since I still daily mine.

5. I'm sure custom charges vary, but what sort of a premium is there to do something like this? I see the machined versions I'm looking at are running around $485/ea.

https://www.customwheeloffset.com/buy-wheel-offset/KM23478560500/kmc-km234-17x85-0

 

[swamp2]

I really like these, great job!

I agree black is overdone, and this wheel has a good design that gets lost with black as the color...at least IMO.

Thanks.

1. Did KMC do the custom paint work? Or did you use a local paint shop?

Local powder coater witn a lot of emphasis on wheels. I'd be willing to beg KMC (and 95% of manufacturers won't do custom colors)

2. If through KMC, what other options exist? Option for a smaller hubcentric 93.1 bore?

Again, some offer custom bolt patterns and bored but highly doubt KMC does (and they don't answer emails either...)

3. These are actual beadlocks and not simulated/fake. Any issues with getting your tires seated, leaking, etc? How often are you checking torque? Is she a daily or offroad only rig? Have you had it on the trail yet, and any issues or improvements?

Real BLs. Tire job was easy as DIY. Zero leaks. I will check torque after wheeling initially but not after thereafter. Now she's a daily and wheeling az often ax possible. You can't discern smh benefits of BLs unless you don't have them and debead at very low psi.

4. Do you know, or did you inquire, if they offer simulated beadlocks? In my case, just thinking about maintenance hassle since I still daily mine.

Pretty sure they do.

5. I'm sure custom charges vary, but what sort of a premium is there to do something like this? I see the machined versions I'm looking at are running around $485/ea.

https://www.customwheeloffset.com/buy-wheel-offset/KM23478560500/kmc-km234-17x85-0

Sorry, no idea. It's not even clear that dire/company offers custom offsets.

 

[nolimits]

Thanks for the additional feedback @swamp2, I will try to check with KMC directly.

Again, great job….looks slick!

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Custom KMC Grenade Desert Wheels:

Custom powder coated Anthracite (metallic) plus clear coat and orange bead lock rings (no clear coat). Tried to match the hardtop for the wheel and body for the rings. Wheels matched much better w/o clear but still looks great IMHO. The wheels started off semi-gloss black and although I'm a big fan of black wheels, I wanted something to show off this beautiful spoked design better than black.

Lugs were a bit painful to find (NAPA). These are 1.9" long. 2.4" would have looked better but no narrow sockets will fit the 7/8 lug size on that length.

Plan to refinish center caps to match soon.

KMC sent 20 too few pieces of hardware (got the missing ones shipped very fast). Then when mounting the last wheel I noticed I got a mismatched wheel. Of course only noticed post powder coating...

These are 0 offset so they add some width and poke, 1.3" per side. Perhaps a bit more poke than I'd prefer on the rear but fronts look great.

Monster Valves of course!

For the weight nerds:

• Factory non-beadlock capable: 30.75 lb
• KMC without ring/hardware: 34.5 lb (wanted this number as a more apples to apples ax to wheel strength)
• KMC complete: 39.75 lb
• KMC with factory rubber: 113 lb
• This indicates a 73 lb tire, spec is only 65. That's a 12% delta. I used a very accurate load cell scale not a bathroom unit...

Love the way you matched those colors. Your Bronco looks awesome. Thanks for sharing!

Sponsored