Video Summary 

Join Factory Reproduction’s fitment specialist, Jason VanOel, as he discusses our FR73 Demon Replica Wheel.  If fitment, size and available finishes are questions on your list, we have you covered. We also discuss tire sizes and debunk a common misconception regarding the fitment of larger tires on your Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300C models. 

Video Transcript

Disclaimer: These transcripts are auto generated therefore we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy.  For best results, the transcript should be used in conjunction with the video.

Hi, this is Jason with Factory Reproductions coming to you about our FR73 Replica Demon wheel.

Our FR73 Demon Replica wheels are offered in 20×9.5 and 20×10.5, in four different colors. We have the gloss black that we’re showing here, satin black, bronze and chrome, to fit all the Chargers, Challengers, Magnums and 300c’s out there – RWD only. 

Tire Size and Fitment

The tire size that we’re running on these is 20×9.5 with a 275/40/20 inch tire. Staggered sizing on them is 20×9.5 and 20×10.5 with 275/40/20s or 315/35/20s, with the offset that does fit under the rear, no problem without any rubbing, along with the front. The 275/40/20 tires are stock on the SRT’s and a lot of the 392s. You can also run the 245/45/20s that do come stock on a lot of the standard Chargers, Challengers and 300C’s.

A lot of people out there are worried about the 315 fit in the rear because when the vehicle is in the air, the suspension sags and goes into negative camber so when they’re putting the wheels and tires on, it’s really close to those fenders. But guaranteed, we put these on several different vehicles without any rubbing issues. As long as it’s the stock height vehicle, you’ll have no problem going to put that bad boy back down on the ground. And that’s a wrap on the FR73 demon wheel. 

You can reach us at sales@factoryreproductions or look us up on all our social media @factoryreproductions. Once again I’m Jason, Factory Reproductions fitment specialist. You can reach us Monday through Friday 7-5, Saturdays 8-12:30. Pacific Standard Time. I’d be more than happy to answer your questions along with the rest of our sales team. Thank you very much for watching. Now, if there’s a factory replica wheel you want to know about please let us know and comment below.

https://youtu.be/zfcBpIu5HyE

https://factoryreproductions.com/shop/dodge/passenger/fr-73/

The post Dodge Demon Wheel Fitment first appeared on Factory Reproductions.

While all tires are marked and stamped with obvious information regarding tire size, weight and manufacturer info, other information is sometimes unclear to the average person. In this blog we’ll explain one of the most commonly seen markings on tires that aren’t easily identified or understood, but play an important role in your safety and the ride quality of your vehicle. 

Imperfections and Irregularities

It’s an impossible task for tire manufacturers to produce a perfectly round and perfectly balanced tire. Because of this, slight imperfections and small irregularities are marked on the tires to ensure the tire is properly aligned and balanced when mounted onto a wheel. The way these imperfections and irregularities are marked are with two different colored dots, yellow and red.

Yellow Dots 

Yellow dots signify the lightest point on your tire or where the wheel weighs the least. The valve stem section of your wheels is the heaviest part, so placing the lightest part of the tire on the heaviest part of the wheel significantly reduces the amount of weight your wheel will need when it comes time to add weight and balance.

Red Dots

The Red dot signifies the flattest part or lowest point on your tires. The lowest point of the tire should always be adjacent to the highest part of the wheel which is usually indicated by some sort of marking on the wheel.

If there is only a yellow dot on your tire, you should line up the yellow dot with the valve stem of the wheel when mounting. If there are both red and yellow dots, the red dot should be lined up with the valve stem. The lowest point of the tire takes precedence over the lightest point of the tire in this case.

Proper Balancing 

Properly aligning the red or yellow dots with the valve stem is important for a number of reasons. Most notably, the proper amount of weight added to your wheels will prevent your vehicle from experiencing that annoying rumble or shaky feeling when traveling at a higher rate of speed. If improperly balanced, your vehicle handling and stopping distance can be negatively affected. Unbalanced tires can also cause excessive wear and tear and uneven spots on your tires, making the vehicle unsafe for travel.

Preventative Maintenance

If you happen to notice a vibration at any point while driving after ensuring these markings are properly lined up, it could be that a wheel weight has fallen off or that your wheel may be bent or damaged. In any case, it’s a smart move to head over to your local tire shop and get your tires checked out. Getting your tires checked, rotated and rebalanced may not only keep you safe while driving, but save you money in the long run. General rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated and checked as regularly as you get your oil changed. 

We hope this information was helpful whether you’re new to the service industry or just a curious auto enthusiast eager to learn the little details about the markings you see on your tires.

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The post Identifying Tire Markings: Red and Yellow Dots first appeared on Factory Reproductions.

Know Your Bolt Pattern & Fitment

There are multiple variations of wheel fitments and not all wheels will fit every vehicle.  Knowing the bolt pattern of your vehicle and understanding your fitment will help narrow down your options from the get go.  There is no sense in scrolling through pages and pages of wheels that won’t fit.  

A vehicle’s fitment incorporates the bolt pattern, wheel backspacing and wheel offset.  Your bolt pattern consists of the number of wheel studs and the centerline measurement of those wheel’s studs.  For a more comprehensive discussion of fitment, view our “Calculating Your Fitment” blog.

Choose The Size & Material You Want

Now that you are aware of the proper fitment for the vehicle, you can determine the size and material of the wheels. There is always going to be a standard or recommended wheel size for any vehicle. There are other sizing options available, but they will sometimes require modifying your vehicle’s suspension or body in order to adjust to the width or increased diameter of the new wheel. Smaller wheels allow for larger tires and vice versa. 

Depending on whether your vehicle is a show car, a race car, or just your daily ride, the material used to construct the wheels can make a difference in your decision making process. The options available for single piece wheels include cast, forged and flow form wheels, with each having its own benefit. If you’d like to learn more about the construction process and see which wheels might be the right fit for you, check out this blog Lighter Weight Wheels: They Can Make a Difference. 

If you’re looking for something less common, which usually includes two and three piece wheels, your options are far greater than cast, forged or flow formed wheels. The only downfall is that two and three piece wheels can add additional weight with the pieces and parts used to hold the wheel together and are usually far more expensive.

Find A Design That Reflects Your Style

This is the fun part. Finding the wheel design that speaks to you provides the opportunity to distinguish yourself from the crowd and show off your personal style. There is no shortage when it comes to the options available in selecting the perfect set of wheels. With help from virtual wheel visualizers, catalogs and social media, it’s easy to compare which style wheels are popular, common, uncommon, the perfect fit or just not your style. You can go with the trend, or you can set yourself apart from the rest by choosing different fitment options, colors and styles.

Determine The Price You Are Willing to Pay

Quality is key in this stage of your search. With quality, comes cost. Not saying you have to break the bank, but if you’re looking to enhance your ride with new wheels, you want to make sure that you’re not going to have to reinvest in your decision every few months after hitting a pothole or going over a speed bump too quickly.

“You get what you pay for” is usually how it goes. However, there are lower cost but valuable options available in today’s market with the rise of flow form technology. The durability and toughness of wheels hold up, while the cost stays somewhat low due to lack of material used in construction.  Determining the price you want to pay for wheels might be something you want to do before you start your search.

Browse Your Options

If you’re on a general search and want ideas, we recommend browsing social media to find and discuss the options for your vehicle. There are most likely plenty of accounts dedicated to the vehicle you are customizing, with pictures and advice readily available. Reading the do’s and don’ts from others is always a plus and sometimes seeing what’s already out there can guide you during your search for aftermarket wheels.

For a more specific search, individual wheel websites will take you on a more vehicle precise journey, enabling you to narrow down your selections to meet your needs before you purchase your new set of wheels. With the Factory Reproductions configurator, you can change the vehicle color and the size and color of your wheels to get an idea of what the wheels will look like on your vehicle. With plenty of resources available to assist you in your purchase, you’ll be on the road in no time. 

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The post Aftermarket Wheels: Details to Consider When Purchasing first appeared on Factory Reproductions.

Finding Your Measurement – A common bolt pattern ranges anywhere from a 4 to an 8 lug on most vehicles these days. A bolt circle of 6×139.7 would indicate a 6-lug pattern in a circle with a diameter of 139.7mm. There are a few variations of measuring a bolt pattern. A measuring tape is always a handy choice, but we recommend using a Bolt Pattern Measuring Tool to get the most accurate measurement. If your vehicle is equipped with an even number of studs, measure from the center of one wheel stud to the center of the opposing wheel stud. When measuring a 5-lug vehicle, measure from the center of one stud to the outside of the farthest stud to calculate your measurement. 

Millimeters or Inches? – Figuring out your vehicle’s bolt pattern can be confusing for some. A common question asked is “Will these 5×114.3 fit on my vehicle if the bolt pattern is 5×4.5?” or “Why does this wheel description say 5×139.7, but my vehicle requires 5×5?” The short answer is yes and there is a quick explanation for the unit differences being used in the description: millimeters vs. inches. The metric unit is the most commonly used term to describe a bolt pattern, although some may provide the measurement in inches. In earlier years, the US provided the measurements in inches for classic cars and still do so today for some of the newer cars and trucks. Conversion charts and information are readily available online or by calling your local shop.

Fitment Assurance- Understanding your bolt pattern may be the first step in your journey of outfitting your vehicle with some new wheels. We’d like to remind you that there are a number of other factors that go into wheel fitment and sizing other than your bolt pattern. Tire size, wheel size, offset and backspacing are all incredibly important things to be aware of in order to achieve proper fitment of a wheel onto your vehicle. Check with a fitment specialist, research online, or call a local shop to get accurate details about the fitment for the wheels being purchased and installed on your vehicle.

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The post How to Find and Measure a Bolt Pattern first appeared on Factory Reproductions.

Damage caused by prolonged exposure to these factors will void your wheel finish warranty and leave you with crummy looking wheels. If done on a consistent basis, properly caring for your wheels is neither difficult nor time consuming and will keep your wheels in great shape.

First, Know Your Wheel

It is extremely important to know what type of wheels you have in order to provide them with the proper care. Most likely if you have factory alloy wheels, they have a layer of clear coat.  This will allow you to use a variety of wheel cleaners without worrying about oxidizing your wheels’ finish. However, if you have aftermarket wheels that have a polished, painted, chrome or machined finish, they need to be treated carefully in order to prevent potential oxidation, pitting and damage.

Wash, Polish & Protect

In order to protect your wheels’ finish, the best way to clean them is by washing them every 1-2 weeks with a mild soap and water solution and a dedicated wash mitt or soft cloth.

Wash

In order to protect your wheels’ finish, the best way to clean them is by washing them every 1-2 weeks with a mild soap and water solution and a dedicated wash mitt or soft cloth. If you choose to use an automotive shampoo, it is critical to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Before you lather up, make sure your wheels are completely cool, you are preferably in a shady area in order to avoid water marks and then use the full strength of your hose to rinse away all loose dirt. 

With your soapy solution, wash mitt and detail brush made of very soft or natural fibers,  remove the contaminants from your wheel. Start with the inner barrels and your detail brush first, as dirt and dust will be transferred to the face of the wheel when you clean them (no sense cleaning the face twice).  Next, use your wash mitt and suds up the face of the wheel removing all the grime.

Once the wash is complete, rinse the entire wheel thoroughly with water. Most of the time this is enough “cleaning muscle” but sometimes stubborn build ups require a pH balanced (neutral) wheel cleaner that can be used on any type of wheel finish (again, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines). Acidic wheel cleaners are highly effective but they can easily oxidize or tarnish polished wheels and other sensitive wheel finishes.

Polish

You can increase the shine of your wheels and prevent brake dust adhesion by polishing your wheels on a regular basis. Apply a thin layer of protection with a polishing product like carnauba based auto wax, immediately after you wash your car. Follow the directions on the container and remember to always test the polish the first time on an inconspicuous area before you apply it to the entire wheel.

Protect

There is one more step to keeping your wheels looking like new and that is to use a protectant or sealant.  Several products on the market are designed to provide a slick wheel surface so brake dust easily slides off and makes future cleaning more manageable.  They can also help enhance the glossy appearance of the wheel.

Beware

Be careful of automatic car washes since you never know which ones use acid cleaners or harsh brushes which could ultimately damage your wheels’ finish.

There are a few details to be mindful of when cleaning your wheels:

1. Never use abrasive cleaners, steel wool pads or polishing compounds.  
2. Never steam clean your wheels and tires as this can dull the finish on your wheels.  
3. Be careful of automatic car washes since you never know which ones use acid cleaners or harsh brushes which could ultimately damage your wheels’ finish.
4. Be wary of harsh chemical cleaners and products that say “just spray on and rinse off”.  They most likely contain ingredients that can harm the finish on your wheels.
5. Always follow the manufacturer guidelines on your product’s container.

Aftermarket wheels generally come with a warranty on the finish. However, if you don’t maintain your wheels, don’t expect the wheel company to take them back and exchange them for a new set. It is the buyer’s responsibility to care for their investment with regular cleaning and upkeep. When wheels are properly maintained, they will hold their beauty and grab attention for years to come.

The post Wheel Maintenance: Protecting Your Investment first appeared on Factory Reproductions.

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear at Factory Reproductions is: “Will these wheels fit my car?” There are several important factors to consider when answering this question. At Factory Reproductions, we take the guesswork out of this complicated process for you. Our wheels are built specifically for the make and model of your vehicle. 

However, If you are interested in better understanding fitment and how it applies to the wheels on your vehicle, our experienced team has defined the four critical elements.

Four Critical Elements to Consider When Calculating Fitment

1. Bolt Pattern
2. Wheel Backspacing
3. Wheel Offset
4. Plus Sizing or Up Sizing

1) Bolt Pattern

A vehicle’s bolt pattern consists of two components:the number of wheel studs and the centerline measurement of those wheel studs. For example, a 5×114.3 bolt pattern means there are 5 wheel lugs and the diameter of the centerline of the wheel studs measures 114.3mm. There are two different ways to measure the diameter depending on the number of lugs. If your vehicle has 4, 6 or 8 lugs, measure from the center of one wheel stud to the center of the opposing wheel stud. However, if you own a 5 lug vehicle, measure from the center of one stud to the outside of the farthest stud. (See diagram below)

How to Measure Wheel Bolt Patterns?

2) Wheel Backspacing

Backspacing is measured from the mounting surface of the wheel to the back of the wheel in inches. The larger the backspace of the wheel, the further it will sit back under the vehicle.

3) Wheel Offset

A wheel offset makes a big difference on how a wheel looks and performs on your vehicle. The offset is measured from the centerline to the mounting pad of the wheel and is calculated in either positive (+) or negative (-) millimeters. The more positive the offset, the more the wheel tucks into the wheel well. The more negative the offset, the more the wheel protrudes towards the fender. Generally in order to achieve a more aggressive stance, people choose to go with a more negative offset. The closer you get to zero, the more potential clearance issues arise with the vehicle’s fenders. If you can measure your back space and wheel width, you can find your offset conversion in the chart below.

Wheel Offset Conversion Chart

4) Plus Sizing or Up Sizing

Many vehicle owners want to increase the size of their wheels from the original stock size. This is called up or plus sizing. If you are going to increase the diameter of your wheel, you must remember to decrease the size of your tire in order to maintain the overall diameter of the stock wheel/tire setup. This will make sure you have enough clearance to avoid rubbing.

You’re Ready to Go

So there you have it! Fitment is taking these four critical elements into consideration and making sure that your dream wheels line up with what your vehicle will allow. 

At Factory Reproductions, we believe getting that fitment perfect is the difference between a so-so set up and an amazing ride! If you are looking for some new wheels, and you have any questions about fitment, don’t hesitate to ask. Give us a call at (800) 824-2676 or get in touch with us through our website, and we’ll get back to you shortly.

The post Calculating Fitment: How To Know What Wheels Will Fit Your Car first appeared on Factory Reproductions.