FN Wheels : 100-Series Specific Wheels

[FNWheels]

Anyone have ideas on why Discount Tire says the wheels won’t clear the front hubs (circumference, not length)? I’m about to go to their shop and figure out what’s going on.

I’m pretty sure Dustin says that they should clear the LC100 hubs without modification. Any ideas are appreciated!

I know we already spoke on the phone about this, but I want to address your post here as well since someone else might run into this issue.

The Five Stars are hub centric with a center bore designed to fit over the large hubs of the Land Cruiser 100 / LX470. Given the age of the Land Cruiser 100 you most likely have rust and corrosion on your hubs which is causing the wheel to hang up.

If your hubs have some rust or corrosion you’ll need to clean your hubs first so that the wheels slide over the hubs.

You can clean your hubs with a wire brush if the rust/corrosion isn’t too severe, but most of the time it will be easier to remove the corrosion with a wire wheel or fine sandpaper.

If you’re reading this thinking “but my factory wheels fit” the reason for that is that the factory aluminum wheels wear down a little over time from being installed and removed over the years, so they are a little looser fit compared to a brand new hub centric wheel.

I have also experienced numerous customer vehicles with factory wheels that had seized onto the factory hubs due to galvanic corrosion between the aluminum wheel and steel hub. It can be a real pain to get the wheels off those vehicles.

Discount Tire likely told you the wheels wouldn’t fit over the hubs because they aren’t really equipped for rust / corrosion mitigation. They are good at what they do, but they are pretty much a “get ‘em in and get ‘em out as fast as possible” operation. They operate on volume and low margins, so extensively cleaning customers’ hubs isn’t really part of their business model.

Feel free to call me if you have any other questions or need any help.

 

[Irishpilot]

Dustin,

Thanks for the help today. A little dremel took the 20 years of grime off and they fit. Very snug.

Here’s the new look. I’m super stoked!

 

[FNWheels]

Dustin,

Thanks for the help today. A little dremel took the 20 years of grime off and they fit. Very snug.

Here’s the new look. I’m super stoked!
View attachment 4137717

You're very welcome. I was happy to help, and I'm glad to hear that you're stoked with the wheels!

Your Land Cruiser looks fantastic, and it's a great example of how well the matte gunmetal Five Star flow formed wheels pair with the grey trim. Thank you for posting, and thank you again for your order. I truly appreciate your business.

 

[wrigh003]

Hey Dustin -

Replied to your email from couple weeks ago - if I'm still holding for a set, I'll go out and pay this invoice. Just wanted to make sure. Sorry about the delay, just - shoved down the inbox by a couple weeks worth of spam. :/

-Jake

 

[FNWheels]

Hey Dustin -

Replied to your email from couple weeks ago - if I'm still holding for a set, I'll go out and pay this invoice. Just wanted to make sure. Sorry about the delay, just - shoved down the inbox by a couple weeks worth of spam. :/

-Jake

Hi Jake,

No problem at all! I replied to your email and left you a voicemail as well. I kept your wheels on hold for you. You've been so patient in waiting for the back order, it was the least I could for you.

 

[ColonelJLloyd]

Dustin, any updates on the 18" FX Pro in matte black?

Thanks!

 

[FNWheels]

Dustin, any updates on the 18" FX Pro in matte black?

Thanks!

The 18" FX Pro flow formed will be back in-stock by the end of this week.

I'll be contacting everyone who pre-ordered later this week / over the weekend. We will have additional sets of 18" FX Pro's available to order in high gloss dark gunmetal and matte black for anyone who didn't pre-order.

 

[ColonelJLloyd]

The 18" FX Pro flow formed will be back in-stock by the end of this week.

I'll be contacting everyone who pre-ordered later this week / over the weekend. We will have additional sets of 18" FX Pro's available to order in high gloss dark gunmetal and matte black for anyone who didn't pre-order.

 

[wrigh003]

Hi Jake,

No problem at all! I replied to your email and left you a voicemail as well. I kept your wheels on hold for you. You've been so patient in waiting for the back order, it was the least I could for you.

Paid! Now for tires.

I remember when the wheels were the expensive part. That's how I know I'm old.

 

[FNWheels]

Paid! Now for tires.

Thank you!

I remember when the wheels were the expensive part. That's how I know I'm old.

I know exactly how you feel!

For example, I still think about when the original Nitto Terra Grappler came out. It was such a great tire for a really great price, and the dual sidewalls were so cool and innovative at the time. Hard to believe that was 25 years ago!

 

[PNWLX]

@Irishpilot , I had the same trouble with 'bonus material' on my hubs. Just like you, a Dremel made quick work of it and then they fit great.

For what it's worth, they look good dirty too

 

[FNWheels]

@Irishpilot , I had the same trouble with 'bonus material' on my hubs. Just like you, a Dremel made quick work of it and then they fit great.

For what it's worth, they look good dirty too

View attachment 4144919

I see you didn't waste any time putting your new wheels to good use! Thank you again!

 

[wrigh003]

Picked my set up from the UPS store yesterday. They look great. For those who have mounted these on a 100 already, for a 35" tire (or thereabouts) on a 17" wheel - what size are you using? I've already done pinch welds and washer box cover removal for my current setup, so I'm hoping I don't have any rub problems to worry about. Looks to me like a 305/70R17 MT is what I'm looking for, but if there's a particular tire you love I'm all ears. My current Kenda RTs have been... OK, but I have eaten a few up cutting sidewalls on rocks, plus they're 18s, so wouldn't fit. The whole point of this exercise has been to get a little more sidewall and a bigger tire, so... speak up.

Also @FNWheels- for the center caps, I haven't decided yet whether I'll use em or not. I usually don't, just because it's a piece to bust on the trail. BUT- what are the specs on the three little screw holes for em? First box I opened was missing those, or maybe I just missed seeing them. Could be in with the lugs, maybe, haven't dug that deep. Packaging is... intense. Loads of cardboard to put out under the flowerbed mulch. One other question- if I were to paint match the caps, do you have a paint color recommendation to match this bronze color?

 

[GTV]

Picked my set up from the UPS store yesterday. They look great. For those who have mounted these on a 100 already, for a 35" tire (or thereabouts) on a 17" wheel - what size are you using? I've already done pinch welds and washer box cover removal for my current setup, so I'm hoping I don't have any rub problems to worry about. Looks to me like a 305/70R17 MT is what I'm looking for, but if there's a particular tire you love I'm all ears. My current Kenda RTs have been... OK, but I have eaten a few up cutting sidewalls on rocks, plus they're 18s, so wouldn't fit. The whole point of this exercise has been to get a little more sidewall and a bigger tire, so... speak up.

Also @FNWheels- for the center caps, I haven't decided yet whether I'll use em or not. I usually don't, just because it's a piece to bust on the trail. BUT- what are the specs on the three little screw holes for em? First box I opened was missing those, or maybe I just missed seeing them. Could be in with the lugs, maybe, haven't dug that deep. Packaging is... intense. Loads of cardboard to put out under the flowerbed mulch. One other question- if I were to paint match the caps, do you have a paint color recommendation to match this bronze color?

On +30 offset 285/75’s will be the easiest to fit. Anything above 34” (and/or more width) will start to get into the fender lip at 12:00 and require more room to be made there.

 

[hoser]

Picked my set up from the UPS store yesterday. They look great. For those who have mounted these on a 100 already, for a 35" tire (or thereabouts) on a 17" wheel - what size are you using? I've already done pinch welds and washer box cover removal for my current setup, so I'm hoping I don't have any rub problems to worry about. Looks to me like a 305/70R17 MT is what I'm looking for, but if there's a particular tire you love I'm all ears. My current Kenda RTs have been... OK, but I have eaten a few up cutting sidewalls on rocks, plus they're 18s, so wouldn't fit. The whole point of this exercise has been to get a little more sidewall and a bigger tire, so... speak up.

Nitto Trail Grapplers have been great... 35x11.5 You might get a little bit of rub but it's worth it. Just keep clearancing!

 

[wrigh003]

Nitto Trail Grapplers have been great... 35x11.5 You might get a little bit of rub but it's worth it. Just keep clearancing!

I don't really WANT to cut or box-flare the fenders, but it's not out of the question. Might roll em first, if that helps.

In the insanity that is my life, there's a possibility the kid inherits this 100 and I buy a different one, or even an early 200, too. So... we'll see. It's quite a nice truck after 5/6yrs of chasing maintenance updates and mods, and it wheels pretty great, but it's getting pretty old/ miled up. I should update signature but it'll cross 290k in the next few weeks.

 

[wrigh003]

For example, I still think about when the original Nitto Terra Grappler came out. It was such a great tire for a really great price, and the dual sidewalls were so cool and innovative at the time. Hard to believe that was 25 years ago!

This truck has been my first "hey lets try a 4x4" car guy adventure, so lots of stuff is still pretty new. How much big rubber circles cost has been... eye-opening.

25yrs ago I was still in 90s recovery and mainly messing with lowered Hondas.

 

[FNWheels]

Picked my set up from the UPS store yesterday. They look great. For those who have mounted these on a 100 already, for a 35" tire (or thereabouts) on a 17" wheel - what size are you using? I've already done pinch welds and washer box cover removal for my current setup, so I'm hoping I don't have any rub problems to worry about. Looks to me like a 305/70R17 MT is what I'm looking for, but if there's a particular tire you love I'm all ears. My current Kenda RTs have been... OK, but I have eaten a few up cutting sidewalls on rocks, plus they're 18s, so wouldn't fit. The whole point of this exercise has been to get a little more sidewall and a bigger tire, so... speak up.

Also @FNWheels- for the center caps, I haven't decided yet whether I'll use em or not. I usually don't, just because it's a piece to bust on the trail. BUT- what are the specs on the three little screw holes for em? First box I opened was missing those, or maybe I just missed seeing them. Could be in with the lugs, maybe, haven't dug that deep. Packaging is... intense. Loads of cardboard to put out under the flowerbed mulch. One other question- if I were to paint match the caps, do you have a paint color recommendation to match this bronze color?

Glad to hear that! Sorry for my late reply to your questions.

Each box has a center cap, but we package all the cap screws together with the lug key inside the lug set inside one of the boxes. Those parts are inside your box which should have bright, fluorescent yellow sticker that reads ADDITIONAL PARTS INSIDE. Check there first for your cap screws, lugs and lug key, as well as the center cap emblems.

Happy to hear that you like the packaging and that it will find a second use for you. A lot of customers always question me on the shipping cost, but I tell them you'll understand when you receive your wheels. We try to package in such a way that your wheels will never get so much as a tiny scratch from shipping. Way beyond industry standards.

As for the tire size, I agree with the consensus. I advise customers that 285/75R17 or some of the newer 34x10.50R17 or 34x11.50R17 tires are maximum tire sizes that I recommend for a minimal amount of rubbing with on a typical lifted Land Cruiser 100 / LX470.

305/70R17 (the size you mentioned) has the same overall diameter as 285/75R17, so that's a good size too. You might have a little more rubbing though from the additional tire width.

Regarding the bronze caps - I'll send you a message separately. I have some matte bronze caps coming in from our cap supplier.

On +30 offset 285/75’s will be the easiest to fit. Anything above 34” (and/or more width) will start to get into the fender lip at 12:00 and require more room to be made there.

100% agree.

Nitto Trail Grapplers have been great... 35x11.5 You might get a little bit of rub but it's worth it. Just keep clearancing!

Good to know!

Do you have an aftermarket front bumper?

 

[ColonelJLloyd]

Let me add to the chorus of praise for Dustin and FN. Great product, excellent communication, top shelf packing...just an all around great buying experience.

Lighting wasn't great. I may take some glamor shots at point. FX Pro 18" in matte black with 285/65R18 Defender LTX MS/2 (XL rated). The poke is just a bit more than I would prefer, but beggars can't be choosers when dealing with this lug pattern and hub. My truck has no mods and this is AHC at normal. Sits more than an inch taller than OEM tires. I like it.
Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr

Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr

Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr

 

[jaewastooshort]

I have yet to get my wheels on my LX yet, but finally got the tires mounted... they look amazing, and can't wait to see the bronze with the 6S5 paint...