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What Are Deep Dish Rims?

Carol Francois
Carol Francois

Deep dish rims are specialized car wheels or hubs that are installed on performance vehicles. The purpose of these rims is to provide an enhanced appearance. A licensed mechanic must install deep dish rims, as the brake disk and drums are often customized to allow the rims to fit.

Customized rims are a popular accessory for luxury vehicles. For this type of vehicle, the windows are tinted, the chassis is lowered, and the rims are either chrome or stainless steel. Specially designed performance tires are used with these types of rims in order to meet the unique specifications.

Deep dish rims must be installed by a licensed mechanic.
Deep dish rims must be installed by a licensed mechanic.

There are four things that you need to consider if you are going to purchase deep dish rims: installation, tires, repairs, and cost. All these factors are critical to your decision and must be given careful consideration. These changes are designed to increase the visual appeal of luxury or muscle cars and cannot be implemented on all vehicles.

Deep dish rims are designed to provide the maximum depth of tire so that the wheel body itself protrudes from the sides of the vehicle. In order to install these types of rims, it is often necessary to drill holes into the wheel hub and attach special instruments to secure the rims. These adjustments can interfere with the performance of the braking system. It is critical to your safety to ensure that the brakes function properly and can be replaced as needed.

Performance tires designed to work with these rims are the only tires that will fit on the rims. The installation of these tires requires a professional tire installer. These types of rims and tires are very expensive. Any damage to them during the installation process will be very difficult to repair.

Several key items are related to your tires. Brakes, shocks, struts, and shoes are all located in this area. These consumable products require replacement and adjustment over time. It is important that you can access a reliable mechanic who is able to complete the necessary repairs to these specialized rims and tires.

Cost is a critical factor in the decision to implement deep dish rims and tires. The rims along range in price from $250 to $1,500 US Dollars (USD) each. Performance tires that will fit on these rims are between $300 and $600 USD each. The work required to customize and install these rims on your vehicle will cost between $2,000 and $5,000 USD to complete.

Discussion Comments

GlassAxe

@ Anon36005- I can think of a situation where brakes may need to be modified to install a set of rims. A few years back I used to live in Florida and I had an 82 Box Chevy Caprice. I put a set of 18 inch wire wheels on with knock offs. I had no problems with the install on my car, but I have heard of situations where the spacing on the adapter is not right so it rubs on the brake calipers. In these situations, I have heard of people putting their cars into the shop to have the brakes adjusted.

These rims are not technically deep-dish chrome rims, but the way they are spoked up makes them need adapters and spacers so they stick out like deep dishes. The rims themselves don't bolt onto the wheel hub. Instead, they lock into an adapter, and the knockoff center cap holds the wheel in place.

PelesTears

The only time I could think to have a mechanic install rims is if you are not car savvy and you need to modify suspension components to install a set of plus size tires and wheels. My truck for example would need a lift or level to install anything over a 33.5 inch tire on the front. I could see that I might need to adjust my alignment if I were to install big deep dish truck rims, but brake modifications shouldn't be necessary. I don't know though...maybe when people install them on hot-rods this is what they have to go through.

anon36005

Since when does a mechanic have to install deep dish rims?

If you buy the correct fitment wheel (doesn't matter what the style is) it will fit straight on no problem.

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    • Deep dish rims must be installed by a licensed mechanic.
      By: Diyanski
      Deep dish rims must be installed by a licensed mechanic.