Summer Mode to Winter Mode - wheels, tires, and mud flaps

[Mchris2725]

Hi all,

Winter is coming quick, and this is my first time putting new wheels and tires on my ST. I'm planning on purchasing 16x7 wheels, winter tires, and some type of TPMS system. I also want to install some mud flaps to prevent salt dust, snow build up, and grit chips. So...I have a few questions.

1. Is it worth the effort to buy a relatively cheap TPMS from ebay or amazon? Will the install video for these TPMSs work with the 2016s?

2. What's the ideal offset range i'll be working with for 16x7 wheels? I have stock brakes.

3. Are there any other mud flap brands out there other than the rally armors? They are very nice from a "fit & finish" perspective but i'm not so sure I like the company's logo printed on the flaps.

4. Does anybody have any experience taking mud flaps on and off the car? I only want the mud flaps on my ST in the winter. I have seen reviews and install videos for the rally armors, but it seems like it would be such a pain take the flaps off.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Matt

 

[CanadianGuy]

1- Yes and yes
2- 42 same as the 17"; you can go as low as 15"; Running 15 sparco drift myself this year.
3- Rokblokz but they to have the logo. Could try grey logo. Only other option would be to make your own if you have the brackets or try form fitting ones off ebay.
4- both Rokblokz and Rally army make new holes when mounting. Not impossible but difficult to clean up after they are off to make the hole less prone to collecting rain/dirt.

May I suggest just a spray of plasti-dip on the lower panels which would be easier to remove in spring?

 

[Mchris2725]

1- Yes and yes
2- 42 same as the 17"; you can go as low as 15"; Running 15 sparco drift myself this year.
3- Rokblokz but they to have the logo. Could try grey logo. Only other option would be to make your own if you have the brackets or try form fitting ones off ebay.
4- both Rokblokz and Rally army make new holes when mounting. Not impossible but difficult to clean up after they are off to make the hole less prone to collecting rain/dirt.

May I suggest just a spray of plasti-dip on the lower panels which would be easier to remove in spring?

Thank you for this. I think your idea of plasti-dip could work well, or maybe just some small rubber plugs to fill in the holes. I'm going to watch the mud flap install video again to see what I can do.

I guess i'll just go with the rally armor flaps. Maybe i'll end up liking the logo if I pick a nice color.

 

[BRGT350]

This may help
[video=youtube;avwOcNXCXm0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avwOcNXCXm0[/video]

[video=youtube;JZBWAvvbokQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZBWAvvbokQ[/video]


1. Is it worth the effort to buy a relatively cheap TPMS from ebay or amazon? Will the install video for these TPMSs work with the 2016s? I can't confirm if they will work on the 2016's, but I used Ford Motorcraft TMPS sensors from Amazon without an issue. Tire Rack also has them. It is worth buying them as winter is a terrible time for a flat tire.

2. What's the ideal offset range i'll be working with for 16x7 wheels? I have stock brakes. Head over to Tire Rack and check out the winter tire packages for the ST, it takes away all of the guess work. I run 15" wheels and got them mounted, balanced, TPMS installed, and delivered to my house from the Tire Rack. Do this will all of my cars.

3. Are there any other mud flap brands out there other than the rally armors? They are very nice from a "fit & finish" perspective but i'm not so sure I like the company's logo printed on the flaps. I use WRC gravel mud flaps from Susquehanna Motorsports on the front of my ST and have used the same set for 16 years now and a number of different cars. Way larger than Rally Armor or any other brand. They also protect more of the inner fender from abrasion. For the rear, I use universal Sparco mud flaps. They are cheap and easy to install. I install the flaps every fall and remove them in the spring. Been doing this since 2000 on my Focus. I am not worried about appearance or fit/finish for the winter, just function.

4. Does anybody have any experience taking mud flaps on and off the car? I only want the mud flaps on my ST in the winter. I have seen reviews and install videos for the rally armors, but it seems like it would be such a pain take the flaps off. yes, see above

 

[BiigMe]

Is it bad to leave mud flaps on all year? Will that mess up the bumper when just doing some spirited driving? I plan on installing them for the winter, but the canyon I was in this weekend had a lot of grit and I'd like to put my mind at ease by having these on.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Is it bad to leave mud flaps on all year? Will that mess up the bumper when just doing some spirited driving? I plan on installing them for the winter, but the canyon I was in this weekend had a lot of grit and I'd like to put my mind at ease by having these on.

Mine are on all year. Just clean them and check for rock collections behind them(nooks and crannies). As a bonus they help reduce brake dust on the car.

 

[BiigMe]

Mine are on all year. Just clean them and check for rock collections behind them(nooks and crannies). As a bonus they help reduce brake dust on the car.

Sounds like a win/win. Any tips for installation?

 

[CanadianGuy]

Sounds like a win/win. Any tips for installation?

Take your time on installation and forming the braket. If using the Rally Armor you could use a silicon base blue in the grove of the molded part to make it fit more snug. Just let it sit over night. Other than that use a medium strength thread sealer(loctite) to hold everything in place.

 

[BiigMe]

Take your time on installation and forming the braket. If using the Rally Armor you could use a silicon base blue in the grove of the molded part to make it fit more snug. Just let it sit over night. Other than that use a medium strength thread sealer(loctite) to hold everything in place.

I'll remember that when I get them, thanks bud!