Would putting 20's in the LS400 hurt the car in any way? Most people think that its super heavy and that heavy wheels = heavy car = busted gear! Thats why everyone goes for 18's ..

I don't think thats the case since most people (not in this country) have 20s .. Am i right?

 

its only gonna change ride quality and looks. its your car and u can do w/e u please to it.

 

You won't be able to lower the car on 20's, the wheels will hit the body.

 

@LiCelsior

Ride quality .. in what way? I want to know what happens when u put 20s on an LS400 98-00

@ Dave600hL

Lowering wont be a problem, its just the springs that u use and how u use the car .. If i go offroading into the desert with it , obviously it'll be killed!

 

I have 20s on mine... 245s front tires, 255s rears... rears rub/scrape a little over big bumps and dips in the road. As far as ride quality, it is reduced... however, it is minor in my opinion. You will have a fair bit more road noise, but again, it is not bad at all. My car is still nearly silent while cruisin' 80mph. You will feel bumps and grooves in the road more than stock.

I would not change anything, except I would get different tires out back to reduce rubbing!

 

Not so much a busted gear, it's the extra weight which translates to more rotating mass- slower acceleration and braking. While the 4 piston on the UCF2X+ is more up to the challenge, stopping distances will likely increase. Gas mileage may also decrease.

My stock 16 with Michelin MX4V weighed in at about 48-49#'s. Depending on your suspension, that extra weight of + wheel combos can be significant in ride quality. Whatever you like...go for it.

 

actually, though acceleration decreases, top speed increases and mpg SHOULD decrease on the highway seeing as how its just like having a higher gearing. you could always end all of this fuss and get 19's =P

 

completely wrong.

top speed is dictated by redline, transmission/final drive gearing, the O.D. of the wheel, and the power (HP/TQ) the car is putting down at the wheels.

when you INCREASE the MASS of the wheel or even increase the mass distribution across a greater radius (increasing size with minimal weight increase, as in a VERY good forged wheel) you will decrease wheel horsepower.

and its a moot point because when you run a "spec" tire setup for the 2LS (245/35/20+275/30/20) you arent noticeabley increasing the O.D. of the wheel/tire anyways.

 

Been there done that, I had the arches rolled and it would still rub after lowering. Anyway, make sure you do all your research before doing it.

 

How about 19" rims? Sounds like good middle ground.

 

20s will be fine...you just have to be more careful on speed bumps and what not...making sure u dont hit curbs...bottom out or bend a rim.

depending how low u wanna go...if u wanna slam it ull have to modify it more air baggen wheel wells and what not.

 

i use to have both 18s and 20s on my LS400. when i switched over from 18s to 20s i saw a decrease in mpg no doubt. i saw the same gas mileage or even better with the 18s. since i was running 225/40 and 255/40 in the back. so they were really close to the stock 16s with fattie tires. on my 20s i have 225/35 and 255/40 which pure drifter saw at the presidents meet. i feel like i have the same amount of power. not sure if its because the wheels are light. but i doubt it is since its a piece 3. i like the look of the 20s better. 18s look really small on the LS400 when i had them on

 

Wow, a lot of different info here.

I went from stock 15"s to 20" TSW Mondello's on my 1991 LS400.
Looked awesome BUT, loss in gas mileage, and they are VERY hard on your brakes and hubs if you get heavy ones.

My brakes ate away signifigantly faster (had to get them replaced early twice), my hubs went bad. (maybe not specifically from the 20's, but they sure didn't slow their degeneration)

19"s are always a good choice too, Certain 20"s can look somewhat tacky. and 18"s look just too small if you're not going to lower it. But if you do go with 18's and don't lower it. Get fatter tires and not lo-pros.

Oh and to everyone who says you CAN'T lower an LS400 with 20's. I had 20" TSW Mondello's with Toyo Proxes4 (can't remmeber exact dimensions) lowered on Tanabe DF210's (VERY CLOSE TO 2" DROP) and NEVER RUBBED ONCE! I could turn fully from lock to lock, no rubs, AND I didn't even replace the struts.

 

you are also on VERY conservative wheels....

those are what, like +40 or 45 offset?

more aggressive offsets will rub unless u start playing with the camber, and depending on tire sizes.

 

So basically, the car wouldn't feel a difference if the weight of the wheels + rims are the same as the stock setup. It's like a 100KG cotton and 100KG steel story .. same thing .. but one looks heavier!

And about 20s rubbing, I believe its just how u set it up and the choice of springs!