A Good-Looking Solution to Monster Wheels

[Still Raindrop]

One of the most common complaints I've seen on the town forum is LEGO's decision to put the same massive wheels on both cars and trucks. These wheels stick out way too far, and make otherwise smooth, slick cars (like last year's red sports car) take on a ridiculously bulky appearance. I believe, however, that I have found a solution.

At first, I traded out the monster wheels with the ones from the mail van. This looks OK, but I couldn't get the wheels a good distance from the mudguard--either they were too close, or they were too far away. But with the introduction of sets such as 8195 Turbo Tow, LEGO has put the tires from the aforementioned wheels onto the chrome racing wheels. I tried putting these on my red sports car, and I think they look wonderful! The wheels don't stick out to the sides at all, and they sit very nicely. Here are some pictures:

Side view:

3/4 view:

Front view:

Let me know what you think!

[Ratshot]

It looks a lot better than the original. Here's a pic for comparison.

[Big Cam]

Not a bad idea. I personally didn't care since to me it's LEGO. They've always had huge wheels.

But I do like the alternative.

[Ezechielle]

Nice modification! The wheels used by TLC are way to large!

[Ralph_S]

That does look a lot better .

I too hate how the wheels on most LEGO cars stick out.

I hadn't though of replacing wheels on sets with these and didn't realise how nicely they fill those mudguards, but I'm pretty sure I've seen these tyres on those rims in a LEGO racers set from last year. I also have used them myself on an old-timer car.

Cheers,

Ralph

[MetroiD]

That does look a lot better .

I too hate how the wheels on most LEGO cars stick out.

Ditto.

Very nice & simple solution, well done Mariko! Whenever I build a vehicle MOC, I tend to try out different tyres and rims for at least 15 minutes before I finally settle on an appropriate combination; LEGO's choice of using the same huge wheels for every single vehicle makes things even worse! Good thing one can always mod them as you've done :)

[prateek]

Awesome solution! I'd love if TLC put these wheels on instead of those huge truck wheels

[Ricecracker]

I agree, this is definitely a great combo. In fact, I'm using this on a car I'm building right now.

Whenever I build a vehicle MOC, I tend to try out different tyres and rims for at least 15 minutes before I finally settle on an appropriate combination; LEGO's choice of using the same huge wheels for every single vehicle makes things even worse! Good thing one can always mod them as you've done :)

Very true, especially when working on trucks; the larger tires fit perfectly over 2x2 round bricks and plates, for instance.

[mgleslie]

Wheels look good, shame the arches look a bit big now.

[WesternOutlaw]

They look good. I'll have to try this some time. Actually, I like the extra space between the arches/fenders. I think they look more realistic.

[Rick]

They look good. I'll have to try this some time. Actually, I like the extra space between the arches/fenders. I think they look more realistic.

Let me start of by saying it's a big improvement indeed. I spent some time looking at the picture, and indeed it's not really the extra space that bothers me, but the wheel arches themselves are just a bit too large compared to the tires.

[WhiteFang]

This is certainly a neat improvement, which I didn't noticed too. I had a few of these kind of Racers wheels, and it looks great in your example above. I will try to add these in mine as well.

[Fugazi]

Very nice, definitely an improvement. I might just use this solution in my next vehicle project! Thanks for the idea.

[mikey]

This is a great idea, using this combination really works. I really hate the way they use those over sized wheels for every set, from a sports car to a refuse truck. I was pleasantly surprised that they choose more suitable ones for the Smart Car!

Not a bad idea. I personally didn't care since to me it's LEGO. They've always had huge wheels.

...

At one time they used wheels that looked nice (so they didnt stick out half a stud), and suited the vehicle they were on:

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For your cars and small vehicles

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For your trucks and bigger vehicles