Impala Forums banner

2006 Impala LTZ 20" rims...Lowering? Rims size? any advice suggestions?

43K views 28 replies 14 participants last post by  scimpala 
#1 ·
Alright. I have a 2006 Impala LTZ with 20" rims tire size 245/35ZR20 95W XL.
I was either thinking of getting 22's OR...another set of 20's but a less wide wheel dimension. The current tire's outer wall gets peeled off like string cheese from my rear fender when I turn sharp or go over a large bump.. Well my question is with 20" wheels like "235's" can I lower the car, and if so how much can I lower? What kind of springs/struts/shocks do I use? and where can I get them? I would really appreciate it. I would go ahead and go to a shop myself and find out but I'm in the military and currently living in isolation. lol. Thanks. I included pictures below of the car. Thanks in advance.


 
See less See more
2
#2 ·
Anything larger than an 18" wheel on this car is simply too large for it. There is not enough clearance provided in the fender wells for larger wheels to clear without interference with stock full suspension travel. A larger wheel will also negatively affect the fuel economy, as it is heavier and requires more HP to start rolling.

I would not even think about going with anything larger than 20", if you can make those work. I think you will need to significantly modify the suspension to make 22" inch wheels work.

Believe it or not, I would prefer 16" wheels on my LTZ ('09 model) because I would get better fuel economy with them.
 
#4 ·
Yeah I agree with you on the fuel economy part. I didn't notice a change at all really though. Now that I think of it, when I changed out my rims and was carrying my stocks into the garage it actually felt like the 20's were lighter. I'm most likely not gonna go with 22's but I have seen about 11 8th generation impalas with 22's and definitely no body work, no lift and no fender roll. Thanks for the advice man..
 
#7 ·
Well I've ad the 245 35's on my impala for two years. I drove from MS. to Cali. no problem. I did have problems with rubbing and my rear tires gettin' ate up but that's due to my rear suspension (shocks etc.) being worn out and not being stiff as before. I'm most likely going to a somewhat skinnier tire or doing more of a fender roll in the rear.
 
#9 ·
Im pretty sure no matter what you do, your tranny is going to end up F*cked in the long run... Keep in mind that these cars were built while GM was on the brink of bankrupcy, and Im sure they squeezed their suppliers as tight as can be. Which is why the only saving grace for these cars is the LS4 under the hood.
 
#11 ·
Roll out the fender a little. VERY common amongst Bimmers and other eurocars running big wheels. There is a fancy little simple machine for doing so. Attaches to where the wheel go and kindof "rolls out" the fender. its not much but often its just the little that does it. Dont know the english word for it but cost about 300 bucks over in the "old world", or you just go to a tuning shop and they do it for you. :) That´s what the europeans do anyway...

Obs, depending on how your car is constructed it might not work and forget about keeping the inner plastic as before. It will fall down/off

My cousin did it on his BMW Z3 with good result. No more shaved cheese! :)

Search for "fender roller" or something. :p
 
#13 ·
Ofcourse you might have it in US too or its even invented here but Ive never seen any
 
#14 ·
And NOW I see you already mentioned the fender roll. Thats what I get for not reading the post thoroughly... :lol: Bla bla bla!!! :biggrin:
 
#26 ·
Sorry guys, I've been gone for a good while..I've done a lot to the car compared to the pictures. It's lowered with scc springs, kyb agx struts, did a whole car matte black vinyl wrap, projector headlights, new rims..I'm just gonna have to post pictures




I have night shades on my tails. I've done a vinyl wrap"tint" also, on my friend imp and it looks good too. The dynamat works wonders, bass sounds clear and deep without any metal on metal clank.
 
#16 ·
I just got my 22x9 +38 offset with 235/30/22 tires and it looks and rides perfect. They place a got them from actually installed a 245 at first and with a spacer it rubbed the strut and hit the fender on big bumps. With no spacer and a 235 it sits further away from the strut then before and clears the fender prefect no more rub. I actually can make u-turns with 0 rub. My mileage on the first tank went from 24.3 to 23.8 - stock vs 22's. (Self calculating) I'm actually trying to find a 1.5inch drop spring anyone have any idea where?
 
#17 ·
i would like to add a question to this post so people wont get mad for starting another one.........anyways

i have some 20 inch rims and i had thought they were too wide for my car(the ones pictured as my avatar)

ive seen people say 8.5 inches is the recomended width.
i measured from edge to edge and it equals 9.5........ i measured from inside if the rim from wall to wall and it measures 8.5......also on the inside of the rims it says 20x8.5........

do i have the right size width?
am i measuring right or wrong?
 
#19 ·
Jason I lowered my imp ss check my garage. The imp in your pick with the black rims would appear to rub if you drop it. Loaded I sit in my rear wheel wells.As for type of spring you get what you pay for usualy improperly made your ride could be to harsh or on the other hand float.CM springs with monroe sensetracs works. If I would have been rich and knew what I do now.I would have bought the hole assy and swapped springs. That way my stocks could be easly swapped back if I need a serious load or for winter if I ever have to use my imp again she's a little low in the snow.
 
#22 ·
I have an '09 with 20x8" Helo wheels with a +35 offset & 245\35 tires, and i have zero issues with rubbing. I haven't put a drop kit on it yet, but i plan on putting the Eibach kit on it (eibach part number 38108.140).
I have lots of suspension travel now, even when the car is loaded down with my kids and all their crap so I don't see where I will have any issues after i drop it a couple inches. :)
I did notice about a 3.5 mpg hit on mileage after putting these wheels\tires on the car vs. the the stock 16" wheels\tires...
 
#23 ·
Barfly-

Nice setup. I have 22x9 givoanna gabbs with +38 offset with a 235/30/22 and I have no rub issue either. I will be lowering mine also. I actually didn't a notice in my mielage at all. Maybe a 1/2 a mpg or so. But I do drive a lot easier now lol
 
#24 ·
2010-

Those 22's make that car ride like a tank? I feel every crack and bump in the road now and I'm only on 20's.
 
#25 ·
Honestly I really don't feel much of a difference. The ride to me hasn't really changed. I don't really feel the bumps, you more hear them then feel them. I think the pros outweigh the cons lol
 
#28 ·
Alright. I have a 2006 Impala LTZ with 20" rims tire size 245/35ZR20 95W XL.
I was either thinking of getting 22's OR...another set of 20's but a less wide wheel dimension. The current tire's outer wall gets peeled off like string cheese from my rear fender when I turn sharp or go over a large bump.. Well my question is with 20" wheels like "235's" can I lower the car, and if so how much can I lower? What kind of springs/struts/shocks do I use? and where can I get them? I would really appreciate it. I would go ahead and go to a shop myself and find out but I'm in the military and currently living in isolation. lol. Thanks. I included pictures below of the car. Thanks in advance.
a memeber in my car club had 22's of his 8th gen , no rub no lift , no modification what so ever .

beautiful thing about 8th gens , wheel well is large enough to fit bit rims with out all the lifting and cutting
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top