TMS Aluminum Wheels

Benefit: They look sweet.
Part Number For The Aluminum Wheels: Part #TMS4954R-C
Total Install Time: About 20 Minutes Including Switching Tires To The Wheels 

First Impressions: I have been wanting some aluminum wheels for the Addict Maxx for some
time now. It was early in the morning and I heard a bang bang bang on the door. It was UPS
with a box. I was very pleased to see TMS on the box. I signed on the dotted line, went in the
house, ripped the box open, and all I could do was drowl. I popped on of the wheels out of the
shipping foam and was very surprised at how light it was for being aluminum. I was very
impressed to say the least. 

Assembly: N/A. You get wheels, what more could there be?

Installation: Not much to talk about here. Put some tires on the wheels and put them on the
truck. Its pretty straight forward. Tech note: I use the R/C Raven hub nuts. They come with
some plastic washers to use with aluminum wheels. I would suggest using something similar
on ANY wheel nut. These are nice wheels and you don't want to gouge them. 

Performance: I found it very hard to go out and get these dirty, but for this review, it was a must.
I didn't get these wheels for a performance upgrade, I got them because they look super sweet.
I did however notice that the wheels do weigh a tad bit more than the plastic wheels. This adds
to rotating mass. The more rotating mass, the more power it takes to move it, but once its
moving, it tends to keep moving. While we are not talking pounds, it does make a slight
difference. The engine does work a bit harder, but its not bad. The brakes seem to get the worst
end of the deal since my stock brakes are about shot (time to stop at Tuffy, hehehe). The truck
also seemed to have a bit more traction. I don't know if this is due to the extra weight pushing
down on the tires or because a little extra power was needed to turn the extra weight, thus not
putting as much juice to the ground. Either way, its somewhat helpful. Jumps seemed to be more
controllable in flight with the extra weight (the gyro effect), and you might notice your suspension
movies downward slightly faster due to the extra unsprung weight. The last performance
improvement was cornering. I have the Panther Ploy Boy tires mounted on these wheels. If you
read the tire review, you know that the tire have a soft side wall and will roll the truck easier in a
turn. These wheels seemed to have helped that out some. Im not sure if it's the extra weight
or if the wheels have a different offset than the stock wheels. I will let you all know when I hear
from TMS. Other than that, these wheels look so freaking cool its not even funny :)
Tech Note: TMS wheels use the same offset as the stock T-Maxx wheels.

Likes: The price is right in line with other high end aluminum wheels and that's a plus. I like
the looks a whole lot also. These wheels also seem to let the Panther tires "seat" or lock the
bead much better than the stock wheels. 

Dislikes: This really isn't a dislike of the wheel, but I can not use these wheels for bashing.
They are WAAAAAAAAAAAY to nice to beat up (even though they stood up very well under
my normal bashing abuse and cleaned up wonderfully). 

Comments:  You can take your pick of colors and finishes with TMS. You can even choose
different designs. The price is competative as far as good quality wheels go. I think you might
have noticed I really like the TMS wheels. I like everything about them, they rock. I would suggest
the TMS wheels to anyone. They have many designs and colors and should have something
that you like. Check them out, but be forwarned, you may need something to drool on :)