U.S. minator supplier?

[TR4nut]

I'm in need of two 15x5.5" KN minator wheels for my TR4. I know I can get them from the majors like Moss, etc. but by chance is there a cheaper U.S. source? (Anyone want to sell me two used ones!)

Thanks,
Randy

 

[trfourtune]

minator? what are those? are those minilite copy's?
rob

 

[bobh]

They are the Minilite copies made by KN in the UK.

Randy,
Superlight wheels are less expensive. They're another "copy" I don't know if the differences between a Minator and a Superlight are subtle enough that you would consider mixing wheels on a single car.
An option would be to sell your minators and buy a set of Superlights.
My brother ordered a set of Superlights last week. They come with caps and lugs for less than the wheels alone from the major parts houses. Unfortunately we live 750 miles apart, otherwise I could photograph his Superlights next to my Minators for a comparison.

 

[PeterK]

Superlights has a nice machined lip (like Panasports) whereas Minators are painted and clear coated. Also Minator lug holes require a non-standard sized shank lug nut. I drilled out my Minators to use McGard standard size lugs. Panasports are the lightest of the 3, next KN Minator(15x5.5), then Superlights (~18lbs/15x6)

 

[TR4nut]

Thanks for the comments.

Couple of things make me still in search of KN Minators:

The TR4 has clearance issues on the front wheels that a 4a and beyond don't have. At least that has been my big worry until I hear from someone with a 4 that can run a 6" rim.

The main thing though, is that I went bargain hunting one night on ebay and picked up two Minators. So they look really great but I still need to grab lug nuts and two more wheels.

Personally I like the Panasport and Superlight look better but I'm already down this path. I thought at one time I saw a note which had a link to a place in the Southwest that had better prices on KN wheels. But now I can't find it so it may have been my confused imagination.

Thanks again,
Randy

 

[mike crane]

Randy
Both Moss and Victoria British have the KN wheels. I believe TRF has them now. I bought a set on eBay sans lug nuts. Ordered the lugs from VB. KN has a website-you can google it. My wheels do not have a lip around the edge. Some pictures show a lip and some don't. The KN site may have specific part numbers so that you can match your set.
Best of luck
Mike Crane

 

[PeterK]

I had clearance issues on my 4A with the KN Minators 15x5.5 (don't think that they make a 6" width). Thge inside of the rim hit the upper control arm at lock, so I had to radius the sharp edge on the rear upper a-arm AND use a 1/8" spacer. The Minators are now on the 3A but that required a 5/16" spacer on the rear to avoid the leaf spring rubbing on the tires (205/60x15 Yokohama AVS).

 

[TR4nut]

Wow, I'm surprised you had trouble with clearance on your 4a - I thought with the suspension changes the 4a was in better shape than the 4.

I dry fit my 5.5" rims to the front, without tires, and things were tight but everything appeared to clear.

I will also have to check a little carefully on the variations of the KN wheel from the previous note. My two wheels have a small lip on the edge I think so I may not match perfectly. Didn't really buy them for show anyway I just wanted something wider for normal driving to get away from 165-15's.

Thanks all,
Randy.

 

[bobh]

You may be confusing the Superlight dealer in Phoenix with a KN dealer. Pack Racing Products. He has very good prices on the Superlights.
KN makes a 6" wheel. I don't think any of the usual suppliers in the US carry them. Mine are 6". The previous owner ordered them from Rimmer Brothers several years ago when they ran a free shipping special. He said they eliminated free shipping on wheels shortly after his purchase.
I attached a picture of one of my KN's to my earlier post.