Well I installed my RTE 2" springs with terrafirma +2" shcoks, and got a set of 16" d2 wheels and painted them black and installed some 265/75/16 federal MTs! I can't be happier with this set-up. Just thought I would share some pics!






Before

after

Next to my girlfriends overland

 

Very nice! I was considering them exact tires.

 

Looks SICK! Nice work.

 

What kind of paint on the wheels and what kind of prepwork to make it stick long term.?

 

Looks really good. I really dig the black wheels, reminds me of the Defender X-Tech.

 

About 45min of wire wheel and 1.5 hour of hand work with scotch pad then fine sand paper per wheel. Then clean with dish soap then alcohol. 2 healthy coats of rustoleum primer followed by 2 coats of their wheel paint then 2 coats of the wheel clear coat.
I'm sure it won't last forever and I expect the finish to get scratched and stuff while wheeling but looks better than the stock wheel.

 

Looks good. I did the same route about five years ago. I've tried Rustoleum rattle can with clear coat and then Caliper paintfinally VHT epoxy paint. The thing to consider is wear. I repaint my wheels every year to year and a half. The brake dust and elements break down the clear coat gloss. Caliper paint has the hardeners and ceramic to help against the dust. My favorite is the VHT paint. It comes in gloss, flat and satin black. I like the satin black which works great for the steel bumper and has that factory look... not too shiny or too dull... almost matte black. I got tired of touching up and having to paint and clear coat. It's all one process now with the epoxy paint. When it comes time for a repaint... I'd consider the VHT epoxy paint sold at Advanced Auto Parts stores. One other thing... have you considered painting the lug nuts black?

 

Looks great! How is it riding now everything is installed? I am thinking about the same setup except for a milder tire tread. Would you mind sharing what it all costs?

 

The ride is great. Seriously rides better than stock IMO. The tires are really not even that loud at all I was expecting them to be a lot louder. I shopped around to assemble the kit got deals here and there the shocks and springs I figured out I spent about 530 all together but I got hooked up on the front springs from a guy who didn't need them bought the rear from rte and bought the shocks from AB. also got a killer deal on tires by doing a little trade.

 

I think it looks great. I am doing similar right now for my 18's but I am also powdercoating the lug nuts black too.