2008 SEL AWD, Dropped w/New Wheels

[Ironpeddler]

Gentlemen...

 

I wanted to show you my 2008 SEL AWD Edge now that the tires & wheels are done and to thank you all for the info you collectively provided me to get this done right the first time. I lost all our vehicles (and more) in Super Storm Sandy last October and I grabbed this Edge as a stop gap car to buy time before buying a new one. Since I've had it I'm really enjoying it immensely and decided to fix it up a bit. So far I've replaced all the speakers with Polk drivers and sub connected to the stock CD/DVD/NAV Sync head unit, installed all new WeatherTech mats and rear tray, and had an auto start installed.

 

First I did the brake rotors with the G2 Caliper Paint Kit in gloss black after taking off the old pads to paint...then I installed the new pads. I had enough paint to put 2 heavy coats on the calipers and one coat on the center hubs of the rotors...

 

Before...

 

After....

 

Then I glass coated the wheels I got from Joe at Detroit Wheels with 22ple VM1...it took the chrome to another level, they now look wet (hard to see in the picture) and supposedly it lasts 2 years. I really did it so they are easier to clean!

 

 

 

 

This is the original stock setup, the typical SEL high stance....

 

 

 

Then I had the H&R springs installed with new Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks and struts. It dropped it just like they said, about 2" in the rear and 1.5" in the front...

 

 

 

Then the new 20" wheels & tires. I went with the Pirelli Scorpions and they hardly have any road noise and ride great....

 

 

I'm happy with the transformation as the car now looks nicer and handles way better on the highway off ramps without sacrificing too much ride comfort. Make no mistake, it does ride a bit stiffer and will bottom out when hitting a very deep pothole (happened twice), but the trade off was well worth it. Compared to the stock setup, this thing handles like it's on rails...for an Edge that is!

 

I still have to train the sensors, the weird thing was I put the wheels on, took it for a test drive to ensure everything was done correctly and the tire warning never came up. In 2 days of city driving it still never came up, but once I got on the highway and traveled about 20 miles, the warning finally came up. I bought the training tool from Tire Rack, so once it stops raining, I'll give it a go.

 

Thanks again to all my Edge brothers for your invaluable advice!

 

 

EDIT TO ADD: I just re-trained the new sensors with the Ford Trigger tool and it worked perfectly the first time. Well worth the money if you are going to swap out the tires & wheels every Winter. The whole procedure took all of 2-3 minutes. Here is the part number of the tool needed...

 

Edited May 22, 2013 by Ironpeddler

[wannabang]

Looks pretty good. I've been really thinking about lowering it, but I'm not sure I want the full drop, I think an inch would be fine with some bigger wheels.

[NYT RYDR]

Looks real good

[MFdad13]

Looks Damn good! Where did you purchase the 22ple? How much did you use to do the wheels?

[mikesedge]

Looks great. i did the exact same thing. You can see my before and after in my albums. The pictures are a little clearer. I love the look and the way it handles now.

[Ironpeddler]

Thanks guys, for a 5 year old car, I get quite a few compliments where ever I go....especially from Edge owners. I just clay barred, waxed and sealed it...the black paint came back alive very nicely.

 

Looks Damn good! Where did you purchase the 22ple? How much did you use to do the wheels?

 

I hot linked it on the name up above in the picture of the wheel. It takes you to Detailed Image where I bought it. I did two coats on the entire wheels and used a little more than 3/4 of the small sized bottle. I applied it with a foam pad and buffed it off each time with a microfiber towel. They clean up so easily now...only using the foam car wash from my foam cannon and a soft terry wheel brush.