CCI Wheel Simulators Shine Up Work Trucks
Many work trucks pull double duty these days, hauling everything from supplies to the jobsite and kids to soccer practice. (The eye-popping towing capacities married with luxurious interiors implies automakers realize this, too.) And while even the most bone-stock pickup is leagues ahead of your grandaddy’s truck in style, capability, and technology, it can still be difficult to keep up with the Joneses these days. When it comes to pricy aftermarket wheels at least, there is an affordable an effective option: CCI Wheel Simulators.
What Are Wheel Simulators?
A wheel simulator is essentially a kind of hubcap. It is designed to pop over factory wheels and create the image of a chrome or gloss-black aftermarket wheel. If this seems a little silly to you, consider that it’s actually extremely common! Plus, it’s an incredibly cost-effective way of cleaning up the look of a vehicle without breaking the bank.
Available for heavy-duty trucks, CCI Wheel Simulators are available in a variety of sizes and styles to complement the look of your work truck. *NEW 2021 RAM 3500 options are available!
“We have both automotive-grade ABS and 304 stainless-steel wheel simulator applications,” explains Kurt Kruse, Marketing Director at Coast to Coast International. “Our CCI ABS simulator applications are available to replicate OEM styles at an affordable price point.”
It’s worth noting that the front and rear wheels on dually trucks are different. They can look similar—but the offset of the wheels needs to be different in order for the system to work. With that in mind, steel wheels rarely come in a desirable finish and can be a costly upgrade to make if the wheels themselves are swapped. Wheel simulators are a simple and attractive solution.
How to Install CCI Wheel Simulators
CCI wheel simulators are very straightforward to install. In fact, about all you need to perform the job is the tool included in the kit. Simply line up the simulator with the wheel and gently tap along the edges, pressing the simulator firmly into place.
The most important step is to make sure the valve stem is lined up with the corresponding opening on the cover, so you can access it as needed. Otherwise, it really is as simple as popping it into place and motoring along.
CCI recently released a new Valve Stem Extension. Designed to lengthen your front or rear tire valves, this makes checking and inflating your tires easier. CCI Valve Stem Extensions are available in straight, 135-degree, and 180-degree configurations.
If you’ve installed wheel simulators before, you may notice that this installation is easier than traditional methods. That’s because, CCI wheel simulators do away with any type of threaded fasteners.
“We use the 360-degree saw tooth retention on a couple of the CCI stainless steel simulators. This allows a user to install the simulators quickly and easily,” explains Kruse. “It also eliminates the hassle of having to deal with jam nuts, missing jam nuts / jam nut covers, or possible issues with stud threads. The saw tooth retention also allows our universal application, N816X, to fit more applications. Once a simulator is installed with the saw tooth retention, it is very difficult to remove. In fact, we’ve had no issues with simulator damage or loss.”
Why CCI?
CCI stands for Coast-to-Coast International. The company is an industry leader in the automotive accessories space and boasts an impressive catalog of more than 700 available part numbers and vehicle application combos.
As a car guy or gal, you’re likely already familiar with the company’s popular Imposter Series line of wheel skins, and you may even know its wheel covers, grille overlays, rear deck spoilers, or other complementary restyling exterior accessories. With nearly three decades spent manufacturing OE-grade replacements, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen more than a few CCI products on the street, but they blend so well with the vehicle’s styling that you just assumed it was factory equipment.
Still not sure if wheel simulators are for you?
Consider that not only are these accessories an affordable and easy way to elevate your work truck’s appearance, but they also help protect the factory wheels underneath from scratches, abrasions, and even rusting. Plus, ABS composite naturally repels UV rays that can cause fading. It also stand up well to extreme temperature fluctuations.
Whatever material or style you choose to go with, you can rest assured that CCI Wheel Simulators will not only keep your work truck looking sharp—they’ll protect your overall investment, too.
Look, there’s nothing quite like a clean look. And even work trucks that see plenty of abuse deserve a nice appearance! Think about it: even if you’re covered head-to-toe in mud, a nice bright smile can still work wonders. In essence, this is what CCI wheel simulators do for your work truck. They show that—despite your eagerness to tackle a dirty job—you care about your vehicle’s appearance and upkeep. And for a potential client, this indicates that you also care about the appearance and upkeep of the task they’ve hired you to do.
