homemade hubcap clip wheels

toyotatruckjunkie · 05-15-08, 10:20 PM

Anyone ever take a set of stock mini-truck steel wheels and weld on clips to hold 40 hubcaps? I have a set of '85 mini wheels but want hubcaps on my current 40 project (already converted to disc brakes).

Close up pics of the clips themselves? Bad idea? Thoughts?

island45 · 05-16-08, 12:56 AM

I added clips to a set of factory split rims once. I did have to take them off a set of 15" wheels that were in poor shape. Knocked the rivet heads off with a cold chisel and driled and tapped the wheels for 10-24 round head ms, then nutted them on the back. There was a little mark on the split rims that showed just where to drill them. I think theres a close up picture of them on landpimps site, as he owns them now.

toyotatruckjunkie · 05-17-08, 01:09 PM

Thanks. I'll check his site too. I'll look for the marks on the wheels for them. Wouldn't that be something if Toyota put the marks on them too. If so, I'll post it up.

american psycho · 05-17-08, 02:14 PM

I'd like to see a spec or photo of the clips so I could reproduce them, as I'm pretty interested in the same project.

I've got a set of 85+ welded Land Cruiser wheels I want to get on the 40 should they be compatible.

jm599 · 05-17-08, 06:27 PM

this is also something I would like to do. It was certainly be easy to make them out of mild steel...but then to make them act like spring steel.... maybe get them red with rosebud and drop them in cold water???? any metallurgists out there want to share some knowledge?

foxfab · 05-17-08, 06:31 PM

I have clips already off a set of rims that are ready to go on my FJ25 rims. If someone has a way to reproduce them, I will donate a clip to the cause as long as I get it back within a few months. I was going to weld em on, but drilling them sounds like a better choice.

toyotatruckjunkie · 05-17-08, 08:25 PM

I'm far from a metalurgist, but I've got friends.

If you have some loose clips, could you possibly post some close up pics, and maybe some useful dimensions so that I can look into reproducing them?

Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that wants these. If I can figure it out, I'll try to make them available. Anyone know if there are 5 or 6 clips per wheel?

Garth · 05-17-08, 08:31 PM

I'll trade you a set of disc brake 40-series hubcap wheels for your '85 mini wheels. I'm in Mansfield (DFW)

Let me know if you're interested.

toyotatruckjunkie · 05-17-08, 09:10 PM

Really? What am I missing?

The '85 steelies are white, not in perfect condition, and have stock size tires mounted on them. I only bought them to get the Runner on a rented car trailer for my move to Texas. They need cleaned up, but are perfectly useable.

What condition are the 40 wheels in? If they are useable, I'm very interested.

Weekdays are going to be tough for me, and I'm out of town a lot of weekends, but we could meet somewhere between here and there.

FJSteveH · 07-04-08, 06:53 AM

Hi All. Any update on these clips? I would like to add FJ40 hubcaps to my FJ Cruiser. Thanks

kyot4x4 · 07-07-08, 06:24 PM

I have done this i used large nails cut down and heated with torch as rivets to get the factory look on the clips

toyotatruckjunkie · 07-08-08, 08:12 PM

Sorry, been too busy to play Cruisers for awhile.

Well, thanks to Garth, I no longer need to make my own clip wheels, HOWEVER, I have a buddy in the metal fabrication business. I showed him the wheels to determine if we can make the clips. He is looking into getting some spring steel strap. It will take ~90" of spring steel to make a set of 5 wheels. We're not sure if he can get, and how much it would be.

So, I am still looking into the project for the Cruiser-community as a whole. I have a spare (bent) wheel that I can pull one of the clips off of, and use as a template.

How much would you guys be willing to pay for them? I'm not looking to get rich off clips, but will have to determine if it is cost effective to produce them. Please give me an idea.

jm599 · 08-24-08, 01:54 PM

anything going on with these?

I would gladly pay 50 bucks for 24 original clips or close match reproduction shipped to me.

thanks

toyotatruckjunkie · 08-26-08, 09:17 PM

Appreciate the reply.

Nothing happening on it. I haven't had time to do anything but, you are the only one to express real interest, and the price you're willing to pay.

I absolutely mean no offense, but $50 for (24) clips (including shipping), doesn't really make it worth it to me to go thru the hassle to have them made.

I am going to leave this one for someone else to handle. Sorry.

TOBASH · 08-27-08, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotatruckjunkie

Appreciate the reply.

Nothing happening on it. I haven't had time to do anything but, you are the only one to express real interest, and the price you're willing to pay.

I absolutely mean no offense, but $50 for (24) clips (including shipping), doesn't really make it worth it to me to go thru the hassle to have them made.

I am going to leave this one for someone else to handle. Sorry.

You need to get a sample run going, sell a few to get feedback and see what you did wrong, and then calculate price to see what is realistic for you and the customers.

I am very interested, but 100 bucks a set will kill that interest. There has to be another way, or perhaps another method of building a fastener that will hold the hubcaps w/o letting go.

Please don't let this project die. Gauge interest, set profit margins, and try a sample run. My white steel rims are beggin' for hubcaps and black paint or even black Herculiner for a textured paint look.

Best,

T

P.S. Will something like this work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Clips...spagenameZWD1V

The link is Fleabay auction for VW bug hubcap clips. If these clips sit too close to the rim, can washers can used as spacers? (As this thread ages the auction will disappear, so I am including a pic... )

jm599 · 09-01-08, 08:13 PM

tobash, ordered a set and will see if they can be made to work.
I have some 16 in. canadian wheels that are clipless but have the holes for them. will let you guys know if it works.
jay

kb3gun · 11-04-09, 09:05 PM

Bringing an old thread back to life...
Jay, did you have any luck with the VW clips?

kiwidog · 11-04-09, 09:36 PM

I found these. Haven't bought any yet but they look like they will work. Since the TLC has a lot of Chevrolet heritage they may be closer than VW ones.

Bowtie Bits Antique Truck Parts :: 1960 Hub Cap Wheel Clip

Thanks jb

kb3gun · 11-05-09, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwidog

I found these. Haven't bought any yet but they look like they will work. Since the TLC has a lot of Chevrolet heritage they may be closer than VW ones.
Thanks jb

Thanks for the link. I may have to check those out.