[Pinion]

Ok, I may be beating a dead horse, and I can probably find an easier way to make this work, (ie: welding on the hubcap tabs to a set of wider steel rims)

But I want to run a 33x12.50 trxus on my 40, but want to retain the stock appearance. Should I

1) Look at an option of getting a set of new 8" spoked rims (which I already have), have them media blasted and weld on the hubcap tabs, and then powdercoated dark gray, or

2) Find a shop that will take the stock set I have, take out the center section and drop it into a new, wider carcass with the correct backspacing, blast and powdercoat?

I would like to retain the solid look of the rims though and not use the D windows from my white wagon wheels.

After giving it some short thought, Im leaning towards option 1, but curious if anyone has used hubcaps on wagon wheels, or if they have dealt with having a stock set widened.

Any input would be helpful.

Thanks!

Rob

[JasonH]

I've looked into widening the stock rims quite a bit and have found two places that will do it. Both are in California. Stockton and Bolton's. Bolton was a lot cheaper than Stockton at around $65/wheel the last time I checked. I think I posted the contact info on here before, but if you need it I can probably dig it up.
I haven't dont it yet, but may someday.

[Morty]

I have a stock set that has been widened to 8" and I'm really happy with them. I rund 32x11.50 BFGMTs and the wheels are perfect for that size tire and, IMO, they stay fairly true to the stock look. The P.O. had it done so I don't know exactly what the offsets are. Stockton Wheel in California did the work.

I'll PM you some pics because they are too big to post and I don't know how to change them.

[Kofoed]

No reason to send them across the country. Start checking the Hot Rod/Street Rod mags and places, you'll find some local shops.

[pbgbottle]

another question ,your opinion needed . i am looking into doing this also ,and the place i found that will do it , says he cuts the wheel apart ,and to widen it he adds a spacer or ring into the wheel to make up the difference of whatever width you wanted, i was thinking 15x10 , that would be a fairly wide ring to add to the stock wheel ,does this sound reasonable ? does it sound safe ? will it be possible to get the wheel true and balanced again , . just looking for your opinions

[dustin]

my rims were widened by Bultons (I think) in Socal. They take the middle out by grinding the rivets. then weld the LC inners into a new rim. They balance ok, but nothing perfect. With 37's on them, it hardly would matter anyway.. Mine are 10".

-dustin

[mikealeus]

Jason, I'd like to get that contact info if you have it.

[65swb45]

Here's a pic of one of my Bolton's rims [15x8]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239827

Last time I checked, they were still at $65 per rim.

[JasonH]

Originally Posted by mikealeus

Jason, I'd like to get that contact info if you have it.

Bolton's Classic Wheels
16516 S Western Ave
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 538-5046

[NJFJ40]

I had my stock rims widened here in the East Coast at Wheel Works in Burlington NJ. He did a great job and they balanced fine and drive fine. They are costly and I spent about $80 per wheel to get them widened. Thats $400 for a set of 5 so its not cheap.

Here is a pic after blasting and powder-coating:



AndrewT

[Mickey Plunkett]

I remember viewing some guy's Web site documenting his 40 rebuild and he found a company that sold new wheels that looked just like LC wheels including the hubcap tabs but they were wider. It may be cheaper to buy a new set and sell your originals to someone doing a restoration. I'll try to remember where I saw them. You might want to poke around on the Web for companies that support the auto restoration community.

[Pinion]

Good points. I will look into that as an option.

Any others?

[rgentry]

Anybody ever tried to convert the U.S. 15 inch wheels to 16 inchers? The centers of the OEM 15" wheels and the 16" split rims look pretty close. If you could go 16", there would be an wide range of tire choices available.

[fjwagon]

That has been done too. And I believe the places mentioned above do this as well. You can find their adds on trucking and hotrod magazines.