After many hours in front of this box, I am ready to build some wide steel wheels for my project truck.

Ideally I am trying to build some 15x8 wheels, however if I end up with 16x8 that is fine too.


I have found several companies that can do this for me, and have heard the pros and cons of using all of them.

Why not just order some?

Too easy, I would rather the challenge of building my own.

Having aquired a couple of donor wheels for their centers, the search is now on for some steel wheels that have the same inside diameter as the innie wheels.



Yes those are 16" steel wheels, and they have a 5 x 5.5 bolt circle, however they are 40's car wheels. One measure 4" wide and the other is 4-1/2" wide. Both are completely useless for modern use.

I plan on drilling out the rivets and knocking out the centers for the new rims.





However the centers are exactlly the same as the later truck wheels.
13-5/8 inches wide.



I have come across articles that mention machining the center section so it fits into a narrower wheel. I dont want to lose any of the existing look of the wheel.

So, Im asking anyone with access to steel wheels and a tape measure to go out and measure the inside of some steel wheels. OEM and Aftermarket.

I need to see what rims might have the correct 13-5/8" hoop sizing necessary for my project.

I dont necessarly want to buy your used rims (unless of course they are what im looking for) but more looking for some ideas as to donors.

 

I'll buy that "completely useless" 16" x 4 1/2" rim off you if it's in better shape than that 4" rim in the pic. I've been running those rims on my F-1 with tubeless radials for almost 2 years now without a problem. That was the original stock size. Good luck with your project. Sounds like a tall order.

 

Chevy had an 8" wide wheel that can be used
Google "Wheel widening" there was an article a few years back describing just what you want to do - Showed how to make a jig for welding

 

I assume you are going to weld the new rims to the old centers? The problem I foresee is that modern wheels are drop-center and have a bead retention bump, so finding one with enough of a flat area in the proper location (for offset) will be a tall order. Keeping them true after welding will be another challenge, but it's been done. Keep us posted!

 

The 4-1/2" rim is actually worse than the 4" one.

 

Here's the article;
Widening Steel Wheels - FordMuscle

Years ago I had a local machine shop/race car chassis shop cut the centers out of some steel wheels and reweld them with a different offset for a car I had. I know there are going to be some naysayers out there, but, well, there's always going to be those telling you you can't do something

Bobby

 

Yup, seen that article.

I fully expect people telling me I should let a "proffessional" do the job.

Im used to people shakking their heads about my projects. You know like my 56 crew cab build.

 

Kinda confused on what you are doing....
You want a 15" wheel using a 16" center? Why not just use a 15" center and a wider 15" hoop.....

This is exactly what I did to get my reversed 15x8 wheels. I used the hoops from some old Keystone modular wheels.(80's chrome wheels) The trick is finding hoops with the right offset or back spacing as Ross mentioned.
White spoke wheels will work as well...

It's not rocket science to reverse them and weld them up. I found it easier to drill out the rivets with my drill press. To check trueness I used an old axle and hub and a simple pointer.

 

The wheel centers are the same size regardless of the actual rim size.

Thanks for the donor rim info tinman.

 

I wouldn't weld them myself - I past that stage of my own dumb way back - I would build the jig and get the other parts I wanted to be used though.