Dumb Question of the Day. Or is it Brilliant?

[jorgensensc]

Caution! If you don't have time to read my long winded dissertation then skip to the last few lines for the question.


So here is the problem. We have this awesome 3/4 Suburban we recently got from a board member ( No that really isn't a problem). My wife LOVES it , but we are having a wheel/tire problem. The tires and wheels that are on it were purchased new in 01. And because they were never driven on the tires have terrible flat spots. Discount tire (where they were purchased) can't do anything because they are older than 5 years old. I went ahead and bought new tires for them to the tune of 650.00 (when did tires get so expensive?), but have not had them installed. Here lies the problem. The aftermarket 16" wheels that are on the burb are new, and nice, however we are going to be doing a 4/6 drop with air bags to get it to an easier entry height for my wife. The wheels will look a little "dated" in my opinion and won't really match. It is darn near impossible to find Good tires in the right size that don't have all terrain tread on them. It is even more impossible to find a set of aftermarket wheels in 8 lug that aren't all blinged up, or don't cost a large fortune. I've shown her everything there is in 8 lug. She doesn't want slots, turbines, or Wagons. She wouldn't mind an all steel original style wheel, but she likes the stainless Dog dish hubcaps (67-68 style) and I think they are harder to find. She doesn't like the 71-72 style hubcaps at all.

I've called stockton and wheel vintique, and neither can really help me out. My wife really wants a simple wheel/tire combo. She really wants nothing more than rally wheels. Is it possible to have a set of steel rally wheel (73 + style) lug nut holes welded up, re- drilled for 8 lug pattern, and use later model 8 lug rally caps on it. Obviously the center hole would have to be enlarged. But other than that, could it be done? At the end of the day it may cost as much as new wheels, but the look would be correct for what she wants. I have thought about converting it over to 5 lug, but we would like to retain the big 3/4 ton brakes and the rear end. Do you think it could be done? Is the center area in the middle before the raised area wide enough for the 8 lug? All opinions are wanted and suggestions and ideas are desired. BTW, the last time I asked a shop about redrilling rotors and axles they told me 150 per piece, so I don't think that is an option.
Shawn