My wheel idea for 20" steelies

[BuiltwithIvy]

Don't get me wrong, I would be interested, but keep in mind a set of 20" smoothies from Centerline run 300 ea. If you start to get too much over that price it would lead me back to the Centerlines

[jlaird]

I have to agree with everybody else. $350 is about as high as I would go for 20's.

What I think somebody should look into as a business opportunity is to find a place that would stamp a steel center and then have that center mated to existing 20" hoops like the dodges. After all the setup expense, that would be a cheaper alternative than milling.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by jlaird

I have to agree with everybody else. $350 is about as high as I would go for 20's.

What I think somebody should look into as a business opportunity is to find a place that would stamp a steel center and then have that center mated to existing 20" hoops like the dodges. After all the setup expense, that would be a cheaper alternative than milling.

The drop center (where the center welds to the rim) on newer wheels are too close to the edge of the rim, the backspacing would be too much or too little. I've tried with Titan 18's but they won't work.
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[theastronaut]

This company makes 17x7" Billet/Steel smoothies for VW's for $1,145.00 a set. I don't see why the same way of building the wheels couldn't be used for our trucks. They use a steel rim with ring welded on the drop center that interlock with a forged/billet center.

http://airkewld.com/index.php?option...k=1&Itemid=548

More info on how they're built:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/vie...highlight=17x7

[cajundragger]

steel hoops are easy cause they are rolled and seamed.

thats why the first wheel to go big was a wire wheel.

now stamping the centers would be the hard part.

I converted my truck to 5 on 5.5. it wasn't "hard" but I had to be creative so I didn't have to use adapters.

[jlaird]

Very cool theastronaut. Thanks for sharing.
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[67c10rustbuket]

I emailed stockton wheel about this and they replied (amazing I got a reply!)
"Sorry no 20" yet"

[jlaird]

I haven't got very far on this either. The customer service at Coker/honest Charlie's has been sub par at best. Three voicemails have gone unanswered so far. The only thing I've got out of them is they will sell me the inners for $160 each. Trying to get a diameter on that inner has been like pulling teeth.
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[chevyrestoguy]

Here's an idea I have been bouncing around in my head for awhile:

Find someone who is really good at working with fiberglass/composite/or plastics and have them make an insert that looks like a steel wheel center. You could make a mold off of an original 15" wheel and then add the extra on the edge to compensate for the larger diameter. During the layup process, sandwich a steel insert into the plys that will strengthen the lug area (a steel wheel spacer will work). Also, determine the inside measurement of the dog dish cap you want to run, and rivet or weld the hubcap clips to the steel insert before you start laying the wet plys. After the layup is complete, you'll have essentially an "inside hubcap" that will slide inside the wheel lip. You could run a longer wheel stud and double-nut the insert (remember, you have a steel insert, so you can run it tight). Find a crappy old set of aluminum 20" wheels on Craigslist for cheap, polish the lips, paint your new inserts whatever color you want.

Now, you've got a 20" wheel that looks like a steelie for cheap.

[jlaird]

The company I mentioned earlier is Billet Vintiques also known as Circle Racing Wheels. The Billet Vintiques website is under construction so the wheels I'm talking about are not on the site. But anyway, they make a 20" smoothie, rally, and Genie style wheel. Problem is they are $700 each
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[lolife99]

Works for me,...

[67c10rustbuket]

BINGO! Price????

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by 67c10rustbuket

BINGO! Price????

Maybe, depends on what the center looks like, and of course price. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow.
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[SCOTI]

It works for me now as well....

[jlaird]

Another day of striking out. I called the Diamond wheel company that was posted. I say I'm interested in a custom set of steel wheels. She asks what size. I say 20". She says we only go up to 16". I say then why does your website say 24.5. She says, oh we are in the middle of getting that updated. THANKS A LOT!

All hope is not lost yet. There's still the Coker 20x6.5's I emailed weldcraft wheels to get a quote on widening them. From what I've read, they are very reputable.

[Ryan87]

I would try Eric Vaughn for widening,he's the best in the biz.
Plus he's a legend in the hot rod industry.

[jlaird]

I came across his name in my research. He doesn't widen steel wheels, only aluminum.
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[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by Ryan87

I would try Eric Vaughn for widening,he's the best in the biz.
Plus he's a legend in the hot rod industry.

Eric is phenominal at what he does and he's a great guy to boot. Just hope you're not in a hurry.......

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

Eric is phenominal at what he does and he's a great guy to boot. Just hope you're not in a hurry.......

He's honest/humble too.... He widend the back wheels for my old fox body cop car ('93 x-TX HWY Patrol 5.0 Mustang) back around '98/99.

I had some TorqThrusts stretched to fill the rear wheel wells up as full as possible. I got them back & was about to mount up the tires when I noticed one was wider than the other (he fudged the width). He said he measured w/a yard stick 'cause his eyes were gettin bad' ....

I shipped the wheel back on his dime & he corrected it w/o issue. Didn't take any longer than what I would have expected from any other source. He was definitely faster & better than Stockton.

[jlaird]

Well another day and another strike. Weldcraft got back to me. They said the steel used on the Coker rims is too thin to weld on and widen. Apparently they've had experience in the past.
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[67c10rustbuket]

Just released by Mobsteel 18 and 20 inch STEEL smoothies, thought I'd let you know.



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546383

[sfoxwoody]

I was at a show a few weeks back and guy there had a set of widened steelies, I got his card and took a few pics. He is in North Ga, I will post pics and his number tomorrow when I get home.
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[Mad Rods]

Sweet!
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[Hart_Rod]

Wish they would make some 20" truck ralleys....

[Number98]

Originally Posted by hart_rod

wish they would make some 20" truck ralleys....

x2