Hubcap question

[Fastgreen350]

I just bought some 3/4 ton GMC hubcaps and have plans of converting the truck to 4wd. What I am wondering is if I can cut the center of the cap out so I can still use them when I do the 4x4 swap. I know the 3/4 tom 4x4 caps are hard to find and the caps I bought are pretty ugly someone painted them a mustard color, so I was going to strip them and either paint them white or polish them to look like factory. I dont know of any other options besides finding 2 4x4 3/4 ton caps but kinda dont want to fork out alot of cash, so thought this might work. The pic of the ugly but usable caps lol.

[Fastgreen350]

or does anyone have a picture of a 4x4 cap that way I can tell if the lip around the hub is rolled or not, or maybe a diameter measurement for it?

[keenee]

i cut a set of stainless caps years ago. i think i used a jig saw to rough them out then filed to size. there is a roll, i worked that by hand, first with a small hammer, then i kept working it around a piece of pipe in my vice. it took some time to do but they turned out great!

[special-K]

You can cut those out with a hole saw. The originals are punched and rolled,so it will work,look fine,but not be exactly correct. I bought some painted ones years ago with the plan of cutting out and having chromed,then detail painting. If I was you and wanted bright caps I'd start with chrome or stainless ones. You can find the yellow bowtie caps pretty easily and often for not too crazy money.

[Bill72]

I got 4 21/32" with a 1/8" rolled edge.

[Fastgreen350]

Awesome guys thanks for all the info. I have yet to recieve these caps but I am hoping they are polished or crome under that paint! Guess we will see thanks again guys!! Tim

[longhorn70gmc]

Those look like some really nice caps shape wise. That color is different. I have not seen any 4X4 steel caps out and about, but have seen stainless and aluminum styled 4x4 available. I do not have any 3/4 4x4 caps or I would trade you. Good Luck.

[Fastgreen350]

Yeah they look as if they are in good shape. I am not too sure or the material these are made of or if it chrome or not under the paint. I haven't seen too many 3/4 ton caps for the price I got these and beings its not a show truck they should work great as soon as I drill the hole for the hub after I do the 4wd swap. Any suggestions for stripping the paint beings I may try to polish them afterwards???

[special-K]

I use aircraft paint stripper. At Ace Hardware it's the more expensive can. It eats paint the best...usually just washes off. Real tough stuff,like factory paint,takes a few rounds. The stripper won't hurt chrome or polished stainless. But,wash it really good after it's stripped with something to remove any residue. You can always polish the stainless back up if needed.

[CG]

I have a set of aluminum ones that I just cut out the centers with tin snips. They are pretty jagged, but you cant tell unless you get close. I suppose I could take the time and dremmel them smooth and then maybe carefully hammer a lip, but its not a show truck.

PICKMUP here on the board made a sort of jig to do the conversion on these caps. His look super nice.

[Fastgreen350]

Well I finally got my caps in today and like I kinda figured they are factory painted caps. Is there anyone who has a pic of a 4x4 that has white steelies and white caps? Or how about some color opinions for the rims and caps. I dont think chroming them will be an option because the build is going to be a low buck kinda deal. The backs have a little surface rust but I will just hit them with some paint also, to make them hold up longer.

[longhorn70gmc]

Those look real nice. I use a converting rust/black flat paint that fights and prevents rust on the back of the steel caps. Those are going to be nice, I can't wait to see them when your done. I did a set up in black with a red star and red GMC with circle. Have fun.

[longhorn70gmc]

Here are some of mine on the walls, I like to decorate with them.