Steel wheel idea

[Danpa]

I put Thing drums on the back of my 70 sedan and they move the tires out 1 inch per side. Stock rims put the tire even with the edge of the fender. The wheels I plan on using are 65 -67 slotted steel wheels.

I don't want the tire to stick out past the edge of the fender so I plan on modifying a pair of the wheels to gain some rim width to the inside. I think I'll get some 5-1/2" wide Super Beetle wheels, cut out the inside, take a pair of 65-67 rims and remove the hoops. Weld the Super hoops to the 65-67 centers to get the offset to the inside for some bigger tires.

Anyone ever do this?

Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[RareAir]

Re-hooping stock steel wheels has become a normal procedure. Whether you want to narrow, widen or just change the offset.
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1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241

[Danpa]

I was able to cut the hoops off my centers today and I'll sandblast them tomorrow at work.
On another posting, it's stated that you can use S-10 4x4 rims and that they are 7 inches wide.
Anyone know of a 15 x 6 inch wide rim available on a late model car, maybe a front wheel drive or spare?
I think with 7 inches wide rims the tires might hit the suspension.

Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[Danpa]

I was looking at ebay last night and it looks like late model Dodge Caravan 15 x 6-1/2 wheels might fit the bill.
I have off on Friday so it's time to hit the junkyard...

ALWAYS great way to spend a day off!

Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[Danpa]

Good thing I saved 1 half of the cut off hoops and didn't pie cut it. It measures 1/16" smaller than the diameter of the lip on the center section (where it gets welded).
Since my inside micrometer doesn't have enough rods to go to 13-3/16, I'll have to improvise another way to measure at "the yard".

Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[Danpa]

Here's the rims I picked up today, PT Cruiser 15 x 6. All the offset will be to the inside.
Got them at Howard and Sons in Hamlet, In. for only $10 each.

And the 65-67 centers.

Probably start cutting out the "new" rim centers tomorrow.

Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[Danpa]

I was able to cut out the center of the PT Cruiser rim and dress down the welds. In these pics, the center is just tapped in and the difference between the depth of the factory 4" 65-67 wheel and the modified wheel is only 1/2". I think I can press them in a little more after I blast the hoop.

Dan

If I can get the center pressed in the same amount as the fronts, the tire should be inside the fender and still not hit the suspension by quite a bit.

_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[Danpa]

Finally got the rims done and tires mounted and balanced. Tires are 205/70-15. Rears have same outside offset as the fronts. Just clear inside, might have to change out the bolt to a button head.

(Ride height not set, sitting WAY TOO HIGH!)

Dan

_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[risk]

Looks good! I'm using some similar minivan hoops and 66-67 centers to build a pair of wider rear wheels for my bug.

Any tips on welding them and getting them straight with no wobble or runout?