My wheel idea for 20" steelies

[way2lo2]

So how much would you guys be willing to spend for a set of 17, 18, or 20 aluminium wheels that resembled stock steelies that a poverty cap could be snapped on to. I'm not talking a set of smoothies with a cap but actual copy of a stock wheel.Would cast aluminum be ok if the price was significantly less then billet? Would unpolished be ok since most would get Powdercoated or painted? I'm curious to see what you guys think, this something I've been considering doing if demand was high enough.
Thanks
Boris
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[lolife99]

Originally Posted by way2lo2

So how much would you guys be willing to spend for a set of 17, 18, or 20 aluminium wheels that resembled stock steelies that a poverty cap could be snapped on to. I'm not talking a set of smoothies with a cap but actual copy of a stock wheel.Would cast aluminum be ok if the price was significantly less then billet? Would unpolished be ok since most would get Powdercoated or painted? I'm curious to see what you guys think, this something I've been considering doing if demand was high enough.
Thanks
Boris
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I think they could support a $250-$350 (each) price tag easily.
Getting the backspacing correct for the 60-87 trucks would be important.
Another plus would be a 20x10 size available to go with a 20x8.5 wheel.

[way2lo2]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I think they could support a $250-$350 (each) price tag easily.
Getting the backspacing correct for the 60-87 trucks would be important.
Another plus would be a 20x10 size available to go with a 20x8.5 wheel.

these would use a conventional hoop to keep the look authentic and backspace could be in 1/8" increments. Widths on a 20 would be 8 or 9.5. The $350 each could be close on a 17" but barrel costs would probably make the 20's closer to 400-500. Do you guys think that is too much? Keep in mind the wheels would need expensive testing on each diameter as well as tooling. These would also be 100% American made.
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[Rochlow]

The $400-500 price tag for each wheel would scare me away. The market already has a ton of wheels that can be bought in this price range built to owner specs.

[lolife99]

That's the same price as the Torque Thrust II wheels.
Everyone wants custom wheels at the price of Coys.

I think the market would be limited.
But I like the fact that any backspacing would be available.
Plus,... you would be the only one selling these wheels.
I might be interested in a set.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Rochlow

The $400-500 price tag for each wheel would scare me away. The market already has a ton of wheels that can be bought in this price range built to owner specs.

I priced having some 'clone' steelies made by one of the wheel manufacturers.... $2K is less than half price vs my quote.

[Rochlow]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I priced having some 'clone' steelies made by one of the wheel manufacturers.... $2K is less than half price vs my quote.

I guess what I meant to say was the market is full of 20" billet wheels that can be bought in the 2k range built with specific backspacing specs and multiple widths. Billet specialties vintecs, Centerline smoothies, Raceline...

That being said, a steel wheel or cast aluminum that for $2k or more is a hard sell for me. From what I've read these wheels will have limited bolt patterns, widths and backspacing..

[cajundragger]

Boris if you are serious I'd focus more on the larger sizes. 20"+

I'd for sure test out a set of 22x8.5 and 22x10's in a 5 on 5.5 haha


I just think its a fad though. I'd worry about going through the tooling process only to get a marketable product and everyone has moved on.

crager 5 spokes and vintecs are classic and will never go away. I'm not sure about the steelie in the scheme of things.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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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[jlaird]

Hmmmm...http://diamondracingwheels.com/drwcustom.html
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[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by jlaird

Hmmmm...http://diamondracingwheels.com/drwcustom.html
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Not working for me??

[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.