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CHEAP HOMEMADE 18"x6", 5 on 5.5 BOLT, EARLY FORD STEELIES, How-to with PHOTOS

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Joshua Shaw, May 8, 2008.

  1. Joshua Shaw
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 2,191

    Joshua Shaw
    Member

    I wanted 18" early ford style steelies for the back of my 32' I called Genie wheel company and a few others and the cheapest I found was special order, 30 day wait, and $300 EACH!!

    I searched junkyards for the right hoops, and didn't fine what I wanted. (I found many 18" steelies, that were $75 to $100 EACH!) But that was just the hoop, then I needed a center and I didn't want wires.

    As most of you know, with late model rear ends, to run wires, you must run BIG spacers. I didn't want to do this. So, I sat down in the middle of my wheel stash with a tape measure, and figured this out.

    Slick Williams and I, hand made the wheels, when we built the Dynaliner coupe.. So I said what the hell..


    Enjoy.



    You will need a stock 32' ford 18" wire and a stock 40's Ford 16" steelie. Both availible at most swap meets from $20 to $50 bucks.

    [​IMG]

    Then you need to build a wheel holder.. I have an old bent axle that I use. BE SURE TO USE A DRUM, not just a hub as wires need the drum to stay true sometimes. Also, be sure to lock the spindle from turning.

    [​IMG]


    ***IMPORTANT!! BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR WHEELS FOR STRAIGHTNESS FIRST!! No steel wheel is truly 100% perfect, actually a lot are far from it(new and old). My own limit is an 1/8 inch of movement. If the wheel is moving around at 3/16 or 1/4, toss it aside.. Below is the best way to check them. Clamp a piece of steel to your table and draw a line on it.. Then give the wheel a spin!

    [​IMG]

    Lets cut the 18" wire first.

    THE VITAL KEY is to make a "clampable" arm to hold the plasma gun.(a torch will work, just not as clean) If you have niether, use the clamp arm to hold your sharpie, and mark the wheel as you spin it.

    The First cut is just inside the inner roll, ON EITHER side of the outer most spoke. When done right the center will still be intact. SAVE THESE CENTERS! You can make other wheels out of them(shown later).

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    SAVE THESE!!

    [​IMG]



    Now its time to cut the 16" steelie. The cut is made 5/8 in from the outer most edge. Hook your tape on the tire side of the edge and wrap it in.

    [​IMG]

    Making the cuts, is pretty easy, just push the button and turn the wheel with your other hand... The speed is determined by your cutter.

    [​IMG]



    Next, unbolt the 16" wheel and put the 18" hoop with the Valve stem hole on the jig. (you have to weld the hole up, and on the inside you wont see it) Then, bolt your 16" back on and check it to be bolted on straight.

    [​IMG]


    Now the tricky part. (not really.. turns out easy) Align the 18" lip to the 16" wheel. If you have a buddy to hold it it makes it easier. I did not. So, I aligned it, pushed in with my hip and tacked (welded) the top... Then carefully rotate it 180 degees, tweak it if need be and tack it again.. At this point, SPIN TEST it.. Don't feel bad if you dont get it on the first try. Cut one or both of the tacks and make adjustments. REMEMBER!! CLOSE AS YOU CAN GET IT, IS FINE! (You will be amazed how good they balance, even the ones you think are way out)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    Then repeat the process for the outter ring. An old rear wishbone works good cause its hooked..

    [​IMG]


    Once you have it where you want it, WELD IT SOLID!! ALL THE WAY AROUND!!

    [​IMG]

    Once welded I paint them, and finger smear Silicone on the welds, as well as the factory rivets.

    [​IMG]





    Now you have an 18x6 rim that ford never made.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    I didn't weld the outside for two reasons.. My weld was penatrated and strong enough on one side and I didnt want to see a weld. This is what the seam looks like before paint.

    [​IMG]



    Here's the finished product with some rare ORIGINAL 18" Firestone dirt trackers on them. While I usually run all my old wheels TUBELESS these old tires were very hard and just wouldnt seat, so.. 16" tubes were used due to where the valve stem hole is in the wheel... YES 16".. Not 18's.

    They Balanced out good, One took 1.25 and the other .75

    [​IMG]



    Now.. for the "other" wheels you can make with the left overs!

    Head down to you local Tractor Supply and get some Ford 9N tractor front wheels.. 19"x3", about $40. then cut the centers out of them. The 18" wire centers will drop right into them. Depending on the brand 9N wheels, you may have to roll a spacer ring between the two. (this is what the Dynamat coupe has on the front)


    19" x 3" (like a model A wheel, but STRONGER!)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Hope this will help a few of you..

    Joshua Shaw
    Shaw Shop Cin Oh
     
    Adriatic Machine and brEad like this.
  2. mad-cad
    Joined: Oct 31, 2004
    Posts: 723

    mad-cad
    Member

  3. hemi coupe
    Joined: Dec 25, 2001
    Posts: 1,162

    hemi coupe
    Member
    from so-cal

    Dude that is brilliant!! I would never even think of doing something like that!! NIce work man. You made what I thought was some lost art seem so easy!!
    Jimmy White
     
  4. Crusty Nut
    Joined: Aug 3, 2005
    Posts: 1,834

    Crusty Nut
    Member


  5. Joshua Shaw
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 2,191

    Joshua Shaw
    Member

    Here's the finished product. Thanks guys.

    [​IMG]

    Joshua Shaw
     
    brEad likes this.
  6. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,628

    The37Kid
    Member

    Years ago there was a shop in New Jersey that would do wheel work like that, lots of stock car work. I had a pair of 16" Ford wheels widened for dirt track rear tires.
     
  7. You tricky bastard!
     
  8. wheelkid
    Joined: May 25, 2006
    Posts: 1,238

    wheelkid
    Alliance Vendor
    from Fresno, CA

    neat way to do it.
    Jimmy
     
  9. Cshabang
    Joined: Mar 30, 2004
    Posts: 2,458

    Cshabang
    Member

    BITCHIN JOSH....I may have to find me some wheels...then build the car for them..haha
     
  10. lakester47
    Joined: Feb 24, 2008
    Posts: 117

    lakester47
    Member

    Josh,

    Thanks for the wheel lesson. I have read your explanation of the Dynaliner wheels in Street Rodder several times. Seeing the excellent pictures was awesome. You're very talented. Thanks for sharing with us.
     
  11. Holy shit, when's TECH Week?!?!? A+++
     
  12. If anybody asks what traditional hotrodding is all about, give them this thread.
    Great job.
     
  13. HHRdave
    Joined: Jul 31, 2006
    Posts: 1,068

    HHRdave
    BANNED
    from So Cal

    Excellent post !!!! This is a great tech post. Nice work!
     
  14. Wow, great tech ! I want a set of those.


    CBB
     
  15. faw king amazing.
     
  16. Minewithnoshine
    Joined: May 17, 2007
    Posts: 938

    Minewithnoshine
    Member

  17. Shoprag
    Joined: Mar 8, 2005
    Posts: 724

    Shoprag
    Member

    I wouldn't trust my welds on something so tender!!!
    Great job, looks nice!
     
  18. Dat Dirty Rat
    Joined: Jan 15, 2003
    Posts: 3,505

    Dat Dirty Rat
    Member

    Thats one of the best techs in my opinion in a long time!

    Nice job..
     
  19. Jeff Norwell
    Joined: Aug 20, 2003
    Posts: 14,809

    Jeff Norwell
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Nice tech Josh..very nice.
     
  20. SUHRsc
    Joined: Sep 27, 2005
    Posts: 5,093

    SUHRsc
    Member

    very nice job!
    thanks for the info!

    Zach
     
  21. Sixcarb
    Joined: Mar 5, 2004
    Posts: 1,503

    Sixcarb
    Member
    from North NJ

    Good idea on cutting up the 18" to get a starting rim, the rears on this were made the same way by cutting up a 16" early ford and welding it in to a newly bought 5" wide 18' outer, the outers were designed for tractors I believe, I was curious about the balancing since we didn't balance ours, when we welded them we set them in a spinning jig to get them true. Nice work on your pair they look great on the car.

    [​IMG]
     
  22. Joshua Shaw
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 2,191

    Joshua Shaw
    Member

    Damn.. I see a sprint car above! (#29.. Wiekert livestock, wolfgang car?)


    SOMETHING ELSE I WANTED TO MENTION!!!!!

    Be sure to ground your CUTTER and your WELDER to the wheel!! NOT THE TABLE!! While the hub bearings roll, a good constant ground is NOT made.

    I clamped mine to the lug nuts. You may have to weld a bit and move it cause you rotating everything.

    Good luck.

    Thanks.

    Joshua Shaw
    Shaw Shop Cin Oh
     
  23. Del Swanson
    Joined: Mar 27, 2008
    Posts: 708

    Del Swanson
    Member
    from Racine, WI

    Josh, That's awesome! you're the man!
     
  24. 29 sedanman
    Joined: Mar 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,282

    29 sedanman
    Member
    from Indy

    Excelent tech post. Those look great on the back of Ol' Henry!
     
  25. 33 coupe
    Joined: May 10, 2006
    Posts: 37

    33 coupe
    Member

    great post. was just fixin to buy 18s for a roadster i am building for b'ville. this will not only save $600, but will be a whole lot more fun than picking up the phone and just ordering wheels. Thanks again.

    33 coupe.
     
  26. aussiesteve
    Joined: Jan 6, 2004
    Posts: 808

    aussiesteve
    BANNED

    Josh
    Great Tech post you sneaky bastard.
     
  27. Joshua Shaw
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 2,191

    Joshua Shaw
    Member

    I do it all for you steve!
     
  28. Awesome job. That is what real hot rodding is all about. One of the best tech posts I have seen.

    Bill
     
  29. Chris Casny
    Joined: Mar 13, 2006
    Posts: 4,874

    Chris Casny
    Member

    Absolutely crazy, and brilliant, great tech
     

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