Technical 16" Wheel Hoops? To fit Wide 5 Centers

Going to run Coker / Firestone Dirt track 8.90-16's on the rear of my old stock car, but haven't been able to find a wheel hoop, or even a complete rim that will accept the stock Ford wide 5 center (around 14.25" across). Coker lists rim width between 6-8.5", but after talking to a few guys running them, 7" wide seems ideal.

Any suggestions?

 

Check with the guys that supply wheel parts to dirt track racers; there are still a lot of guys running "wide-5's" on modifieds out there. Fifteen years ago, Speedway used to sell the wheel shells (and even the centers), but the last time I checked, they weren't listing them anymore.

 

Not a problem ,I used spare tires off 2000 or so Chev. full sized pickups. they really don't have a center like the ford wheels . They are like two halfs put together, anyway just put them in a lathe and cut the center out . I will try to post pictures but I am not good at this ,maybe I can send them as a message easier.

 

Oh by the way they are 6.5 inchs wide

 

I used a late model Honda Civic 16" hoop. They are 6.5" wide also. The drop center is wide enough where you can vary your backspace some. I positioned my center so it added 1.5" to the backspace and 1" to the outside space. I'll check the wheel number on them tomorrow if you'd like. JoeCool, I like the looks of those you've done also.

 

So maybe there are some good parts on these new vehicles ! Thanks to both of you for the info !

 

Thanks for the info, that was a great help! I think I have some 8 lug GM rims from the 2000's, they're likely the same. Now finding someone with a lathe might be an issue, usually turnaround time isn't too good...

Thank you as well for the tip, always good to have options. How did you remove the center on the Honda rims?

Did either of you have to modify or cut down the Wide 5 center, or did they drop right in?

 

I stuck a .010 feeler gauge in several places around the edge to snug it up ,put it on a hub and put a dial indicator on it and tack welded it.

 

The centers of the Honda hoops just have a 90 degree flange on them and are welded in four places. Pretty easy to use a cutoff wheel and carefully cut at the edge of the weld to remove the center. Then just carefully grind the remaining weld off. The wise five center was a nice tight fit in the hoop requiring only a cleanup to hammer in.


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Wheel Vintique will make them up too, send him your centers and he has 8" hoops that are special to the wide 5 and he'll weld them up for you. I'm packing a set up now to send him.

 

Great info guys. I have a buddy that did the Chevy truck swap.

 

Find a supplier of tractor rims. I have some info somewhere from one of the suppliers when I was looking for hoops for my wide 5's. They were inexpensive and I believe offered different widths and sizes, 16",17", 18" dia that would fit the standard 16" wide 5 centers.

 

Good stuff!

 

This may not help you much but I've made 7J wide wide fives using Land Rover Discovery wheels. They are a perfect fit and, as they are welded in five places, are relatively easy to cut out with slitting wheel.
The Honda Civic tip is suggestion for me as there's a fair chance of finding some over here and I want to make some slightly narrower wheels. Has anyone any idea of a 6J wheel that would work?

 

Anyone know of a late model wheel hoop that will fit the '40 Ford style centers, 5'' or 6'' would be good.

Sorry to highjack the thread.

 

Let us know when you find this info again.

 

http://www.millertire.com/products/wheels/front-tractor-imp-wheels/blank/16x-6-rim-blank/
Tractor hoops.....16x6 with 13.5 center.

 

Great info you guys have been posting, really insightful - glad I came here to ask! Would have been more of project without guidance from the H.A.M.B.!

Thanks for posting some pics, really helpful. Buddy of mine has some Civic rims that he's selling, so they should work perfect..... Saves me from a trip to the machine shop too. With the Honda rims is it possible to have only a small backspace? I need to have less backspace then the Ford wide 5's..

 

Please post your process!

 

To those suggesting tractor wheels, not all of them have safety beads. Some of you might not care about this, as the originals did not either, but you should at-least know that before you go forward.

The originals were also never intended to to travel and corner at 75-80 mph on paved interstate roads, neither are tractor wheels.

 

I don't know about the US wide fives but the UK Ford Pilot V8 wheels have a 14.25" centre (center!) which was why I had difficulty tracking down a 16" wheel with such a large inner diameter. I'd really appreciate a suggestion for a 5.5J or 6J rim to suit if anyone knows of one.

 

I couldn't find any; I ended up widening the original wheel by adding more backspacing with a section cut off a 16" wheels.... there's alittle info in my build thread http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pea-green-the-29-tudor-build.943048/page-2

 

You might be able to weld up the valve stem hole and reverse the hoop to set your center in position to lose a bit of backspace, but it wouldn't be much. The distance from bead to drop center is not much different on the civic hoop compared to the original.

I would like to find some 4-4.5" wide late hoops with safety bead to run on the front, but haven't really looked. I could take a pair of these and make one narrow wheel by combining the outer section of each, but that's getting into a lot of work. It would be cheaper to just send my centers to one of the vendors if they have a narrow hoop with safety beads.



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I thought that the hoops from "temporary spares" might be good, but I have found that to not be the case. Of all that I have dug up at the yard, each only had a safety bead on just one side!

I am thoroughly unsure as to why this would be the case.

 

Hmm. That's weird. I looked at several of those trying to find a narrow hoop but never found one with the right diameter inside. Never got so far as to notice the safety bead issue. Thanks for that info, because I might have overlooked that if I'd found a good fit.


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I found a whole mess in 16" x 4", with just one bead. I have two, for shop rollers.

I'm hoping someone here can spot a double.

 

If you are using tubes do you really need safety beads? Which are the narrow production wheels you found with the correct ID (even if they only have one safety bead)?

 

Ever roll a tire off of a wheel? I have.

Also, I don't run tubes. They generate excess heat with radials. I have popped tubes too.

Dodge. Many models have 16" x 4".

 

No radials allowed...

 

I used Iveco van hoops. 5"