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4/26/2022 7:01 AM  #1


Widening aluminum rims?

I found a set of US Rambler 111 wheels that are for a 65/66 mustang.  They are a cast wheel so I’m not sure if they can be welded or not.  I have reached out to a company that dies this work to see if they can do them or not.  Anyone have experience with this?

Since I have the DSE mini tubs and moved my leafs inboard 3 inches on each side I can potentially fit a 315.  To be safe I will just go with a 305.  Buying the wheels mentioned and having the rears widened would still be half the cost of ordering new custom rims.

 

4/26/2022 7:15 AM  #2


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

About ten years ago I had a set of Torque Thrust "D" wheels widened by Weldcraft Wheels in Michigan. The TTDs are cast wheels. I had them widened by one inch to the inside. They came out great. I have had zero problems. My experience is that the "one inch" widening comes out slightly less when finished - more like 15/16" than a full inch. Be sure to inquire with the vendor so you know what to expect.

 

4/26/2022 7:44 AM  #3


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Tons of Lightning guys use Weldcraft to widen the stock truck rims with great results. Just keep in mind that you'll be adding to your backspace as the width comes on the backside.

 

4/26/2022 10:11 AM  #4


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

In addition to Weldcraft, try contacting "Wheel Smith" (http://thewheelsmith.net/), they may be able to help. 


65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
 

4/26/2022 11:14 AM  #5


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Raymond_B wrote:

Tons of Lightning guys use Weldcraft to widen the stock truck rims with great results. Just keep in mind that you'll be adding to your backspace as the width comes on the backside.

 
Right now I have roughly 13.25 inches from my roll lip to the inside of the inner tub.   I will need 6 plus inches to fit a 10 inch wide rim and up.  So widening these wheels are a good option for me for a few reasons.   One it’s way cheaper than custom ordering rims.   I like the style of the U111 rim  and I could use them as rollers for now until I get the rest of the funds to widen them.  Also with mounting the rears with tires I can get a much better idea of how much wider I can go.   I did read online where someone mentioned the wheels can not be widened by more than 2 inches.  Not sure how true it is.  Weld craft is who I reached out to.

     Thread Starter
 

4/26/2022 11:41 AM  #6


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

The place I used to use (no longer there) always required purchasing or supplying a donor wheel so they could cut the widening ring out of the donor.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

4/26/2022 11:44 AM  #7


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

MS wrote:

The place I used to use (no longer there) always required purchasing or supplying a donor wheel so they could cut the widening ring out of the donor.

 
Well that would have a negative effect on this idea if that’s needed.

     Thread Starter
 

4/26/2022 12:11 PM  #8


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

From my recent research they won't weld on the cast wheels, only on the forged wheels.


Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
 

4/26/2022 12:19 PM  #9


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

I just got a reply back from them.  $275 for 1-2 inch increase.  $300 for 2.5-3 inches. 

As for welding cast rims I guess it has to due with what material they are cast with.  They are not all the same material.   I gave them the model number/manufacture of the rims so I would hope they know.  Lol

     Thread Starter
 

4/27/2022 8:15 PM  #10


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Wonder if...........they do a dye penetrant test on the Alum. welds?!(for porousity)  -5 spelling
6s6


Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
 

4/27/2022 10:24 PM  #11


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

6sally6 wrote:

Wonder if...........they do a dye penetrant test on the Alum. welds?!(for porousity) -5 spelling
6s6

They use to zyglo my welds/
 


Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
 

4/28/2022 7:00 AM  #12


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

I did not ask them what they use or how they perform the work.  They are the most recommended company mentioned when I search for this type of work.  I was wondering if they clean and re apply a clear coat on the inside of the rim where the work will be performed.

I'm going to send an offer on the wheels today and see how cheap I can get them for.

     Thread Starter
 

4/28/2022 7:42 AM  #13


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

RTM wrote:

I did not ask them what they use or how they perform the work.  They are the most recommended company mentioned when I search for this type of work.  I was wondering if they clean and re apply a clear coat on the inside of the rim where the work will be performed.

I'm going to send an offer on the wheels today and see how cheap I can get them for.

They won't apply any new paint or clear coat. Here's some pictures of Lightning wheels widened 3"

https://www.nloc.net/forum/index.php?threads/stock-rims-back-from-widening.229594/
 

 

4/28/2022 8:44 AM  #14


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

I like the idea of using another wheel so there is only one seam. But the banding method has been used forever without any issues. Von Dutch used to get the wheel lips from Budnik when he was in business. Wish I had a lathe with a ten inch swing too play with.


Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
 

4/28/2022 11:44 AM  #15


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

MS wrote:

The place I used to use (no longer there) always required purchasing or supplying a donor wheel so they could cut the widening ring out of the donor.

Was that Wheels  America in Dallas? They did the wheel narrowing on my 2004 Bullitt wheels.
 


68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
 

4/28/2022 1:03 PM  #16


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Raymond_B wrote:

RTM wrote:

I did not ask them what they use or how they perform the work.  They are the most recommended company mentioned when I search for this type of work.  I was wondering if they clean and re apply a clear coat on the inside of the rim where the work will be performed.

I'm going to send an offer on the wheels today and see how cheap I can get them for.

They won't apply any new paint or clear coat. Here's some pictures of Lightning wheels widened 3"

https://www.nloc.net/forum/index.php?threads/stock-rims-back-from-widening.229594/
 

No big deal.  I may change the center color of the wheel to match the stripes.  But that's a long ways down the road.  I first have to see if the seller will accept my offer.  They haven't gotten back to me yet.

     Thread Starter
 

4/28/2022 1:39 PM  #17


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

I’m curious as to what the weld seam on the inside  looks.
Is the seam welded and machined?

Last edited by Rudi (4/28/2022 1:49 PM)


Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
 

4/28/2022 2:14 PM  #18


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Rudi wrote:

I’m curious as to what the weld seam on the inside looks.
Is the seam welded and machined?

From the above link it looks to be welded inside and outside.

     Thread Starter
 

4/28/2022 5:36 PM  #19


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

RTM wrote:

Rudi wrote:

I’m curious as to what the weld seam on the inside looks.
Is the seam welded and machined?

From the above link it looks to be welded inside and outside.

Prolly over kill to weld inside & out butt (no pun!)....
I'm sure it makes the customer feel a little more warm & fuzzy in his nether regions!
 
6s6


Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
 

4/28/2022 6:20 PM  #20


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Eric Vaughn was the king, until he retired in his 70s. Can't believe he didn't train an apprentice to take over for him.


Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
 

4/29/2022 6:17 AM  #21


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

That looks like some killer work.  Sadly the wheels I was looking at sold.  The seller never replied to my offer.  they never replied to my first question I had sent as well.  Maybe they had someone local interested in them and pursued that route.  Not that I wasn't local, less than two hours away but I couldn't get there until the weekend which I had mentioned to the seller.



Bearing Bob wrote:

Eric Vaughn was the king, until he retired in his 70s. Can't believe he didn't train an apprentice to take over for him.

 

     Thread Starter
 

4/29/2022 9:53 AM  #22


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA wrote:

6sally6 wrote:

Wonder if...........they do a dye penetrant test on the Alum. welds?!(for porousity) -5 spelling
6s6

They use to zyglo my welds/
 

I first learned that word reading Smokey Yunick's book!  Most guys don't know what it is anymore, even at machine shops.  I may have learned some other words in that book I can't type here... 

 

4/29/2022 11:07 AM  #23


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Bearing Bob wrote:

Eric Vaughn was the king, until he retired in his 70s. Can't believe he didn't train an apprentice to take over for him.

Wow.  Haven't heard Eric's name for a while.  Back in '74 he had his shop in Pete & Jake's building and he widened a couple of VW wheels for me an then built the driveshaft for my Model A Speedster.  He was also the king of louvers back then...made his own dies as I recall.


 

Last edited by Bullet Bob (4/29/2022 11:07 AM)


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

4/29/2022 12:27 PM  #24


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Bullet Bob knows everyone.


Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
 

4/29/2022 1:01 PM  #25


Re: Widening aluminum rims?

Bearing Bob wrote:

Bullet Bob knows everyone.

Not really.  There's a huge difference between "met 'em" or "encountered 'em" and "Know 'em"  But I do recall that Eric was fairly well respected even back then.  And he seemed to be a decent guy.


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

Board footera


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