I know that tires are DOT rated for off-road or on-road use...but what about rims? A few days ago I came across an old farm trailer with 2 good 15" wheels and well used farm tires. The hoops measure perfectly to fit to my big pattern Ford centers (App 12.5") but the lug pattern is too small. The wheels are tube type and about 4-4.5" across the bead area. I was out again today having a look around a local s****yard and I just can't seem to find any other narrow rim with the right inner diameter to fit. Temp spare rims seem to all measure a hair over 13". Would there be issues using this Farm trailer type rim hoop with a DOT tire? I'm not against running a tube...just don't want to spit a tire off going around a corner or something!
Don't do it my friend. Not speed rated. I have seen many of them come apart and crack around the wheel center lug area. Mostly from being overloaded during farm use. They seem cheaply built to me. They are usually used in conjunction with very big balloon type implement tires to help spread the weight load. But hey, I've been wrong before.
Remember, I'm talking the RIMS now...are they speed rated too??? I didn't figure speed rating would be an issue for the actual rims...but I don't know! Really have my fingers crossed that they will be OK...
Implement rims don't have a bead lock,(ridge) to keep the tire bead from slipping off. If the rims you're looking at have a raised bead, I'd maybe try 'em with a tube and plenty of air pressure.
he's just talking about the center, using a donor hoop from another wheel. i don't see strength being an issue, implement wheels are made heavier than any p***enger car wheel. the only possible issue would be runout from looser manufacturing tolerances.
I was thinking about those beads "Bumpy". Pretty sure they don't have them...no groove in the inner edge like you'd expect anyway. Tires are still on them so no way to tell for sure yet. I know that Safety beads weren't even common until the mid 60's though. Shouldn't be any different than running any 40 or 50's wheel in that respect. I just Googled some info on "safety rims" and from what I can find on the subject, it seems they were designed to retain the bead at lower than normal pressures with Radials...NOT a blowout situation...more to save the hides of people who just didn't bother to check their tire pressure. While I'd prefer them I guess, the lack of safety beads doesn't really bother me. Are there other issues I wonder??? I'd be running Bias plies on them...most likely tubeless because its a bit safer to do so. Ray...I DO want to use the implement hoop...with Ford truck centers! I was looking for mini spare hoops...but nothing seems to fit. Thanks for the replys. With some good discussion I'll be better set to make a decision.
oops, i read wrong. personally i wouldn't be too concerned about the safety beads. keep air in the tires and everything will be fine!
A little secret: alot of wheel manufacturers make wheels using implement outers. Nothing wrong with them. They are generally thicker,stronger, and straighter than alot of production made outers for the automive/trailer market. But it sounds like your going to an awful lot of trouble to get what already is being made new. If your looking for 40-56' ford wheels (15"), I'd call Wheel Vintiques or wheelkid at Rallye America.
Thanks for that info Sas! When I think about it, that sounds very likely! The hoops have to come from somewhere else...if they were Hot Rod parts only, the cost would go way up due to a smaller market. As for buying a set...Hmmmm.... "The front wheels? I bought them new from Wheel Vintiques." Yeah? Cool! or... "I built them myself from some old Ford truck centers and the outer hoops off an abandoned 50 year old Hay wagon." Blank stare... Blank stares rule...
First, the DOT didn't come into being until April 1st, 1967. So prior to this, NOTHING was DOT approved. The idea behind a wheel or tire for the road has to do with safety, not how it looks or if it will fit another vehicle. Safety needs to be your first concern, and not just for you. Others will be in your car/truck at some point and others will share the road.
sooo whatcha saying here?????? we should all s**** everything prior to 67' in favor of something safer. because we share the road with other dufusses?????? and yes the blank stare is the best
I'm all for safety...don't want to kill myself OR anyone else!!!! With this post, I'm addressing my desire for safety aren't I? If I were to find a set of narrow early Ford rims I'd use them. If the implement rims are thicker all the better...and it makes sense that wheel builders would be using them as was stated already. I really see no problem with this route now. I just need to talk to the land owner and buy the wheels...if he'll sell them! April 1st you say? Hmmmm.....
I never said that. But I do look at something that was designed for one thing being used for another. Older split rim wheels I'd never use, but some might. But how many split rim wheels do you see being made now? Safety is one reason they don't. I brought up the date, as nothing prior to 1967 will ever show a DOT stamping (so don't bother looking), that's all. Heck as far as I know, there are few things that the DOT gets involved with (tires, lighting, etc.). I've never seen a DOT stamping on a brake part before.
Back in my dirt oval racing days I built quite a few racing wheels using implement hoops bought new from a local firm that builds big tank type liquid fertilizer spreaders. Used centers I made from 1/4" plate (wide 5 type). Never had any problem whatsoever with them and this was with tires as wide as 13" and pressures way below what you'll run on the street. Ruts, "rubbing wheels", etc. but no problems. Dave
You rich streetrod guys with your credit card just don't understand the 'hotrodders way of thinking'. We can get free implement rims and make what we want. Its mixing and matching parts Its like my 1931 Ford with original engine, 1984 F-150 transmussion, 1939 Lincoln brake backing plates, and 75 Chevy shoes with 1964 F-250 wheel cylinders. Its also cheaper and quicker than placing a call with a credit card and then waiting days for it to arrive, only for UPS to deliver it to the wrong house, wrong part shipped, etc.
Amen!! You are so right with this. Up here we have a ***** of a time with shipping and on top of what the part costs there is all sort of other charges. A $100 parts can take 6 weeks to get here and another $50 in BS by the time we get it,so we make do.we build our own parts if all possible.
As far as the DOT approval is concerned, most racing parts used at Indy don't have DOT approval but I sure wouldn/t hesitate to use those parts on the street. It costs thousands to get DOT approval so racers don't bother. I wouldn't worry about those rims, they should be plenty strong enough for you application.
Should have worded it differently I suppose. My concern was that these rims had never been intended, DOT or otherwise, to be used on a car. Regardless...I'm convinced they will be fine. Thanks guys!!!
Update: The owner doesn't wish to sell. I guess the wheels will be under a rebuilt farm wagon eventually. They were Hot Rod parts too. They had that...energy...or whatever it is. Bummer...
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