A buddy of mine sold me a set of 14" x 8" Western 5 spoke unilug wheels. These appear to be 5 on 4.5 to 4.75. The wheels are in really good shape and I love the look. Problem.....my axles on the 41 chevy are 5 on 5. (Not original). Can I take the wheels somewhere to have them drilled?
By unilug I ***ume you mean they currently have an oblong lug bolt hole to accommodate the two patterns you specify. Further, they must have the oblong lug nut washers to seat in the wheel.....correct? If you have the wheel bolt holes milled further outboard then you have a really long oblong hole that exceeds the washer's capacity to cover the hole so a portion of the washer would be unsupported. Doesn't sound like a very sound solution from a strength standpoint. Well made wheel adapters would be one solution. The best choice would be to re-drill your axles and hubs to match the wheel's bolt pattern, in my opinion. Ray
Redrill the axle rather than the wheel and install new stud in new bolt pattern . I have redrilled many axles and hubs to match up wheels. Gary P.M me if you need some tips on how to do.
Looking around at other wheels, I have seen wheels with unilug patterns that accomodate 4.5, 4.75 and 5 on 5. So if I am able to redrill the wheels, the big thing to me would be to find the right washers/lugnuts. Can't wait to see any other comments on this. BTW they are 14" x 7" western wheels. They do have the oblong holes (unilug) and they fit on the hub....just no room to put the lugnuts on (Need additional 1/8" on all holes.)
So here are some pics of the wheels. Can someone correct me if I am wrong, but they look like steel outers with cast aluminum inners?? Again, I am hoping I can extend the unilug holes about 1/8" to all for 5 on 5 pattern. Where is the best place to find washers and lugs. Have some lugs and washers but need more.
Being that the wheels are unilug already and in really good shape, I am going to "extend" the unilug slots to accomodate 5 on 5. It shouldn't need more than an 1/8" to the end of each slot. It is an aluminum core wheel so it should be fairly easy to remove material. Just need to find the cylindrical or tree shaped carbide burring bit for dremel. (Same used for porting.) Still need a good place to find lugnuts and unilug washers. I studs on the back axle are 1/2" diameter (49 pontiac) Haven't looked at the studs on front axle, but I know they are 5 on 5 as well. (Early Studebaker truck....37 Stude maybe.)
Sounds pretty sketchy, not a lot of material outside of the existing Unilug hole, whats your life worth?
Actually, if you look at the picture I posted there is quite a bit of material outside the unilug holes. About an 1" of solid aluminum.
DON'T DO IT!!! Doing the mod to the wheel by hand will throw it off balance and possible off your car going down the highway. You're planning on taking an oblong hole and extending it even more. If you must modify the wheels you would be better off getting them welded up, milled flat then redrilled. Re-drill the axles to match the wheels....
You will need more than one Dremel to do that much removal. Wear gloves, it will get really hot right before it burns out. Have your axles or hubs redrilled, not the rims.
Listen to the others,Dont mess with the wheels.You asked a question and seems like you dont like the answer.You have had a offer to help and drill the axel,now if you dont know how to pull the axel we can help there also.If you want to learn ,LISTEN.Ive been to proud to ask at times,but this is serious,loosing a wheel can loose your life or a loved one.Please listen to these guys,ok ?................YG
I have done what you propose successfully. I needed to hand mill a set of wheels out to the 5" pattern, as you say, only 1/8" each. I used a burr bit in a 1/2" electric drill. This car makes 650 hp and runs 9.20's. Nostalgia altered. I have not had a problem.
Those wheels look like they take the inserts that fit in the slots to change bolt patterns.It would take a custome insert if you increase the size of the slot.Redrilling the bolt pattern in the hub would be much safer and probably easier in the the long run.But what do i know im just a dumb machinist trying to give advice.
I appreciate everyones comments and I am still waffling on whether to try this. I haven't bought the wheels yet, hoping to decide for sure what I want to do. With everyones thoughts, I think I am going to continue my search for another set of 14" Cragar (or similiar) wheels. Let me know if anyone has a set or what I might be able to buy a set for.
You could also buy this set (if you can get them cheap) and see if anyone wants to trade for the set you need. Just a thought.
If the wheels are a good deal, you should get them and get your hubs and drums redrilled. This shouldnt be vary expensive. If you decide to change wheels later, you will have the more common bolt pattern, hence better selection of wheels. The only responder that has done this successfully, did it on a drag car. Just because it works for a drag car that doesnt place a side load on the wheels and lugs, doesnt meen it will work on the street where there will be side loading on the wheels and lugs all the time.
Nobody has mentioned that those wheels were cheep when new and dont look that good now. To the Original poster, buy what you WANT naot what you have drop in your lap. =Those wheels belong on a 74 Monte Carlo.
if you want the cragar look, buy cragar wheels. they can be had pretty cheap...dont hillbilly those wheels up. have your hubs and drums drilled, it's not a big task, then you will have a more common lug pattern for other wheels that come along. i have done it on every four lug falcon i have ever owned, just so i could put good looking wheels on em.
Well, that's true. But they look at least as good as those freakin' Radir wheels that everyone seems so enamored of. (Then again, what doesn't?) Oh, and since I'm under the influence of DEMON RUM, and gonna be on everyone's **** list anyway, the words are AXLE, (unless you're talkin' about Axel Foley or Axel Rose) and LOSE ,(unless you mean somethin' that isn't tight!) What the **** happened to the educational system in this country? Ya Buncha freakin' moe-rons!
Looking forward to that! I have a number of otherwise good rear axles lying around with various odd stud patterns. Makes sense to change that to something that'll be more universal than trying to alter the wheels to suit.
I`m looking forward to that tech as well !!! I am considering using a clean sub frame or complete frame for a 97 Dakota, that has the 6 lug wheels...damn. But if I can redrill the hubs and rotors, that aces ! Derek
to 56 F100--i PM'd you. did anyone ever post the tips/advice on how to redrill axles yourself at home?
If you check around, there are guys that specialize in re-drilling wheels. I just had some done for the front of my HA/GR. Cost me $60.00 to have him re-drill two aluminum wheels. Went from a 5 on 4 1/2 to 5 on 4 3/4. He drilled in between the other pattern, so I ended up with a dual pattern wheel. The guy that did it usually does the wheels for the"donk" cars and he was tickled to death to do something "normal" for a change. Robert
Haven't read everyone's post, so if this is a repeat, forgive me. Moser. Send your axles and hubs to Moser, they drill both rear axles for $80, and both front for $80. So $160, it's done, done right, and fast turn times.
Cutting corners with butchery is what will bring this great hobby to a screeching halt! Maybe not a halt but severe right turn, down the embankment, resting at the bottom of the ravine downside in the up position against jethro's oak tree! Beware of the tree huggers that lobby the feds to remove anything that appears to be entertaining!
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