Has anybody had a set off alluminium rims redrilled for a different bolt pattern, and how much did it cost?
Chuck you did it with a set of 17 Tribars didn't you?
this is what I want to do;
Re-drill my 16" SC rims (that I have had laying around the yard for years) for the 4 bolt pattern and put them on the T-bird.
somebody did it on my local club forum with a set of 17" 93 cobra wheels for the MN-12 pattern lugs and they said it was very expensive... they wouldnt give me a price tho. i do know that they'll have to fill in like 2 holes and then redrill the wheel. for some reason, i think i rember hearing that it cost almost as much as the set of wheels to have it done.
I dunno about going from 5 bolt to 4, but I had the aluminum slots that I installed on my old Cougar redrilled because the 4-bolt pattern they had was much too large. I also had a set of "hub-centric" rings made up out of aluminum. It cost me about $100 total, but that's likely because no holes had to be filled or anything - they just drilled new holes in the "flats" between the old ones. I also ended up having to use "collared" lug nuts instead of tapered, or "acorn" nuts, which is why I had the rings made up.
When I brought the rims to the machine shop I also brought an old rotor, and just told the shop "Make these fit that"
Going 5 to 4 is going to take more work.
I did the same as TC did above, except I did the work myself with the exception of having my buddy turn the concentric rings on the lathe.
I counter-sunk the holes to use tapered lugs as well...
I've actually seen a TC with those wheels. If you ever visit NATO give turboeric a shout.
I guess that's an advantage to being able (and having the knowledge) to do it yourself - the machine shop refused to do that for me. They claimed I'd have to have steel seats pressed in, and that the aluminum might fail without 'em. I didn't argue - a machine shop knows a helluva lot more about metal than I do. The collared lugs had big washers, so they were happy with that...
As long as it works right? ;)
It may be cheaper to go 5 lug.It's not an expensive task if you shop around.
yeah, except how would I go to the 4.25", not 4.5" pattern in the back?, the front you could do I think, but not the back.
It may be worth looking into to have your axle shaftes filled and drilled.I had a set done on my first T-Bird.They pressed out the lug bolts,filled it all in and redrilled for 5 bolt pattern.They also did my rotors.It cost me around $100.00 about 7 years ago.There's always another route,different wheels.
drilling the axles or rims is basicly the same concept, except drilling the rims will be less work. Dont have to tear apart my diff. and the different rim idea..... Thats exactly why I want these rims on my Bird..... To be different. ;) how many Fox birds have you seen with these rims on them? bet ya it isn't too many.:D
Thanks for the ideas guys, I think I will take them up to a local machine shop and see what they have to say. If it isn't too expensive I will get it done.
Let me know what you find out,and which direction you go.
I believe that you could slot the wheels and it be more reliable than it would be to actually drill new holes all together. I personally think 5 lug would work better, but ask the machinist, he could give better insight.
One thing to remember is that you'd be using the same bolt circle (4.25"), so you could leave one hole alone. If you went 180 degrees from that hole you could drill another without interfering in any existing holes. The ones at 3 and 9 o'clock might be the only ones that require filling existing holes, as they may interfere with the holes at 2 and 10.