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Topic: Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims? (Read 2224 times) previous topic - next topic

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

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.

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #1 –
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.

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #2 –
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"
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #3 –
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...
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #4 –
I've actually seen a TC with those wheels. If you ever visit NATO give turboeric a shout.
2005 Subaru WRX STi|daily driver

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Chuck W;139821
I counter-sunk the holes to use tapered lugs as well...

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...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #6 –
As long as it works right? ;)
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #7 –
It may be cheaper to go 5 lug.It's not an expensive task if you shop around.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #8 –
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.
 

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #9 –
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.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;139970
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.

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #11 –
Let me know what you find out,and which direction you go.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #12 –
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.
It's Gumby's fault.

Re-drilling bolt pattern on rims?

Reply #13 –
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.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣