Changing steel wheel offset
 

I'm thinking of doing a set of the 22" GM transit wheels on my truck. However, I hate that they have 6" backspacing. I was thinking of having the backspacing on a pair changed.

I know that Stockton Wheel does this, but I was wondering if there were any other companies that provide this service?

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

I think The Wheelsmith does it.

I also know of this place, but I have not used them:
http://www.weldcraftwheels.com/index.html

Here is another I found with a bing search:
http://www.automedia.com/Wheel_Widening/res20101101ww/1

Hope this helps...

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

I saw those after I posted this. I'm going to contact them.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

Talked to Weldcraft and they said their machines were not big enough to do a 22" wheel. Waiting to hear back from Stockton to see if I buy a set

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

Depending on where the drop center is located on the rims, you may be able to cut the centers out and flip the rims to get less backspacing. Some rims have a very narrow drop center so there isn't much room to move the center around to change the backspacing enough. I tried on a set of 18x8 Titan steelies with around 6" of backspacing but the drop center was too narrow. I would have had to narrow the axle to get them under the bedsides since the backspacing changed to around 2" after flipping the centers. The valve stem hole would have to be filled and redrilled too.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...8_801380_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...21322442_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7230304_n.jpg

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

I think I'm going to try, I'll let you know how it works. If I fail, I'll go to Stockton wheel, there in my back yard compared to you guys.

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

Is Stockton in business? I remember them shutting the doors when the owner passed. Never heard the re-opened.

One guy that used to widen wheels & did stuff old school was Eric Vaughn. He did a set (wider & bs change) for my old x-cop car/Mustang years ago.

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

try these guys. $80 per wheel

http://www.rallyamerica.com/Original...ed_Wheels.html

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

A couple of years ago I got some wheels from Stockton they were wrong and I had to wait 6 months for them. I know a few of guys who have gotten wheels from them and they were not happy.

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

"A couple of years ago" I wasn't happy during my extended experience w/them (ordered 1st week of the Jan; received last week of March on a 4-6wk timeline). I heard so many negative things that I thought the owner is either oblivious or just doesn't care. I later read that he took his own life & felt so sad about it.

So many people in the same situation as me @ that time & all it would have taken was better/accurate communication. Under-promise.... over deliver.

Does anyone know if someone from the company re-opened it? Did they not ever fully shut-down? Or was the company same sold & re-established?

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

I worked with Diamond Racing wheels, which luckily for me is about 20 minutes from my house. They do a lot for circle track and dirt racing, where steel wheels are pretty darn common. They make a ton of steel wheels in all sizes/width/backspaces...but in some cases they will do work on yours as well. I don't know if they still advertise the service, but last I checked they would do it if they were comfortable doing so. Prices are pretty good, even for new-made wheels.


The only downside is the turnaround is a bit slow, more at the shops convenience than the customers, but maybe I was unlucky because my width combo needed a wider barrel they had run out of.

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

Ok, got the offset changed. Actually had the wheels reversed to get the minimum back space. Yes I'll be narrowing the axle:). They ended up at 2" 7/8 backspace

Stockton Wheel did them and they came out great. They sandblasted them too! Not sure if I'm going to clear them or paint them.

But yes it took them over 4 weeks to get them done. But I wasn't in a hurry. And it was only 100 per wheel. Good price I thought. If I did them myself it woulda cost me more in time.

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m...39bc03fbe7.jpghttp://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m...c6406d5674.jpg

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

Look good. What are you going to do about the valve stem? Are you going to weld them up and move them to the front?
Jimmy

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

Nice.. Would like to see the mounted on the truck, when you get a chance.

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

Just did this today on a pair of wheels for my VW. Didn't like the sucked-in look so I moved the rim outward 1.25" to fill up the wheel opening better. Gotta finish welding them up and mount the tires next.


Before/After

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psz1rvyhf2.jpg

Re: Changing steel wheel offset
 

Unfortunately it will be awhile before there on the truck.