3/4T 4x4 Front Hub Cap Conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

duallyjams · 02-06-2022, 09:09 AM

I followed PICKMUP ( Frank ) thread from 2008 on how to make your own front 4x4 hub caps. Mine are for a 68 big hub K20.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=293221

From my experience GM painted caps are metal ( magnet test ) the early chrome caps are brass and then went to stainless. Frank thread show stainless. I did the same process for chrome over brass hub caps.

credit goes to MP&C ( Robert ) as this was done at his shop.

1) used the spline hub off of the dana 44 big hub as a template for the opening. You see the outline in pic #2
2) board a small hole in the cap to provide access for the tin snips. You can see the brass shaving.
3) cut out using tin snips
4) de-burred the opening
5) made the fixture to roll the edge of the cap. Took 16ga and rolled around a pipe, used a hose clap to hold the ends together to weld it into a circle.
6) used a linear stretch hammer to roll the edge using the fixture. Slowly work around the opening only bending a little at a time.

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duallyjams · 02-06-2022, 09:20 AM

credit goes to MP&C ( Robert ) all hub cap work was done at his shop. Check out one of his threads.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=564201

7) used a another type of linear stretch hammer, still working around the opening slowly to roll the edge around the fixture.
8) when you are satisfied with your work install it on the wheel. The wheel is a 17x8 using center out of a 17.5 wheel installed into 17" DOT approved steel ring to be able to use clip style 68 hub caps.

I still need to paint the front cap to match the rear.

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MP&C · 02-06-2022, 10:18 AM

Love the look of those reverse wheels, the caps are icing on the cake! Good to see you again James!
Posted via Mobile Device

CG · 02-06-2022, 12:52 PM

I don't think there is a better person out there to do the conversion. MP&C could build something super cool out of an old washing machine skin. None better IMO

factorystock · 02-06-2022, 03:25 PM

Great work! The nostalgic look of the correct hubcap is priceless. Everybody save those factory issue 17.5 wheels, the centers can be re used for custom made wheels for more popular tire sizes.

**special-K** · 02-07-2022, 09:25 AM

Great thread, James, and great work, Robert. This is FAQs section worthy.

SCOTI · 02-08-2022, 07:21 PM

Pretty slick work. Need to see more on the truck they're getting used on

02-06-2022, 09:09 AM	#1
duallyjams Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Deale Md Posts: 4,663	3/4T 4x4 Front Hub Cap Conversion I followed PICKMUP ( Frank ) thread from 2008 on how to make your own front 4x4 hub caps. Mine are for a 68 big hub K20. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=293221 From my experience GM painted caps are metal ( magnet test ) the early chrome caps are brass and then went to stainless. Frank thread show stainless. I did the same process for chrome over brass hub caps. credit goes to MP&C ( Robert ) as this was done at his shop. 1) used the spline hub off of the dana 44 big hub as a template for the opening. You see the outline in pic #2 2) board a small hole in the cap to provide access for the tin snips. You can see the brass shaving. 3) cut out using tin snips 4) de-burred the opening 5) made the fixture to roll the edge of the cap. Took 16ga and rolled around a pipe, used a hose clap to hold the ends together to weld it into a circle. 6) used a linear stretch hammer to roll the edge using the fixture. Slowly work around the opening only bending a little at a time. __________________ James 63 GMC V6 4speed carryall 65 chevy swb bbw V8 auto 68 K20 327/4 speed, buddy buckets 2002 GMC CC Dually Duramax 64 GMC lwb 3/4 V6 4speed SOLD 66 GMC swb bbw buddy buckets SOLD IG duallyjams The only thing that stays the same is constant change!

02-06-2022, 12:52 PM	#4
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,786	Re: 3/4T 4x4 Front Hub Cap Conversion I don't think there is a better person out there to do the conversion. MP&C could build something super cool out of an old washing machine skin. None better IMO __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … … Last edited by CG; 02-06-2022 at 03:27 PM. Reason: second grade grammar

02-06-2022, 03:25 PM	#5
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,354	Re: 3/4T 4x4 Front Hub Cap Conversion Great work! The nostalgic look of the correct hubcap is priceless. Everybody save those factory issue 17.5 wheels, the centers can be re used for custom made wheels for more popular tire sizes.

02-07-2022, 09:25 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 3/4T 4x4 Front Hub Cap Conversion Great thread, James, and great work, Robert. This is FAQs section worthy. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-08-2022, 07:21 PM	#7
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,911	Re: 3/4T 4x4 Front Hub Cap Conversion Pretty slick work. Need to see more on the truck they're getting used on __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-06-2022, 09:20 AM	#2
duallyjams Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Deale Md Posts: 4,663	Re: 3/4T 4x4 Front Hub Cap Conversion credit goes to MP&C ( Robert ) all hub cap work was done at his shop. Check out one of his threads. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=564201 7) used a another type of linear stretch hammer, still working around the opening slowly to roll the edge around the fixture. 8) when you are satisfied with your work install it on the wheel. The wheel is a 17x8 using center out of a 17.5 wheel installed into 17" DOT approved steel ring to be able to use clip style 68 hub caps. I still need to paint the front cap to match the rear. __________________ James 63 GMC V6 4speed carryall 65 chevy swb bbw V8 auto 68 K20 327/4 speed, buddy buckets 2002 GMC CC Dually Duramax 64 GMC lwb 3/4 V6 4speed SOLD 66 GMC swb bbw buddy buckets SOLD IG duallyjams The only thing that stays the same is constant change! Last edited by duallyjams; 02-06-2022 at 09:34 AM.

02-06-2022, 10:18 AM	#3
MP&C Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Leonardtown, MD Posts: 1,634	Love the look of those reverse wheels, the caps are icing on the cake! Good to see you again James! Posted via Mobile Device



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