Change Wheel Backspace and/or New Chrome Hoops

[matthon]

Does anyone know of a competent wheel place that can take an old Cragar and put a new chrome hoop on it?

Or has direct experience getting it done?

I have a set of 14" sbp Cragar Sparklers with perfect centers, rusty hoops, and have a ridiculous 4 1/16 backspace.
Need a 3.75 bs.

 

[Aron Gleason]

Back in 2018 I had 2 cragar wheels sent to Stockton wheels to have the backspace changed. They did a great job. I did read where cragar wheels was doing that service now.

 

[6PKRTSE]

We have a local place here in Michigan called Wheel Craft that does all that kind of stuff. Widened wheels, fix damaged wheels, straightens wheels etc.

 

[YY1]

I have been looking for 10 years, for someone to rehoop my 14x6 Motor Wheel Spyders to 15x7.

I've found two places, both west of the Mississippi, and both with substantially less than stellar reviews.

Still looking.

 

[YY1]

I searched "Wheel Craft" and a page comes up for a business in Mentor Ohio.

Can't seem to find one in Michigan.

Any contact info, pricing, turnaround times, etc appreciated.

 

[matthon]

Called both of Stockton's phone #s, "your call cannot be completed as dialed."

Never received that type of 'not open yet' message.

I'll try back at 8am CA time.

 

[6PKRTSE]

I searched "Wheel Craft" and a page comes up for a business in Mentor Ohio.

Can't seem to find one in Michigan.

Any contact info, pricing, turnaround times, etc appreciated.

Oops, sorry. Weldcraft. I had wheels in the Brian.

 

[YY1]

Oops, sorry. Weldcraft. I had wheels in the Brian.

View attachment 1989654

All I see on that site are alloy wheels.

Mine are alloy centers with chrome steel "hoops".

I'll see about contacting them.

 

[BSB67]

All I see on that site are alloy wheels.

Mine are alloy centers with chrome steel "hoops".

I'll see about contacting them.

Steve is the owner. Good guy, good work. Hope he can help you.

 

[6PKRTSE]

All I see on that site are alloy wheels.

Mine are alloy centers with chrome steel "hoops".

I'll see about contacting them.

I have had them repair a alloy wheel for me and they also widened a pair of steel wheels for my from 7" to 10" wide with a custom back space that I needed.

 

[matthon]

Called Weldcraft, instructed to send email, description, pics to James.
Sent.

Thank you @6PKRTSE

 

[YY1]

@matthon

Please keep us updated on your progress, what you end up doing, and if you feel so inclined, how much the cost was.

 

[matthon]

No problemo.

 

[matthon]

Received response a few minutes ago:

We do not sell barrels here .. if you had the new barrels that fit the smaller diameter centers I could quote the cost to put those centers in your other barrels.

Barrels? I ain't got no stinking barrels.

Just kidding, no shade on Weldcraft.

I just asked if he could just change the offset.

Anyone know where to get barrels?

 

[matthon]

I'll be contacting Wheelsmith on Monday.

Looks like they do custom work, make barrels, centers wheels, have an online and show presence.

Warning: may exceed my price range.

Made To Order Classic Car Wheels

 

[matthon]

Wheelsmith:
Sorry we don't do that with the Cragar wheels

 

[matthon]

James at Weldcraft is trying to help.

Issues:
Weldcraft does not make barrels.
I have been unable to locate new barrels.

We discussed over email, moving the centers inward to a 3.75 backspace, however that's not how wheels, at least Cragars, are made.

Pics show 2 different Cragars, 2 different backspace.
The barrel has a raised section in a different location.

Obvious when looking where the center on each wheel is right up against the valve stem hole.

 

[YY1]

Welcome to my frustration.

I forgot I did her the outer rim called a barrel once or twice.

Hoop was the search term I've been using, as I've heard that many times as well as "rehooping".

Not sure "rebarreling" has as good a ring.

 

[YY1]

Also looks like you might have to find Cragar spec barrels.

Fortunately for me, my Spyders look to have a more standard style.

 

[YY1]

IDK, maybe not.

I actually want more of a dish, as well.

In the pic of the rear, you can see the five weld beads.
There are steel inserts, cast/forged into the centers.

I have friends that rehoop painted wheels.
They use a brake lathe to cut the welds, then graft the desired centers into donor hoops.
Usually OEM 14" rally/rallye wheels into 15" hoops from plain wheels.
They can put bands in to make some pretty wide ones, too.

No one seems to know where to buy chrome hoops.

My friends could do mine with 5th Ave 15x7 hoops, but then I'd have black hoops.

I suppose if worse comes to worst.

I wonder what that would look like.