18x10" Wide 5 wheels - anyone ever seen such a thing?

Looking at converting either a Troyer style asphalt modified or a perimeter chassis full bodied late model to road race use (HPDE). Most use wide 5 hubs. I would like to run a DOT tire (R888 or similar). Wide 5 hubs only come in 15" diameter. I need 18" to run any kind of DOT tire (with width).

Has anyone ever seen a Wide 5 in 18" diameter? Suppodely there is such thing but I cannot find it.. I have hours looking. I can convert to a normal hub but it would be 5x5 bolt pattern (5x127mm). 18" wheel in that seem rare as it is more of a truck/Jeep bolt pattern.

If you don't mind them in steel, I'd assume Diamond would custom make a set for you.

Have you seen what this guy had to do?  This 1939 Chevy Dirt-Track Racer Was Reborn As A Street Car! (motortrend.com)

Agricultural rims with custom made centers, so pricey I would expect. 

The only ones that I've ever seen are on a couple of autocross C10s.

Rob @ No Limit Engineering runs some on his "Hellboy" C10 that are pretty close (they might be 18X11), but they're completely custom per his build thread (Post #13 talks wheel details):

The Summers and Sons "Saturday Night Special" also has 18" Wide 5s, but they're steel (wheel details in posts #8 and 16) and weighed like 36lbs each:

The truck was sponsored by Rocket Wheels at some point, but the forum post makes it sound like they weren't involved in the 18s

And at some point, they may have switched to the aluminum ones on the Hellboy truck

Not sure if the ones in the last couple of pics are the steel ones or not. They appear to be the same center design as the ones on Hellboy, so they might be aluminum at this point. Either way, Rob at No Limit is involved with wheels on both of these trucks and might be worth reaching out to.

Empty steel hoops are available but so far I can't find 18s.....EMPTY WHEEL SHELLS | beyondprecise......and they're agricultural hoops with no safety bead.

Edit: Every 18" shell I find is an agricultural rim, so no safety bead and they're all 0.224" thick. They'll weigh a ton.

So, you could probably do something similar to what I have to do for my F500's 10 inch wheels.

Get forged barrels in the desired diameter and then draw up the centers and have them made. I use spun aluminum barrels for the 10's, but I have doubts they would be strong enough for low profile tires (hence can't find them in 18). Most places that do forged 3 piece rims can get you the barrels. Many of them will probably do custom centers for $$$

I have a guy who runs a small machine shop and does contract work for the military prototyping. If you can't find a machine shop (or just a guy with a CNC) in your area, he might be able to make you centers if you can design them. No idea if my guys too busy these days for side work though.

https://americanrim.com/rim-specs/

Centers meaning wide five hub to rim barrel piece.

Another option- Hubs are a consumable on a stock car, and are generally not horribly expensive... and they are generally available in a small 5 bolt circle as well.  5 on 5 maybe?

zrtman said:

 I would like to run a DOT tire (R888 or similar). Wide 5 hubs only come in 15" diameter. I need 18" to run any kind of DOT tire (with width).

Depends on how wide you want to go, you should be able to find 15" DOT-R tires up to 245 width. If you want to go beyond that, custom Diamond steelies might be the best option available without spending huge money.

GameboyRMH said:

zrtman said:

 I would like to run a DOT tire (R888 or similar). Wide 5 hubs only come in 15" diameter. I need 18" to run any kind of DOT tire (with width).

Depends on how wide you want to go, you should be able to find 15" DOT-R tires up to 245 width. If you want to go beyond that, custom Diamond steelies might be the best option available without spending huge money.

Would really like to run a 295 or bigger

In reply to STM317 :

Great lead - thank you!

what bolt pattern are the wide 5s ?

the old VW  is  5x205mm , just wondering if these are the same ?

In reply to Apexcarver :

Thank you - I do have a friend that could do the centers.

I did think about a place such as CCW for the barrels, but was not sure if there was any company already making something already. That link is a good lead thank you!

californiamilleghia said:

what bolt pattern are the wide 5s ?

the old VW  isn5x205mm , just wondering if these are the same ?

No not the same. It is quite a bit bigger. It is the '37-46?? ford bolt pattern. Widely used in oval track but only 15".

Streetwiseguy said:

Another option- Hubs are a consumable on a stock car, and are generally not horribly expensive... and they are generally available in a small 5 bolt circle as well.  5 on 5 maybe?

Wheels are still an issue. Most everything 5x5 is truck. So from what I have seen it would still be a custom wheel. The spindles are so big I do not think you can go any smaller on the bolt pattern.

Thank you for all the comments. Gave me some great ideas

zrtman said:

Streetwiseguy said:

Another option- Hubs are a consumable on a stock car, and are generally not horribly expensive... and they are generally available in a small 5 bolt circle as well.  5 on 5 maybe?

Wheels are still an issue. Most everything 5x5 is truck. So from what I have seen it would still be a custom wheel. The spindles are so big I do not think you can go any smaller on the bolt pattern.

5X5 isn't super hard to find, and will surely be cheaper than 1 off Wide 5s

These are the first thing popped up with a search. They're under $275 each for an 18 x 10

I just want to see this Troyer running around on road courses.

Another alternative, unless you plan on trying to license the thing...  There is no race tire cheaper than a 10 inch late model slick in 15" size.

Streetwiseguy said:

Another alternative, unless you plan on trying to license the thing...  There is no race tire cheaper than a 10 inch late model slick in 15" size.

Agreed. But they cycle out quickly. Am thinking of R888ish and run them until they cord. Plus not really ready for an on/off tire like a slick.

white_fly said:

I just want to see this Troyer running around on road courses.

Probably not going to happen. Hard to get a clear answer out of HPDE clubs on if it could run at all.

It was my first choice.. they are very simple and easy to work on. Plus I have always wanted to drive one. But super late model or ACT tour type chassis is similar. But what ever I do it will be lower hp and pump gas. Cars are pretty light so thinking a big Miata go kart to start.