Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter)
Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
8/31/20 8:09 a.m.

Is it possible to have a set of dual drilled billet wheels welded up and redrilled in a completely different pattern?

Like, this set of centerline i have is drilled for two different four lug patterns. However,  i want a 5x5 pattern so i can put them on my truck. 

Is this possible,  or am i asking pigs to fly?

John Welsh (Moderate Supporter)
John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) Mod Squad
8/31/20 8:13 a.m.

Adapters? 

chandler
chandler PowerDork
8/31/20 8:39 a.m.

Yes, done all the time. Wheel flip does it but so will any good local machine shop.

Professor_Brap (Forum Supporter)
Professor_Brap (Forum Supporter) SuperDork
8/31/20 8:41 a.m.

Yes, machine shop behind the house will. 

Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter)
Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
8/31/20 8:59 a.m.

Really? Then i have billet wheels!!! 

 

Ill have to talk with the local machine shop. 

Is there a concern with doing it? Weaken metal? Dont use the truck for truck stuff?

californiamilleghia
californiamilleghia Dork
8/31/20 9:08 a.m.

whats the back of the wheel look like ?

many wheels are made with a bolt pattern in mind and there is extra "meat" where they will be drilled , 

just sayin.......

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/31/20 9:22 a.m.

Let me know what you find when you call machine shops.  I had some later Ranger wheels I wanted to put on my older Ranger.  The only thing that needed to change was a tiny lip on the outside of the hub bore needed to be taken off to clear the 4x4 hubs.  I needed to take 1/8" off of a 1/4" deep lip.  Not even change the bore diameter, just remove a lip.

Not a single machine shop would touch them, look at them, or even stay on the phone long enough to discuss it.  They all heard "wheel" and ran like a mouse seeing a snake.  6 shops.  None would touch them.  I can imagine what those shops would say if I asked them to weld holes and drill new ones.

Ian F (Forum Supporter)
Ian F (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
8/31/20 9:26 a.m.

Some alloy wheel repair shops apparently do it as well.  

pirate
pirate HalfDork
8/31/20 10:07 a.m.

I would be a bit concerned about applying that much heat to weld up holes without re-heat treating the wheels. Solution heat treatment (annealing) occurs at temps around 1000F and aging (hardening) is typically done at temps below 600F. These temperatures are easily exceeded during welding. You might end up with a very soft center section. 

Of the aluminum foundries I have dealt with any casting  where salvage/repair is allowed standard practice is any welding must be re-heat treated. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/31/20 8:05 p.m.

I follow Sensei 6 on Instagram. They refinish/rebuild wheels and list redrilling among their services. 

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