New Wheels?

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9...ures259ap9.jpg
Here is a set of factory wheel centers I removed so I can get a set with these centers made up. It was pretty easy, I got it down to 40 minutes per wheel to remove the center.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9...ures260no1.jpg
Here is a new MRW wheel, they sent it to me to measure everything and make sure it is correct before I buy 5. The last wheel place I called was MRW and so far they have been the best.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4...ures261va5.jpg

Another view, it should make my XL's come to just the outside of my fender flare, and these are 8"x16"
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8...ures262aw1.jpg
One last photo. By the way they are not solid plate centers, they just look like it. I was quoted $89.00 apiece for these. I am going to send them a factory wheel center in hopes of getting another set made with our factory centers, maybe 10"x17" or 10"x18" wheels for larger or wider tires. I'll let everyone know how this works out as well. MRW so far has been the best wheel place to deal with that I called, and I called all of them that I know of. It will be a few weeks probably before I get my set finished. I'll post up more pics when this comes to completion.

Good job Fisherman, and good news too. I'll be interested in hearing your report on the MRW wheels. I didn't quite understand if you were sending the centers to MRW to make your permanent set or if you are having them make a second set using the stock centers.

I'm also running figures to bring the 11.00-16 XZL's to the outside and flush with the fenders, but haven't had a chance to concentrate on the backspace numbers yet.

I might have them change the backspacing just a touch, need to double check all my measurements. This wheel should bring the Xl's just to the outside of the flare, maybe a touch more, but hope not. The factory centers I cut out will be for a set of larger wheels with the factory centers. Maybe 17" wheels by 10" wide, not sure yet. Yes I'll have a second set made, if he can use my factory centers for running a larger wider tire. Also this may be another option for members wanting a factory wheel center.

I had my centers cut out and welded into another set of rim shells I already had. Worked out great! Very little runout.

On the other hand, those look nice, and having a simple setup people can just get them DONE would be really nice, and it sounds like, fairly cheap!

Btw, not a solid center? Do you have pictures of the backside of that rim?
Or are you just using that as a template to set your backspacing, and they will do it differently when they have them again?

OK I'll give it away, Bob you listening, the centers are two pieces. The outter side has the MRW scrolled into it. I will get measurements but it appears plenty strong. This wheel is a mock up for checking backspacing in case I want to change it. I will send the wheel back with any changes I want, that way I'm not buying wheels I don't like or won't be able to use. The fella I spoke with was very helpful, unlike the other wheel places. And the price is right. 5 of those wheels plus shipping will be a little over 500 bucks. And I might get another set with my factory wheel centers for less than I could buy four wheels from somebody else. And I mean a set of 5 wheels, not 4. If this goes well MRW will get a raving refferal from me.

Anyone who is willing to work with the customer like they have, Gets my first call. Thats a BIG plus.

After all the time and energy I've invested into my project, I'm really into the idea of finding/buying something "off the shelf". If and when you get the pathway cleared for the rest of us be sure and post a model number of the new wheels and I'll be on the short list for a set. Thanks and great pics, clean looking work on those brakes and axles...cool.
I'm still waiting on the machine shop to finish my drive flange work and I'll have some new pic's too.

Nice work... almost makes me regret swapping axles. Now I have to use crummy Humvee bead lock wheels with a custom center to fake the stock look.

I said almost! I still don't regret swapping!!

But still, that is great work, and makes people truly envious.

I think there will be a lot of members who can benefit from your dedication here.
And with a good cost savings over other sources.

Btw, the center sections look good welded into other rims, especially if you have a deep dish affect.
http://froadin.com/m715/images/rimfront.jpg

Hammer,

What size rims did you have your centers welded into? Backspacing/width of rim? What rims did you use? What size/brand tire is that in the above picture?

Rims were 16.5 x 12 or 14 (wide suckers). I had them because they came with the tires. 44"x16.5" Gumbo Monster Mudders
Don't remember offset/backspacing of them. But they did make the tires stick out (what I needed for the wide tire).

http://froadin.com/m715/images/m715_2.jpg

Did you cut the centers out and reweld them into the 16.5" rims? If so, can you run through it step by step from cutting the centers out to welding into the new rims? I am a good welder and I have a spin balancer, so I feel I may be able to do this myself...

I didn't actually do this mod.
But, he chucked up the wheels in a lathe he used for this. And cut the center section out of the stock rims. They looked identical to the first picture posted in this thread.
Then the centers of the big rims were cut out, and ground out the extra junk to leave a nice rim shell (you can buy rim shells pretty cheap btw).
Then put the new centers in the rim shells. Centered them up, tacked them, rechecked for center, then welded them.
In my pictures they look like spokes, but they still have the entire ring around the center section like in the first photos in this post. Those were what you use to center the entire setup.
Which, those rings do a VERY good job of centering the rim shell up on the center section. This is why having good pieces to start with makes a difference, and time for cutting them out should be well spent.

I can't help but notice that chunk of solid mass steel trailer holding the truck. That is one stout trailer!! i would love to Powdercoat that in OD.

Hammer that's what my next truck will look like, got all the parts even the donor J-4000. FNG good news MRW is in your state of Arkansas, you might be able to save shipping costs or shipping should be inexpensive.

Cool, would you happen to have their number handy?

pills11.com ;))

I don't have their phone number handy but you can look them up at MRW racing wheels on the internet, Google it and it should be there. Tell them the guy in Snohomish Washington sent you.

A partial body lift works great to even out the cab and bed.
The cab mounts on the frame without issue.
Use civilian inner fenders, they bolt up to the civi cab much better. And inner front valance for the radiator support that is already wider (not sure if that J4000 is wider though).

The trailer was nice, but the BEST part was how LOW it was. It handled great!
Believe it or not, I have flexed that trailer out a bit with some of the loads I have had on it before.
But it worked really well for hauling the m715 around.
Here is the trailer and m715 in one of it's last creations.
http://froadin.com/images/m715/cats_and_m715.jpg

Cool, its a little uglier, what's that it is leaking all over the trailer fender?

It wasn't the truck leaking, it was my brother in law!

http://froadin.com/images/m715/M7_John.jpg

dude - pi$$ing on another guys' truck and trailer? Hanging offense!