Trailer Rims Question

[Rigsby]

The only ones i can think of on 4x98mm centres are Fiats and early Skoda Favorits and possibly the older Lancias. The wheels from these might go on the hub, depending on the size of the hole in the middle of the wheel
I cant think of any vintage rims that would fit, but you could try the older VWs or Audis for a classic look, or look for some Euro or cal look rims as these are often a classic, but wider, look
steve

[jackdaw]

Heikki,
Could you have the hubs re drilled and new studs fitted to suit the wheels you like ?
I would have thought a local engeneering company could drill and tap a new thread for less than a the cost of spacers.
It could open up your choice of wheels.
Just trying to think of ways around the red tape.

Dave.

[Classic Finn]

Heikki,
Could you have the hubs re drilled and new studs fitted to suit the wheels you like ?
I would have thought a local engeneering company could drill and tap a new thread for less than a the cost of spacers.
It could open up your choice of wheels.
Just trying to think of ways around the red tape.

Dave.

Hey there Dave & Steve -

Red Tape?
This country loves red tapeYou brought up an interesting thought.. Yes Ive contacted 2 machinists now locally.. normally they dont do such but when I told them why and to check out the Forum here they totally understood.. Also I received questions as to what year of car? And I replied with a smile and said sorry but it wont be for a car.. I saw the expression on one of the machinists and it was a sight to see..

The other went totally quiet sort of scratching his head thinking this guy is totally off his rocker. Ok yes I am in a fun way but then all of us who have been hit by this virus known as the teardrop bug, we are different to say most proudly..

Ok now my question is this. Which of the 2 sizes is best for redrilling and so on to match an American Type Wheel? Or is there any difference? The 4 x 100 or 5 x 112? Id think it is determined by the size of the rim itself? Am I correct?

My present tear has or had a 5 x 112 and the entire thing was redone by a machinist far away from us. Almost a 4 hour drive one way. And it looks as though nothing was ever done to it. Ive got a nice set of Smoothies by American Racing on it. And the Inspectors didnt even notice and of course I didnt mention it either

Also I found out that American Racing has stopped making the smoothies?? Can anyone verify this? This is my favorite Wheel. Up to now anyway. I called to Sweden where the warehouse is located for many of the American Wheels and they told me it was about a year ago that they stopped making them.

Also I was told that American Racing has Smoothies that have the 4 x 100
bolt pattern.. however I cant verify this but there must be some truth to this Saga of the Smoothie if the Importers say this. Is it better to redrill on a small wheel hub or plate on the axle than that of a bigger one?

Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

Here are some photos of my set up. 1st you can see the axle and so on. Next summer Im going to go with parabellum leafs on it too.



Then the hubs which have been redone. (Not the best photos) Now these guys said if needed they will make me entirely new hubs so that is a nice thing even though its extra work just to get the wheels I want.

[jackdaw]

The American Racing smoothies are still offered on this website;

https://secure.performanceplustire.com/sc/

But they could be old stock. Someone else maybe able to shed more light...........


Dave

[Classic Finn]

Here are my favorite for a small tear. Porsche 914

Pulttijako: 4 x 130mm. Koko: 15 x 5,5". Offset: 26mm. Paino: 8,4kg.

So the bolt pattern is 4 x 100 on our axles and this wheel pattern is 4 x 130. So it does mean that a totally new hub would have to be made then correct? (In our country).




Another nice rim we have available here is with: 5 x 205 bolt pattern and Offset of 21mm. Its called the Empi 8-spoke 5,5x15" .



and Centerline


5,5 x 15" - With pattern : 5 x 205mm
and : 4 x 130mm also Offset 21mm.

So yes we do have a few nice wheels but all with opposite hub patterns as to what is found for the axles. And to my taste

[Classic Finn]

I think the easiest hassle free thing to do if American Style Wheels are to be used is take wheels over to a machinist and give him the hubs and say make some chips but please do so without any further red tape


Hmmm 5 x 112 bolt pattern - Mercedes.. An American Style Tear with Mercedes Wheels and Grants 11 inch fenders.. Wonder what that would look like?

[Rigsby]

If you want to use the porker rims, why dont you get a pair of 4 stud classic beetle hubs and stubs 4x 130 or Skoda estelle/ rapid hubs 4x 130 and get some one to graft the stubs onto the ends of the axle? This way it gives you scope to use several classic look rims
steve

[brian_bp]

I was thinking about this last night, and realized that I had an error in my previous post... 98mm is not the 4" bolt circle diameter which is common on trailers; 4" would be 101.6 mm. I remembered that our Triumph Spitfire has a pattern just under 4", but I just checked and it is 3.75" (95.25 mm); I had never heard of the 98 mm (3.858") pattern... but then I don't know much about Skodas.

The bolt circle diameters which are not "round numbers" in metric are usually older patterns which were originally defined in inches. My guess is that 98 mm is probably really 3-7/8", or 98.425mm (just as the very common 114.3 mm pattern is simply 4-1/2"), but I'm only guessing at that.

Re-drilling hubs to change to a different bolt pattern seems practical to me only if the number of bolts remains the same, and it does not address any mismatch in offset.