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Cost to aquire and refurbish a set of 8-lugs
Core front drum: 2 @ $ 75.00 = $ 150.00
Core rear drum: 2 @ $ 50.00 = $ 100.00 Reline drum: 4 @ $ 400.00 = $ 1,600.00 Wheel: 5 @ $ 50.00 = $ 250.00 Prepare and paint drum: 4 @ $ 75.00 = $ 300.00 Prepare and paint wheel: 5 @ $ 100.00 = $ 500.00 Reline shoe: 4 @ $ 80.00 = $ 320.00 Arc/grind shoe: 4 @ $ 10.00 = $ 40.00 Trim ring: 4 @ $ 95.00 = $ 380.00 Lug: 32 @ $ 7.50 = $ 240.00 Center cap: 4 @ $ 55.00 = $ 220.00 Tire: 5 @ $ 250.00 = $1,250.00 Total: $ 5,350.00 |
Holy crap!
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I had an idea a couple years ago - essentially a simple plate accepting a 3D printed center section which would hold a repop hub cap. This section would hide the 5 lug nuts. It would be able to be used front or rear. Wheel studs would be pressed in from the back to attach the hoop section of the rim.
It would have the same look as the 8 lug yet use common 5 lug drums and the Congdon 15" rims. https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1672281022 |
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Thank you for getting real numbers and putting them out there for everyone to see and analyze. Now, if you do many things yourself and are willing to hit the swap meets and use less than a set of concours condition 8-lugs, you can quickly cut about half the cost off that estimate. Here would be a way to greatly reduce the cost and have a set of "functional" 8-lug wheels. Buy a complete set of "cores" at a swap meet or classified ad. Obviously, cost would vary, but they are still out there for $600-800.00 Lets say you found a set for $800.00. Send them out for new liners only. $1600.00 Blast and paint them yourself, wheels and drums. $200.00 Buy generic, correct fitting lug nuts. $100.00 Use "core beauty rings, center caps" $0.00 Buy available 14" whitewall tires from Tire Rack or similar. $400.00 Buy Rock Auto or similar new brake shoes front/rear $100.00 Now look at the total. $3200.00 and you have a set of functional 8-lug wheels for your weekend cruiser or local car show type ride. Still pretty expensive IMO, but much less than $5350.00. The more you can do yourself and the better the cores, the less it will cost of course. I would think you have to just assume at this point the $1600.00 minimum it's going to cost to have the 4 drums relined is a given. I have been in this hobby for over 40 years and have had at least 6 sets of 8-lug wheels on my various cars. I have NEVER had a set of perfect used drums as far as function on any of them. I consider "perfect function" the ability to stop straight, fast, without vibration or thumping from 100 MPH. If putting around town at 40 MPH and being able to stop is good enough, then I have had a couple decent used sets. I have a set of relined drums and 15" wheels on my Catalina now. I can make 3 stops from 90-100 MPH in a 15 minute time frame without any fade, thumping, or vibration. |
A few thoughts: you'll be buying tires one way or the other, so they don't factor into the cost of an 8 lug conversion. Paint can be done at home with spray bombs, I did mine that way and they still look very good years later. New brake shoes are readily available for less than $100 for all four wheels.
edited to add: you should include the cost of new bearings and seals for the front hubs. Looking at Rock Auto, depending on what brands you choose that's going to be $50 or less for inner and outer bearings plus seals for both wheels. It's not necessary for a conversion, but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the rear bearings and seals too while you're at it. |
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