Does anyone still replace the rim on a wheel?

[Bobacuda]

While cleaning and blasting my 16" rims this week end, I noticed that 3 out of 5 had suffered rust on the inside of the rim around the valve stem hole (rusted area does not to exceed 3" in length x 2" wide).  Two are not so thin as to concern me, but the 3rd has at least two holes rotted through. 

 

I know that there used to be a couple of companies in San Antonio that would remove the "center" from your wheel and install it in a new rim - lots of old school hot-rodders got their wide rims that way.   It's not like I am working on a Hellcat or 3.5 ton truck.  However, I cant find anyone in Texas (or anywhere else other than maybe Stockton Wheel in California ) on the net that still does that type of work.  It seems everyone just wants to repair/sell rice-rocket wheels or sell muscle car repro rims. 

 

Has anyone tried just welding a small steel panel inside the rim, over the affected area, then welding the valve stem hole shut and drilling a new valve stem hole? 

[wayfarer]

Welding on a patch just seems very wrong, if not somehow unsafe.

 

Check with your local dirt circle track folks as they use custom/modified steel wheels.

[Plymouthy Adams]

not worth the safety factor...surely a quick ad here will get you some better wheels...

[RobertKB]

not worth the safety factor...surely a quick ad here will get you some better wheels...

 

Advice worth taking!

[ggdad1951]

maybe for the smaller rims the can be re-hooped, but for my 1 ton...the hoops don't exist.  It DOES get done and it CAN be safe, but MUST be done properly.

[DJ194950]

(or anywhere else other than maybe Stockton Wheel in California ) They have been around for years and do #1 work. Changed hands some years back.

 

Now a days they change #1-1-1-1 prices. They are not cheap now!  I live near them and have checked prices a few years back.

 

Round up some good used for almost  price and ship if needed  and save money.

 

My 2 cent worth.

 

BE SAFE is #1 !!

 

DJ