Chroming the wheels

[thenewkid64]

Well, I am at the end of my rope.

I want the wheels on the 78 to be bright and shiny. I have been on a search for wheel liners that will fit. I have 8 bolt fromt and rear wheels. They have Firestone 19.5X6 78 stamped on them and I have had no luck finding the liners. When I say that have 8 bolt front wheels on a P30 Chassis, the people at the places I have called have all gone huuuuh???

So do I just have them chrome plated? What do you think it would cost on a per wheel basis? Is there anything the chroming will do to the structure of the wheel? would I be better off just buying Aluminum wheels?

Once again the thought comes to mind. Am I nuts?

[74Argosy24MH]

What shape are they in? They have to be polished before they can be chromed or will look terrible. The more rust, pits, the more $$. My grill was $250 to chrome and I polished it pretty well before it was welded, knew it would be hard to do after. Aluminum wheels will ride a lot better than steel wheels because of the way they are made and are easier to maintain than chrome (my opinion).

John

[john hd]

brett,

the last thing i had plated for my old bike cost more than the part itself.

if i had to do six large rims i'd consider sand blasting and silver powdercoating.

best of both worlds, lower cost and easy upkeep.

you could always go with a color to compliment the trim on the unit.

john

[thenewkid64]

They have some light rust. No flaking or pitting. I assumed that they just were sandblasted and chromed. Shows what I know.

I may just go with rustoleum hammered metal paint and make them as silver as I can. They currently have what is left of the matching bronze paint from 78 on them.

[InsideOut]

We have a local chrome shop here in town that we had our original entry door handles, rosettes and license plate light re-chromed and it cost about $50. A bunch of "Bits & Pieces"...I know, I know, a little different than wheels, but if you take them in to a similar shop near you, I'm sure they'll give you an estimate. At least then you'll know what you up against...and can make a decision from there.

Shari

[PeterH-350LE]

Considering the mileage on your rig, there is a good chance that your old rims are warped.
I would buy 2 Alcoa rims for the front and keep on dreaming about the day I get to replace the 4 in the back.

[thenewkid64]

Peter,

I would love to find 2 Alcoa wheels. I have talked to a number of HD truck places and they said that acloa's were never made for my bolt pattern. In fact the steel ones are NLA too. One place I talked to had a set of 4 that they had sent out to chrome years back for a customer and the guy never picked them up. $750.00 for 4 wheels already chromed. The budget is squealing already, I may just have to wait.

Now I guess the question is how many bolts holes do you have on your wheels?

Looking at the Pictures I would say 78-82 all are 8 bolt, but I would love to know for sure. Just to allow a larger pool of wheels to draw from. I hope I do not have an orphan.

[dinoburb]

Alcoa Wheels are an excellent addition to any vehicle. Click on the following URL for information:

http://www.alcoawheels.com/default.asp

Meander within the site and find the fittment guide. I've found local dealers tend to say "THEY DON'T MAKE ANYTHING FOR YOUR . . . (fill in the blank)," because they don't want to take the time to lookup and order the item. It is simply too much trouble.

Use the computer to locate a dealer who will sell mail order, measure the diameter of your bolt circle, and find your wheel on the Alcoa site. Easy as that!!!

Except for mounting, shipping, etc . . .

Hope this helps some.

[74Argosy24MH]

I hope I do not have an orphan.

You attract them; steel panels and 10 lug wheels.

Wave $500 in front of them and see if they will go for it. If they have been sitting for years every month is less vehicles on the road that use them.

My '79 SOB has 10 lug 19.5's. Don't know what diameter yours are, but the tires are only 1" taller than the 16.5's on the Argosy.

The 79 has hub caps on it. Not Dicor liners, they curve out like a hub cap so those are available (and stainless).

John

[thenewkid64]

At least the nose of the 78 is all aluminum. I did a bit of surfing and lug nut counting. It looks like the wheels I have were used 79,80,81. In 82 they went back to a 5/10 setup.

So I have in a way answered my own question on the year range. Now to find the wheels. I don't even have a spare let alone a place to mount it. I want to stow it under the coach. but I may not have the room.

I had given the thought of making an offer on the dusty ones they have and seeing if they will bite. It may have to wait until next month.

[k5cad]

Here is an image of my '82 280 isuzu 5/10 wheels with J C Whitney stainless steel covers. The coach was polished and the stainless steel covers really toped it off.

Steele