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Decisions: wire or disc???

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fordtrucks4ever

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I am going back and forth as to which wheels to use. I have complete wires with all necessary parts to adapt to Bugeye. But they are only 4 inches wide. If I use the OE steel wheels, I can weld centers in to a wider rim. Wires are damaged and will need some attention, so both sets will take some work before using. I like the looks of wires, but considering some low profile wider tires that will fit with the bigger steel wheels. Also I have to buy new brake disks either way, so this would be a semi permenant decision. Any influental input out there????
 
Wires look great, I agree. But from a practical point of view, I'd go with the steel wheels. In particular, I like the "look" of wider steel rims with stock spiders and the stock litle "AH" hubcaps. You used to see this a lot years ago when folks just had their normal steel wheels widened.
Steel wheels are easier to balance and you can pop the tires off on a machine (rather than with tire irons).
Be careful about using some of the very early Sprite riveted wheels....they are prone to cracking.
 
I vote for disc wheels as well, at some point those old spokes will take a crap on you, and really good spoke like Dayton tubeless chrome are big money. So if I was on the fence, I would go the disc wheel route and if you ever do decide to go with a alloy wheels you have better and cheaper choices when compared to Dayton spokes or alloy spline drive wheels. Also you never wear out a bolt wheel hub, but you can betcha you will wear out a splined hub and that's one less thing you have to worry about or ever buy with a disc wheel set up.
 
But the pansport wheels or similar look so good on a bugeye. Sorry.
 
They do, Jack, but you can get those kind of wheels in a 4-bolt pattern. I'm partial to discs with the little AH hubcaps, but then that's what I have on the Tunebug. Just looks right to me.
 
Yea Drew I like the orginal ones. However, if I was going to build a street rod Bugeye it would have the others.
 
Hello Terry,

I would select the disc wheels or period style alloys, not wires. However I would definitely not go for low profile for the simple reason that they look wrong, are uncomfortable and really need a larger diameter wheel. There is a lot to be said for having moderate tyre width as it makes for a better handling and driving enjoyment. Greater grip (theoretically) from wide modern rubber takes more catching than more modest tyres.
Depends whether you prefer show to fun?

Alec
 
Hap wrote:
[ QUOTE ]
...Also you never wear out a bolt wheel hub, but you can betcha you will wear out a splined hub and that's one less thing you have to worry about or ever buy with a disc wheel set up.

[/ QUOTE ]

Roger-roger! And another consideration is unsprung weight. "Basket" wheels weigh a TON compared to the pressed steel ones.
 
Sprite centers, corvair rims, 3.75 off set. Made in Los Angeles around 72-73....
 

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I was not planning on rubberbands as low profile. What I would consider as such would look stock compared to whats around today. I was favoring the original disc centers with 5 to 5.5 width rims. I already have new tires if I go this route. But need to become proficient in sheetmetal work on body before setting it back on the ground.
 
This question has been asked, discussed, and worried about many times on this forum and by about any long term owner of a lbc. We all come to our own discision based on our needs and uses of our particular lbc. 1) Wire wheel spridgets take a different rear axle, it is shorter than the disc rear axle. 2) As stated, the Daytons are really the only maintenance free way to go, but are expensive. 3) Any other wire wheel requires constant mantenance. 4) If you are going to travel and have a flat, you could be in trouble with a wire wheel to get a repair. 5) Steel wheels offer a wide range of rim widths, and offsets that will allow you to put on a diffferent tires. These are several issues as I made my decision, and I am aware that everbody has their own opinion. It is a decision that you will live with, and it is nice to get a lot of different ideas. One last thought, low profile tires on even new cars with taller rims cause ride problems. Our lbcs really don't have the suspensions for a radical radical rubber band. Good luck with your decision.
 
I put my vote in for wire wheels they look better maybe more expensive to buy/maintain but thats whats my 1st Midget had & I always liked them better just my 2 cents. Mark
 
personally, I like wires for show, disc for go........
 
I recently recieved 4 new wire wheels from Daton via British Wire Wheel with dunlop bias ply racing tires mounted for use on my spridget engined lotus replica. i went this route for 2 reasons: 1st for the classic look of true knock-off/on wheels instead of the bolt on type or even disc wheels. And 2nd for the traditional handling and driftability of the skinny bias tires. This is an unusual situation since there is no room for wider tires under the bodywork, nevertheless I could have gone with radials if not for their habit is sticking right up untill they snap break away resulting in a spin.
 
I do have both sets of axles complete for which way I go. Also have several extra wire wheels, one would be a spare obviously. Besides its very easy to break a tire down off wire wheel. Done it to my BJ8 plenty of times. Just planning ahead, so I could buy the correct rotors for setup I go with. I like the looks of both. Weight of wires is making me lean heavily towards steel wheels. But I would still have to cut out centers and weld wider rims. Maybe save wires for golf cart. Thanks for input.
 
Wire wheels on a be require a MK I Midget or MKII Sprite original quarter eliptical wire rear, which are hard to come by. The front also uses different hubs which are easy to come by. My brother recently converted his to chrome wires and it looks great. I have the Mini Lite rep's on mine, which I like as well.

The wires do look great and if you are not concerned about the weight difference, I would definately consider them, if you can find the rear for it. I haven't seem many BE's with them on it, but please if you are going to go the route know that it is not cheap, probably ($1,500) since ya gotta use chrome.

Patrick
 
Patrick, there was a dealer installed bolt on hub kit to install wires on a disc wheel car. I've still got one kicking around in storage somewhere that I pulled off my '63.
Jeff
 
The wire wheel axles are one inch shorter that discs. It isnt any trouble or problem to weld 1/4 elliptic mounts to later model axle. Simple and wont be any different than if orginally equipped.
 
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