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What parts to go from wire to steel wheels?

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58Custom

58Custom

Jedi Warrior
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Not finding the joy with searching, so I apologize if this has been covered before.

With Midgets still coming into the local self-serve yards occasioanlly, I'd like to pick up the parts needed to convert from my wire wheels to bolt-on wheels. Can someone slap me with a list?
 
You need the rear axles, and front brake rotors.
I think the front hubs too but the wire part does unbolt from the hub.
 
And of course, unless it's just been done, you'll end up doing...

Front bushings (at least) and maybe A-arms, kingpins, either clean & refill or renew shocks. Maybe tie rod ends. Maybe steering gaiters. Maybe roll bar bushings.

Rear brakes, wheel cylinders, shocks (as above).

Clean & repack or replace bearings all around.

Might as well be realistic about the 'might as well' list! :laugh: Seriously though, if you're going to take it off the road & haul it up on stands to swap hubs, a lot of this stuff makes sense, particularly if it has been neglected in the past.
 
Hey, stop telling me what to do, eh.
:wink:

Well, yes, a front end rebuild is in the cards, along with new front springs since the driver's side is fatigued and rebuilt dampers, but a front end rebuild kit will not contain the parts to convert to bolt-on wheels.
 
Oh... you'll need wheels too. :wink:

... and lug nuts.
 
Trevor Jessie said:
Oh... you'll need wheels too. :wink:

... and lug nuts.
Click to expand...

LOL! Well, the list is complete. Except for all the other parts I need to fix various issues. There happens to be a set of bolt-on axles in one boneyard right now. I think I'll go ahead and pick them up. Someone has grabbed the front end parts already, but I am in no hurry. I'll keep an eye out for some tasty vintage aluminum slots. I was a Starsky & Hutch fan as a kid, what can I say?
 
You might want to find someone who has made or wants to make the switch the other way and swap parts!! I have seen a few BEs that have been switched to wire wheels!!!
 
bugimike said:
You might want to find someone who has made or wants to make the switch the other way and swap parts!! I have seen a few BEs that have been switched to wire wheels!!!
Click to expand...

I'm an odd sort where that is concerned. I save the old parts when I modify a car and they go with the car when I sell it. Someone might want to restore this Midget one day if I don't die with it, so the other parts will just go into some corner of the garage (or strapped to the rafters).
 
58Custom said:
I'm an odd sort where that is concerned. I save the old parts when I modify a car and they go with the car when I sell it.
Click to expand...

Just as long as you don't save the old oil, to put back in at a later date! That's when you know that the OCD has taken over...
 
hello, you might also check the classifieds here, I think there are some people parting out midgets that might have what you need.
 
Do you need an entire rear end or just the shafts to make the conversion from wire wheels to discs?

I know the length of a wire wheel rear end differs from a disc rear end. Can you(safely) make the conversion by just swapping shafts?

Thanks all,

Slickwillie2
 
I understand it will work after a fashion but the axles do not really go into the splines far enough for safety.
 
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