Another Way to Adapt H2 Wheels

[BOstiguy]

I did this router method myself a couple of years ago and it worked great for me. Then last year I had them powder-coated black...

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One note about modifying the center caps I learned though is that you can't re-use them again on your stock wheels. I like to put my stock wheels back on in the winter and hate the look of them with no center caps. Those caps are REAL hard to find for a reasonable price.

 

[Crash&Burn]

Those are nice looking wheels.....

Are they easy to find?

Are they cheap?

Will they handle the load a CTD will carry?

 

[KevinSmith]

Hey! I am a machinist and I will be glad to do the work for trade. You know things like a shop, mill, lathe, etc. Come on please!!!! any one? Hello? Any body still there? Augh shucks everyone left.

 

[BTighe]

i like those black wheels! where are you guys getting these wheels from? how much?

 

[RHestand]

Re: Stock hubcaps

I was able to re-use mine without cutting them by adding another set of lug-nuts on top of the existing stock nuts. On mine there were just a couple of threads showing through on the wheel studs, but enough to put the second nut on hand tight. I would'nt suggest wrenching them on as they would probably strip. When you snap the caps on they will hold them in place anyway.

The down side of this is Dodge wants $6 ea. for lug-nuts, but my nephew bought some on E-Bay cheap, and I had an old set laying around off a ferd that worked.

On mine regular 9/16th nuts would not work because you need the tapered end on lug-nuts to pick up the 2 threads that are recessed back in the stock lug-nuts.

You could probably could get by with just 4 added nuts per wheel, but for safety I used 8 on each wheel.

It worked for me.

Ray

 

[GHarman]

Nice work

Just wanted to comment on the innovative idea and the workmanship. Good Job. The runout of the router would only be limited by the accuracy of the guiding edge that the roller bearing rides on. Those rims that have been powder coated are really nice! I wonder if they would fit a 1st GEN? I know somebody that owns a H2. Wonder if he would swap:-laf.

I have used 1/2" carbide 4 flute end mills in a router with great results milling aluminum. However, For this application, they do not have the roller edge guide. WD-40 is a good cutting fluid for aluminum. GregH

 

[BOstiguy]

As for using the double lugnuts to hold the center caps on. I didn't hear about this method until long after I already modified mine. In hindsight I would have loved to have tried this.

These wheels used to be found really cheap on Ebay. When I bought mine over 2 years ago I paid $215 shipped to my work, and this was from CA to MA, it doesn't get any further than that. They were brand new take-offs from a dealership.

Just this past year I was looking for a spare for my set and came across someone with an H2 spare wheel on Ebay again, this time it was local and I was able to buy the entire wheel and tire unused for $150.

The deals are out there because H2 owners want to upgrade. Sad part about my wheels are that I paid more for the powder-coating than I did for the wheels...

 

[MSicotte]

What and why is a center cap modification required on the 3rd gens?

 

[BOstiguy]

The caps need to be modified as they do not go deep enough into the new wheels to capture the lugnuts. Approximately . 900-1. 00" ring needs to be removed and the standoff spring clips need to be trimmed.

 

[JCrockett]

So if I read this post correctly, the H2 wheels have the same offset and backspacing as the stock 3rd gen rims. After doing this mod they will bolt right up and be the same as a stock rim? I only ask because I want to put 35x12. 5 17" tires on my truck and do not want rubbing. This would be a better option that spending $325/ea for Centerline rims that have the OE rim specs.



Great idea, thank for sharing

 

[CDonaldson]

Has anyone tried this method on the chrome H2 wheels?? And what about buying the closed-ended aftermarket lug nuts like those used on the aftermarket wheels, they are taller or can be purchased in several different lengths, rather than double-nutting them??



I have the H2's in aluminum on my truck, I did the routing method shown here, I cut my caps down to fit. I actually got a set of caps out of the classifieds, so I still have my original new caps. I have a set of the chrome H2's sitting in the garage that need sized, just wasn't sure about routing them or going to a machine shop.



CD

 

[JDiepstra]

JCrockett, the H2 rims are a little wider than the stock rims, and the offset is also a little different. They will stick out past your fenders. I have the H2 rim with 315/70/17 tires on my 2500 with no lift and no rubbing. They do get the truck dirty real quick and a set of fender flares is almost mandatory.