Adapting stock 521 caps on non-stock wheels?

[Slow Loris]

So amusingly enough my truck came equipped with 3 stock wheels (and 7 stock dog dish caps), which famously is not a useful number of wheels, and also a lot of caps. So I got these which I really like as a “wider stock wheel” option in 15” (wheel vintiques series 62):

 

My measurements on the stock cap led me to believe they might fit before I ordered the wheels but of course they don’t quite fit. However, they would look good:

 

Soooo I took it to a welder to add the nubs and he said he didn’t want to do it and that my caps would be flying off. He said go to a machinist and drill holes in the wheels instead to add the nubs.

 

Something about drilling holes in wheels seems wrong, but maybe I need to get over it.

 

Wheel vintiques does sell caps but they just aren’t right:

 

 

Any thoughts on best option? Drilling holes in wheels okay? Find a new welder? Other ideas?

And don’t worry, I’ve got the whitewalls ready.

 

 

 

[pidge]

I think it was a guy on YouTube “PuddinsFabShop” that did the weld on nubs. I don’t know what video, but google it and you may have luck. 
-Pidge

 

edit. Think this the link. 

 

Edited June 5, 2024 by pidge

[Slow Loris]

Hmmm well I guess I see why the welder didn’t really wanna do it. Looks like it kinda sucks. 

[zed1]

This solution may work Link

Keith

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Wheel VIntiques and US Wheel both sell hub cap clips which can either be welded on or screwed on.

[Slow Loris]

10 hours ago, zed1 said:

This solution may work Link

Keith

 Wow they make that look easy. Surely I can too.
 

Okay yeah in absence of a rivet gun I’m gonna go with screw on clips, good call. Called wheel vintiques and they said they don’t have them anymore and recommended I buy their caps instead, but looks like plenty other suppliers out there. 
 

I will get over my fear of drilling wheels and post the results success or fail! Thank you for the emotional support.

[Slow Loris]

Okay I’m getting there. Drilled three holes for a #4 machine screw to pass through:

 

 

added a 1/4” standoff:

 

 

test fit for diameter:

 

 

I think we are in business! I need to secure the screw to the wheel of course and the stand-off to the screw but the cap is tight. I think I’ll slam on a round spacer over top of the hex stand-off to make it even tighter on the cap but…I think this will work!

 

 

[pidge]

Ahhh that looks great man. Glad you tried it out. Nice job brother. 
-Pidge