18" Wheel Center Caps... [Archive]

Mat1asBEV&ICE

12-19-2023, 06:40 PM

Hi everyone. I dropped off my wheels at the powder coater (a bit of a drive) and after having discussions with him and thinking about what I want to accomplish I have decided I want center caps instead of the spinner.

Any good vendors? What's the size I need (FFR tech doesn't know)? I would measure it myself but I don't want to drive out to the PC guy just for that. I could ask him to do it, but I don't want to take a chance he measures incorrectly. :)

Thank you gents.

gbranham

12-19-2023, 07:44 PM

I am also curious about this. I plan on the 18" Halibrands, but I don't like the faux-spinner look, so I'd like just a simple center cap. I asked this question a few months back, and I can't remember if I got any definitive answers.

Mat1asBEV&ICE

12-19-2023, 08:35 PM

I guess we are the only two? :)

gbranham

12-20-2023, 09:45 AM

I guess we are. Humm...

Ol'earl

04-22-2024, 02:34 PM

Now there are 3. Me too!

Mike.Bray

04-22-2024, 03:11 PM

I am also curious about this. I plan on the 18" Halibrands, but I don't like the faux-spinner look, so I'd like just a simple center cap. I asked this question a few months back, and I can't remember if I got any definitive answers.

You didn't like the one I designed for you Greg?

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/wheelcentercap.jpg

gbranham

04-22-2024, 03:23 PM

Oh, I like it, Mike! I had a buddy 3D print one from your file, and I made some adjustments. He's going to reprint it when he gets back from vacation, and I'll test-fit it. Short story is the overall OD needed to be about 2mm less, and the o-ring groove needs to be set away from the face of the cap by about an additional 3mm. Once he has it done, I'll get some o-rings, and report back!

Greg

gbranham

04-22-2024, 03:30 PM

Here's the prototype. He did it in red to be funny.
198549

Mike.Bray

04-22-2024, 03:49 PM

Oh, I like it, Mike! I had a buddy 3D print one from your file, and I made some adjustments. He's going to reprint it when he gets back from vacation, and I'll test-fit it. Short story is the overall OD needed to be about 2mm less, and the o-ring groove needs to be set away from the face of the cap by about an additional 3mm. Once he has it done, I'll get some o-rings, and report back!

Greg

Would you like me to make those adjustments and send you a new step file? Take me about two minutes.

gbranham

04-22-2024, 03:59 PM

No, that's OK. He adjusted the file and fed it into his Bambu printer. Thanks, though. I'll share the file with you once we get it dialed in.

Mat1asBEV&ICE

04-22-2024, 05:02 PM

If you guys don't mind, can you please share with me?

Will you send the file to a metal 3D printer and then powder coat it?

gbranham

04-22-2024, 05:29 PM

If you guys don't mind, can you please share with me?

Will you send the file to a metal 3D printer and then powder coat it?

Yep, I'll keep you updated as well, once I get it dialed in. I'm just going to do mine in black ABS, to match the black lug nuts. One thing I've found is that if you want lug nuts that don't show the end of the lug, you'll need to buy some fairly long lug nuts. They look a little long, but I think it looks better than the faux tri-spinner.

Initially, I bought a set of 1/2"-20 lug nuts at 1.38" long, but they were too short, so I bought some that are 2" long. That did the trick.

198552

Mat1asBEV&ICE

04-22-2024, 05:47 PM

Thank you for sharing the lug nut size! I was wondering what I would need.

Mike.Bray

04-22-2024, 06:30 PM

If you guys don't mind, can you please share with me?

Will you send the file to a metal 3D printer and then powder coat it?

If you want metal I have a very good source that can print a variety of materials, even aluminum.

I had this printed in aluminum for my steering wheel center cap. This is how it came from the printer.

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20240408142232medium.jpg

Mat1asBEV&ICE

04-22-2024, 07:17 PM

Mike, that would great if you don't mind sharing your source. I will send them the updated file that Greg puts together.

Also, are you using the FFR wood steering wheel?

gbranham

04-22-2024, 09:28 PM

I double-checked the prototypes I have, based on Mike's original step file, and I think the OD is good; the cap sits on the face of the wheel, and not in the first 'ledge' beyond the face. I remeasured where the o-ring groove needs to be, and it needs to be about 7.5mm-7.75mm 'inside' of the face of the wheel, if that makes sense. As it stands now, the prototype appears to have the groove starting at around 3.5mm, give or take. It may be a week or two before my friend gets me a 2nd prototype, but these are my revised adjustments I've conveyed to him.

More to come...

Greg

john42

04-23-2024, 06:49 AM

I got these on Amazon. Standard hole size. Clip right in. Wheels are FR500s. The hole size is standard thought right?

198563

gbranham

04-23-2024, 08:29 AM

I got these on Amazon. Standard hole size. Clip right in. Wheels are FR500s. The hole size is standard thought right?

198563

Can you post a link to the Amazon product? I'm curious to look at it. I tried several from Amazon, and none of them fit the 18" Halibrand. Don't know if the hole size is the same as the FR500.

john42

04-23-2024, 08:39 AM

Can you post a link to the Amazon product? I'm curious to look at it. I tried several from Amazon, and none of them fit the 18" Halibrand. Don't know if the hole size is the same as the FR500.

Interesting. Went though my amazon purchase history to find them and the original seller/model is gone. These are the same size however: https://www.amazon.com.au/FT-Styling-Mustang-Aluminum-Hubcaps/dp/B07PQBWP25

FR500 wheels have a 60mm center hub hole. I'd measure yours and see if it is the same. 54mm seems to be another popular size.

Railroad

04-23-2024, 03:09 PM

You didn't like the one I designed for you Greg?

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/wheelcentercap.jpg

PM sent

Mat1asBEV&ICE

11-18-2024, 04:20 PM

Hello gents. I wanted to circle back on this and see if Greg or Mike have a 3D file you wouldn't mind sharing. My car is off to body and paint so this would be a good time to get this done. Then PC to match the wheel color. Thank you!

gbranham

11-18-2024, 10:36 PM

I haven't done anything with this in months. I need to revisit it. Been focused on building my engine.

Mat1asBEV&ICE

11-19-2024, 09:01 AM

I haven't done anything with this in months. I need to revisit it. Been focused on building my engine.
That's fun! No worries on the file, I can wait for a Christmas surprise. :D

Mike.Bray

11-20-2024, 11:59 AM

Hello gents. I wanted to circle back on this and see if Greg or Mike have a 3D file you wouldn't mind sharing. My car is off to body and paint so this would be a good time to get this done. Then PC to match the wheel color. Thank you!

If you PM me your email address I can send you some files.