Modification of Number Series LoBoy rear rims for FCub use

[staninlowerAL]

I have spare Number LoBoy cub rear rims that I would like to reverse (flip) the centers to position the bolts more toward the center of the rims for another project. It looks like the centers have a single rivet in each of the 4 attachment points and I cannot see any welding for attachment. I'm wondering if these rivets could be removed and flip the centers then reattach them in the same holes. Looks like this would position the bolts more toward the center of the rim. Anyone done this before or have any success with removing the centers without damaging any of the parts? Any suggestions welcomed. Thanks, Stan.

[Matt Kirsch]

Should be able to grind off the rivet heads and drive them out with a punch. If you're careful in grinding you won't hurt anything.

Maybe drilling them out would be safer but it is a challenge to get the body of the rivet centered up on the drill when you can't see it.

[ntrenn]

My solution was to flip them around and build spacers out of failed wheel bearings. Fwiw ford ranger bolt pattern is the same as the cub. My first spacer started with a bent ranger axle as a donor.

[SamsFarm]

Do they really need modified?

I have saw numrous pictures of the big balony number series tires on a regular cub!

They are usually wide track between the tires!

[staninlowerAL]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've got one tire off the rim and there is no obvious rivet heads on the inside. I intend to clean the attaching points down to bare metal and see if there is anything that shows up. This is a project to use what parts I have on hand (read that as don't spend money on something that has a workable, reasonable substitute). Sometimes I win, sometimes it doesn't work but you never know until you try.

[BigBill]

I used the 154 8.3x24 ag tires to dual up the fcub it’s on yesterday’s tractor photos under Bigbill search for bigbill

http://www.tractorshed.com/cgi-bin/gall ... os&cc=5&s=

Here’s the 29”-1250-15” tru power tires on my 70/8hp cc.

http://www.tractorshed.com/cgi-bin/gall ... os&cc=0&s=

My plan is to mount four 11.2x24 ag’s on 10” wide by 24” farmall rims mounted with fcub rim centers on my adapters on my Jeep tractor. Swamp buggy setup. My Jeep tractor needs more ground clearance.

[staninlowerAL]

Been a couple weeks since this was posted and wanted to offer another question about removing the rivets. I'm considering removing any excess metal on both sides of the rim (looks like that's confined to the exterior) then drill a hole as near as possible to center, then using a metal cutting saw blade, cut from the edge of this hole to the approximate edge of the rivet in two places, then try to drive the small gap piece of the rivet out with a hammer and punch. If this works, it should eliminate the need to be centered when drilling out the rivet. In theory, I could then cut the rivet into small sections and drive them out. If it doesn't work, repair/restoration of the rim to its original condition would not be too difficult. Any ideas? BTW the purpose of this project is to use the spare rims that I have on hand in lieu of buying new ones at $225 each + shipping.

[ntrenn]

The whole idea of a river is that the body swells to fill the thru hole when you upset it. You can spend your time drilling and punching out the slugs, or...find a friend with an air chisel and drive them out with that after you grind off one of the heads. Learned that way after I ground and drilled a set of dodge ball joints...

[outdoors4evr]

Maybe I am just a bit confused... If you are building custom spacers, why not make them 5" instead of 3" and just save the hassle of turning around the dish. Other options may include trading these rims & centers for FCub rims and centers.