Moparts

Repop 15 x 7 Rallys

Posted By: Hrtbkr

Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/13/23 05:26 AM

Hi
Is anyone running US Wheel repops? Have you had any issues?
I'm in need of a couple of 15 x 7 Rallys for my new project.
People were asking breathtaking prices for factory originals at the last swap, I think aftermarket is the way to go.
Thanks
Posted By: Sunroofcuda

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/13/23 09:54 PM

That right there should tell you why good OEM ones are going for so much. It'll be interesting to hear some replies here with stories of the reproductions.
Posted By: 71birdJ68

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/14/23 12:22 AM

I think mine might be US Wheel, I hate them, they don't sit flush with the hub, so I have to pull it down with the lug nut. I think maybe all of the china wheel have some sort of issue.
Posted By: Neil

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/14/23 01:38 AM

Back when we had a Mopar club several guys had Wheel Vintiques wheels on their cars. You could tell what they were by the battleship solid gray color they come in as it's not quite right. I think those are ok quality?

Before you mount a tire to a repo steel wheel you want to have them spun on the balancer to make sure they are within spec. Many places won't take them back if you put the tires on first.

Might also want to see how the trim rings fit also. Some aftermarket wheel and trim ring combos leave a gap at the wheel face.
Posted By: bee1971

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/14/23 02:32 AM

Yes on the Wheel Vintiques back in the day - Having to scuff perfectly good powder coating so you could spray the proper Silver Argent
Posted By: 6PKRTSE

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/14/23 02:18 PM

Mine are well over 25 years old sprayed in the proper silver and over 55,0000 miles with no issues ever.
Posted By: topside

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/14/23 02:53 PM

Since the late '80s, I've bought maybe a dozen sets of repro Mopar wheels - Rallyes & Magnums - for my A & B bodies.
Never had a runout, straightness, or balance issue until a few years ago, which happened to be some Magnums from Coker after they bought Wheel Vintiques & Specialty.
One of the 4 was visibly wobbly, and after proving so with a readout from my tire shop, they replaced it.
I always thought there's be a fixture so the spider is "square" with the barrel when welded, but apparently not, or it wasn't checked.
I asked them about QC and the guy at Coker said they don't check dimensional quality.
Last set I bought came from Holley via Ebay - straight, radial runout was about .060 on a couple, but they balanced and have driven fine.
Bottom line: check them before mounting tires.
Posted By: moparx

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/14/23 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by 71birdJ68
I think mine might be US Wheel, I hate them, they don't sit flush with the hub, so I have to pull it down with the lug nut. I think maybe all of the china wheel have some sort of issue.





unfortunately, cranking them flush to the mounting surface can cause some "fun" when removing them if the center bore diameter is too small, causing a light press fit.
i have seen this happen on factory wheels that had too much powder coat applied. after lots of "words not to be said around women and children" being used, beating on the back side of the wheel/tire with a sledge, then finally loosening the lugnuts a couple turns and slowly driving in a circle while slamming on the brakes several times, the wheel finally popped loose from the hub.
if the center bore of the wheel does not allow it to fit flush to the hub mounting surface, it has to be opened up the smallest amount necessary for it to do so. if that means the removal of powder coat, chrome, or just wheel material, so be it.
just my opinion. your mileage will vary.
beer
Posted By: 340SIX

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/15/23 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by bee1971
Yes on the Wheel Vintiques back in the day - Having to scuff perfectly good powder coating so you could spray the proper Silver Argent

I kinda have a small wheel collection here.
Quite a,few sets of 15x7 and 15x8.Wheel Vintques here. A,quick scuff prime and paint was all they needed. Checked runout and balanced all were good to go. Were good as factory 15x6.5 and 15x7 rallies to me.
Only downside on 15x8 was trim rings gap, but need 8 inch wide for large Drag Radials

Also have factory 15x6.5, 15x7 and a pair of 15x8 Ram Charger Wheels tanks You-Pull-It.
I did not want to trust new China wheels.

Like posted above the new Repops are hit and miss
My wife lets me sell nothing. Says we may need them one day.

I would get older Wheel Vintques or factory and pay the extra
Posted By: mopars4ever

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/15/23 06:44 PM

Wheel Vintiques on my Charger years ago and they were fine. I can`t say for the new stuff out there.
Posted By: Hrtbkr

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/23/23 05:02 AM

I ended up buying a couple of Wheel Vintiques.
I had them spun and they were no better (or worse) than the OEM pair I'm also using.
I'm goin to have to paint them to match the other wheels, so the finish doesn't matter.
Thanks for all the advice
Posted By: moparx

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/23/23 07:55 PM

i'm curious if anyone has spun original wheels, then the reproductions, and checked how balanced they are ?
beer
Posted By: SNK-EYZ

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/23/23 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by moparx
i'm curious if anyone has spun original wheels, then the reproductions, and checked how balanced they are ?
beer


I spun the repops and pair of original wheels for the original poster and the wheels had the same amount of runout. About.030-.050 (thousandths) on both the repops and original wheels.
Posted By: RSI700VIPER

Re: Repop 15 x 7 Rallys - 06/25/23 02:19 AM

Bought a set of US wheels 15x7s about 2 years ago. They looked great but the welds on the back were terrible. About 30-40 percent missed the intended location joining the hub to the rim. I sent them back and bought a set of originals.
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