I've got a set of four 15x7 rallies (JJ code) that need some help. They are straight but have some chrome pitting and peeling. The outer lipped edges are good as well, with some minor scratches. They make good drivers the way they are, but I'd like to have them rechromed or have the outer rings replaced. Anyone know of a place than can rechrome them or replace the rings for less than what I'd expect to pay for some reproductions?
If your looking for a recommendation rather than a long list of venders, I have used Stockton Wheel in Calif with good results. While they do lots of things, what they are known for is separating the rally wheel centers and either re chroming your wheel outers or replacing them with new. Then they weld them back together. You will have to repaint the centers but that's easy. Since you have original and dated wheels you would want to have them refinish yours. Takes several weeks. www.stocktonwheel.com. As far as pricing, you will pay close to reproduction costs but they will be original weels. Call to check on pricing. Expect to pay a significant amount to ship the wheels. Its all about weight.
Yeah, I was sort of looking for some recommendations for some reputable places. I'd rather not hack up some dated wheels. Thanks for the link to stockon; I'll check them out.
Stockton Wheel doesnt hack up wheels. They have modern equipment that separates the centers from the outers then they go back together just like they were from the factory. There is no back room welding going on. Only a trained eye could tell they were separated. They do show car work. I have had two high end show cars with original factory dated wheels and they have done them both. I am picky and they were done right.
Well, they gave me a quote that was competitive with reproduction wheels, and the guy was quick to respond and was nice. Stockton sounds like a great place. But, the shipping costs would push things way north for me. I would like to have some show-worthy 15x7 wheels, but I don't need them to be concourse. The car I'm looking to fit them to is pre-15" rallies, anyhow, and will see more street than show. I may consider selling what I have and getting a show-worthy set of 14x6 wheels. I'm sure someone could make better use of the 15x7s. I'll post them in the FOR SALE section if I go that route. Again, thanks for the input.
There are reproduction wheels out there that are nice and may be cheaper route. And just some info on that JJ code. It is a useless code that should never be used to identify a wheel. Almost evey wheel I have ever seen has that JJ code. It is found on so many wheels it is not funny. Olds Chevy etc. The corrrect code whould be on the back lip of the wheel and will probaly be WE or something with a W.
Yes, from what I've read, the JJ refers to it being usable with disc brakes. All of my 15" wheels are WP wheels, which I believe indicate they were used as options on vehicles between 1973 and 1986. As for the date code, three of the wheels have a 6 underneath the M4 stamping, and one has a 7. The 6 is for the 1976 model year and the 7 for a 1977. At least, that's the information I've gathered from searching this site.
I beieve 71 used WM wheels but I have never been able to tell the difference from the WP's. I thought thw M4 meant 1974 and the 6 was fo June but I could be mixing that up and the 4 was the plant. I have Duanes book at home so shame on me if I got this wrong. Buick must have been really throwing cars out the door with these wheels around 1976 because almost everyone I find is built around then. I think 76 was the last year for them.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, as I don't really know this stuff for sure. I'd like to know what Duane's book says. Is there a link to that info somewhere?
