Nic

I've pretty much made up my mind to buy some alloys to replace my steel rims. Thanks to the fellas here, I now know that I can only use alloy specific lug nuts and not the ones on my steel rims.

However, I just now realized that the caps that come with the alloy wheels I want to purchase may present a dilemna since I have manual hubs. I want to get a set of these:



I previously assumed the center cap could be left off the fron two wheels with manual hubs, which I know they can, but I just now realized they might not look right. How will these work with manual hubs? Anyone know? Will I have to punch a hole in the center cap or what?

Center cap in question:

Fink

I'm pretty sure you're gonna have to leave the hubs open...becuase if you think about it, if you put a cover over them you'd have no way to engage/disengage the hubs.

Unless I misunderstood your post it sounds like you'll just have to live with the "raw" look of the hubs sticking out.

Fink

TechWrench

You might want to get a second set of center hub covers (2), and experiment with cutting the center of them out to see if they will work with the manual hubs. Two things you will have to consider, the diameter of the manual hubs, and how far they extend out. You also might want to see if Toyota made a center hub for those wheels specifically for manual hub applications.

Nic

The set I was wanting to buy comes with four caps. So, I could definitely do that if I buy them. But if its going to look crappy or possibly not even work I will hold off on the purchase.

I'll just stick with the steel wheels for now until I can get some definite answers.

Hopefull someone has a set of these with manual hubs and can tell me if they will work or not.

Thanks.

Nitro Hotpants

ive seen these wheels before with manual hubs and they look just fine, doesnt look bad at all. get the wheels, you wont regret it.

Nic

I found a short thread on another site last night that talks of this very thing. One person said that the center cap can be modified for manual hubs by cutting out the center.

I also saw these for sale on eBay. It appears that someone has done that for this one. It appears that they cut out the circle around the Toyota symbol. I can do that as long as I'm careful not to screw it up. It would be nice if Toyota made a cap I could purchase already like that:

Fink

Ya know you could just paint the actual hub itself a metallic silver color and save yourself all the hassle of trying to find center caps and then trying to cut out the center...the hubs look really awesome once cleaned and painted well. I would just buy whatever wheels you want and then figure out what to do with the hubs...the wheels are going to attract more attention than the hubs are anyway.

Just my $.02 as always,

Fink

boogyman

that looks sweet!

-Russell

Nic

Well Chris, I think you're right. Actually, my hubs look rather nice. My existing steel wheels has a cap that hides them except for the end. I may just forget about the center cap alteration.

If it looks funny though, cutting out the center cap should not be that hard.

Fink

Sounds good to me man!

Let us know how it goes,

Fink

Wes Whitmore

I have some replacement center caps that look like the solid caps, but have holes in them for manual locking hubs. I got them a couple of years ago when i had an early 90s 4x4. I wonder if they would fit. As far as I know, they are just like the ones you show above, but have a hole in them. They are a stock toyota part.
Wes

Nic

Hmmm, OK. That would be great if they did. I don't see why Toyota wouldn't make the part.

The set I REALLY wanted just sold on eBay today. Obviously the guy who wanted them had more money to spend than I did. I cost him almost $200.00 more though by running up the bid before I gave up.

I was sad, but I bet the seller is happy.

PirateFins

I got the same rims on my 92 truck. I found a set of the center caps at the dealer with the hole for the manual hubs in them. They fit tight around the hub but look good. I think they were from the 15" alloys from 91-94. But yes they fit and look nice.

Nic

Good. Now, if I can only find a decent set of wheels without having to pay an arm and a leg.

Thanks

superjoe83

Im not sure if this was mentioned, but toyota makes factory caps with the hole in them for hubs, my '99 came with them from the factory

Nic

Hey thanks. It was mentioned up above, but I'm glad you posted because that confirms it. I'm still looking around for a set. I'm sure I will find some reasonably priced on eBay eventually.

Right now, replacing the center support (hanger) bearing on my truck is the priority. I was thinking my current tires or rims were causing a wobble at 60-70mph, but I think the bearing is the problem. If it ain't one thing, it's another.