Source for Trim Rings for Refinished 14" X 5.5" Road Wheels?

[Q5BIRD]

The previous ownerof our '69 RR had replaced the original set of 14” X 5.5” roadwheels during its last restoration, but passed them on to us when wepurchased the car. They were rusty, but the chrome was in good shape,so we repainted them and are now looking for trim rings to fit.


I know that the 1969 14” trim ring (2944161)is nearly impossible to find (or impossibly expensive). Since the1970-74 14” trim ring (2944424),is different anyway from the '69 (does not have the lip on the insideedge), I had planned to just get some shiny, new ones aftermarket asclose as possible to the original finish. I have found two sources of14” X 6” brushed trim rings, but neither company can confirmwhether they will fit the OEM 14” X 5.5” wheel.


http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/parts/mw925.html


http://www.specialtywheel.com/bubble-pack-closed-hole-trim-ring-14x6.html


Has anyone out thereused either of these on the 5.5” wheel? Is there another source fora 14” brushed finish trim ring? Any help is appreciated.


Here are a fewphotos if anyone is interested in the process.




Masked chrome with gorilla tape before sandblasting.



After sandblasting. We removed the gorilla tape and used regular mask to get a better edge before applying Eastwood Epoxy black primer and 2K Ceramic chassis black satin.



Finished product.

 

['73bird]

The previous ownerof our '69 RR had replaced the original set of 14” X 5.5” roadwheels during its last restoration, but passed them on to us when wepurchased the car. They were rusty, but the chrome was in good shape,so we repainted them and are now looking for trim rings to fit.


I know that the 1969 14” trim ring (2944161)is nearly impossible to find (or impossibly expensive). Since the1970-74 14” trim ring (2944424),is different anyway from the '69 (does not have the lip on the insideedge), I had planned to just get some shiny, new ones aftermarket asclose as possible to the original finish. I have found two sources of14” X 6” brushed trim rings, but neither company can confirmwhether they will fit the OEM 14” X 5.5” wheel.


http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/parts/mw925.html


http://www.specialtywheel.com/bubble-pack-closed-hole-trim-ring-14x6.html


Has anyone out thereused either of these on the 5.5” wheel? Is there another source fora 14” brushed finish trim ring? Any help is appreciated.


Here are a fewphotos if anyone is interested in the process.


View attachment 317592

Masked chrome with gorilla tape before sandblasting.

View attachment 317593

After sandblasting. We removed the gorilla tape and used regular mask to get a better edge before applying Eastwood Epoxy black primer and 2K Ceramic chassis black satin.

View attachment 317594

Finished product.

Was the red on those from the factory?

 

[Q5BIRD]

Here's an update on my search. I've contacted all of the aftermarket wheel sources that I'm aware of, and none of them sell a MOPAR trim ring that fits the 14X5.5" wheel. The problem appears that the rings were designed to fit a 6" wheel, and on the 5.5" wheel they will not sit down against the wheel rim, but stick out almost 1/2". Many of them sell "universal" trim rings, but the ones I've seen completely change the look: too narrow (1.5-2"), polished, with an open valve stem hole (as opposed to the OEM: 2.25" wide, brushed, closed valve stem hole). As of now, I'm on the hunt for some driver quality OEM rings so I can get the refinished wheels on the car.

I found a photo online which illustrates the problem:

The ring on the left is a 14" OEM ring (w/o lip), the one on the right was stated to be a MOPAR reproduction ring. Notice that the retention clips on the repro ring are longer, and sit deeper into the wheel (1/4"), which fits the 6" wheel fine, but prevents the ring from setting down on the rim on the 5.5" wheel. The design of the aftermarket rings all appear to be the same, based on the parts that I've measured, and the measurements taken by the dealer reps I've talked to. I've confirmed that the clips on an OEM ring measure 1 1/4"from the rim.

I've contacted the following companies, and these were the results:
Classic Industries: sent a sample. clips measured 1 1/2" below rim.
http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/parts/mw925.html
Coker Tire/Specialty Wheel: Coker acquired Specialty Wheel and now sell the same part. They told me that they also supply the trim ring to Classic industries so there was no need for a sample. http://www.specialtywheel.com/bubble-pack-closed-hole-trim-ring-14x6.html
Wheel Vintiques: They told me that their trim ring does not fit the 5.5" wheel.
http://www.wheelvintiques.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=trim+rings
Stockton Wheel: They supply a universal trim ring. http://www.stocktonwheel.com/accessories.html
Layson's: They were nice enough to measure their trim ring, and it also measures 1 1/2" from the rim to the clips, same as the others.
http://www.laysons.com/Catalog.cfm?nCatID=300&nModelID=17&nModelYear=1969
U.S. Wheel: They only sell universal trim rings. http://www.uswheel.com/collections/accessories/products/trim-ring-1-5-smooth

If anyone knows of another source, please let me know. Otherwise, I'll be hitting the swap meets.

 

[YY1]

Can you carefully cut the inner lip of the later style ring, perhaps have a shop with precision circular machining equipment do it?...or is the conical angle different?

I'd love to find OE style rings for 15x6.5

x6 looks funny and x7 doesn't fit.

Hens teeth/haystack needles.

I saw some a few years ago- $1000. No thanks.

 

[Q5BIRD]

Can you carefully cut the inner lip of the later style ring, perhaps have a shop with precision circular machining equipment do it?...or is the conical angle different?

I'd love to find OE style rings for 15x6.5

x6 looks funny and x7 doesn't fit.

Hens teeth/haystack needles.

I saw some a few years ago- $1000. No thanks.

I see that you have the same issue as I do. Apparently the OEM trim ring was designed to fit the 15"X 6.5" wheel, but also was used on the 7" wheel. Now MOPAR and the aftermarket have standardized on the 15"X 7" ring. So you will also have to find a set of OE trim rings if you want the correct look.
When I had a sample of the 14"X6" trim ring, I could see that the profile of the ring fit the wheel OK if you forced the ring down into the wheel. But at that point, the clips are bottoming out in a radius and being bent toward the center. As soon as you let it go, the spring clips pop it back out.
Trying to modify the retaining ring I suspect would be difficult as it appears to be spring steel. It might be possible, but reforming those tabs would be tough, and I think the cost would be excessive.
I believe that there are more hens teeth to be found than '69 14" trim rings. But the OE "lipless" 14" trim rings were produced at least from '70-'74 so I'm optimistic that I can find a usable set.
It's surprising to me that with all of the 14" X 5.5" wheels produced over the years (that includes road and rallye wheels), and the fact that the trim rings always get damaged, that the aftermarket only sells trim to fit the 14" X 6" wheel. Is everyone upsizing their tires and wheels, or is there a business opportunity here for someone...

 

[69SportSatellite]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-BODY-1969...ash=item1eb2bf2e27:g:iTEAAOSwGIRXYE7Q&vxp=mtr

Hope you don't ever need the 14 x 6's - Ebay for a used set $5,100??????

 

[YY1]

I always wondered why Mopar seemed to go out of their way to make narrower wheels than the other guys.

my 6.5 wide wheels were on 75 and up Chargers, etc

That's late in the game and well after the 15x7s that started in 70.

I'm not even sure you could pay extra for that 1/2 inch in those years, but how silly would that be?

 

[Q5BIRD]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-BODY-1969-PLYMOUTH-ROADRUNNER-HEMI-ORIG-14X6-RALLY-BRUSHED-TRIM-BEAUTY-RINGS-/131847892519?fits=Year:1969|Makelymouth|Model:Satellite&hash=item1eb2bf2e27:g:iTEAAOSwGIRXYE7Q&vxp=mtr

Hope you don't ever need the 14 x 6's - Ebay for a used set $5,100??????

Unfortunately, those are exactly the parts I need and why I'm looking for a close alternative. The trim rings he's selling are indeed the correct '69 14" trim rings, but they were not used on the Hemi cars in 1969. Hemi cars came with 15" stamped steel wheels in '69, and only received 14" X 6" road wheels in 1970, but with a different trim ring. In '69, only a 14"X 5.5" road wheel was available and it came with that unique trim ring(i.e. my car). But they could not be ordered on the 440/6BBl and Hemi Road Runners. I can believe that they came off a Hemi car, but actually were a set of 14X5.5" wheels taken from another '69 car or ordered through the dealer. If that's not TMI, the restoration guide explains it all:
https://books.google.com/books?id=0...hWLz4MKHap3ATgQ6AEI2QEwHw#v=onepage&q&f=false

Thanks for your interest.

 

[resq302]

they seem a bit too bright or polished where the brushed area is supposed to be.