Here is what I found out so far. I tried wheels america but couldnt get hooked up. Then I tried an outfit in MD. called Ye Ole wheel shop. Their method requires two wheels to make one. They cut the inner lip off one and the lip and the width to be added from the other and weld the two together. The donor wheel would only need the inside half to be good. They charge $250 per wheel not includeing the cost of the second wheel, refinishing or shipping. If you cant come up with a second wheel they said they probly could but did not quote a price for the extra wheel. Also they do not guarentee perfect runout on the wheel and do not machine them after they are welded saying it could weaken the wheel and cause thin spots. They do not recomend powder coating the wheel as the 400+ degree temp could cause the wheel to go out of round or cause some sort of metalurgical change. Then I called Vaugn Machine in Monrovia Ca. I spoke with eric. They dont need a second wheel to do the widening. I liked the way he explained how the proceedure went and he said when its done the wheel runs out perfect. He also doesnt advise powdercoating. They charge $300 per wheel not including shipping or any refinishing. I think that still sounds like a good deal considering the skill and special tools needed to do the job He said most of the time the process doesnt hurt the outer finish at all. He says paint or polish the wheel. I think that is a good idea as powdercoating estimates so far have been 75-$100 per wheel. I painted some wire wheels a long time ago with automotive enamel with a gloss hardener and they came out great. Im sure the stock wheels are clearcoat over a base coat. So Im guessing materials to paint all four wheels a different color can be had for $100-$150 maybe less depending on the type of paint. I didnt want to ship so far away, but unless there is some one closer with Vaughn Machines experience, it sounds like thats the way to go. He also said the width that he can widen depends on the taper of the inner "barrel". I think sean said his were 12" wide so 11-11.5" should pose no problem. Stay tuned for chapter 2

 

Good luck, I too wanted the stock look of OEM polished but 12" wide in the rear. I managed to get my HREs for $350 each over my final cost of widening/shipping, etc.

 

I would definately go that route if I was going to change all four wheels, but since I only want to widen the rears I thought it would be more economical for now. So far I figure with freight and paint It will be about $ 375-$425 per rear wheel. I am only going to repaint the fronts. Tires are up in the air for now, there is such a large selection. The Kumhos look good as do the bfg's. Ill decide after I get the wheels done. oh and the spacer adapters add another $100 for a pair of those. Getting close to $500 a wheel. It sounds like a lot but compared to custom wheels of equal width & size its still a good deal.

 

My wheels are 18 x 12.5. If I had it to do over, I would go with 18 x 12. They were made, polished, and clear coated by Vaughn Machine Shop. There are no run out issues that I can see and they took no more weight to balance than other wheels that I have had. I have been really pleased with them so far. They used OEM forged 5-spokes and HRE spun aluminum inner barrels to make them. You can see the weld, but I think they still look PHAT. I get a lot of compliments on them and the HUGE 345 BFG DR's I have on them.

 

Plus at the track I am pulling 60' times of slicks! With my street tires still 1.75 60' with 345/35/18s