Wheel Widening - Weldcraft vs. Eric Vaughn

tomshep

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I am going to be widening a set of 20" OEM rear rims.

Eric Vaughn has a great reputation and I already spoke to him. He charges $400 (that includes freight) per rim to widen.

I am waiting to speak with Weldcraft.

Does anyone have any comments or info that would help decide between the two?

Thanks, Tom
 

HillbillyHotRod

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They both seem,good and a lot of people are happy with both. Difference is Eric does one weld where Weldcraft does two. Seems more likely to get a true wheel with a single weld.
 

Snoopy49

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If I remember correctly, Weldcraft cuts the rim into two pieces and then welds in a spacer, this requires 2 weld beads. Vaughn cuts the inside bead area off the wheel and then welds on a new inner rim section, this requires 1 weld bead.
The downside to Vaughn's method is that you loose any marking stamped in the section removed and in the case of a 13/14 rim, you loose the serrations on the inner wheel bead area. These serrations help prevent tire slippage on the rim.
 
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biminiLX

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I've had 6 wheels done by Weldcraft (now I believe $250/per for 18-20" widened 1-2") and bought NIB Alcoa done by Vaughn.
No brainer as Weldcraft 50 minutes from me, but while Vaughns welds/methods look nicer, no problem balancing either and have the wheels checked before tires go on.
-J
 

tomshep

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400 a wheel -i had no idea the cost --- I rather buy new wheels.

I agree with your comment UNLESS you want a factory rim that is wider. That is my goal. Run stock fronts with wider rears OEM rims.

Anyone else have any good/bad comments?

If it wasn't for the serrations on the inside bead, the unit from Vaughn is appealing. For the power I am running and not running sticky tires, I am thinking I don't need the serrations.

Tom
 

Snoopy49

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If it wasn't for the serrations on the inside bead, the unit from Vaughn is appealing. For the power I am running and not running sticky tires, I am thinking I don't need the serrations.

Tom

If you are not running 2013-14 OEM wheels, you won't have the serrations.
 

Catmonkey

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I'm happy with my Vaughn widened SVTPP wheels. I know he sometimes gets behind and has a longer turn around time. He uses the same hoops used in 3 piece wheels for the inner section. If the serrations were a big deal, I think you'd see more wheel manufacturers using them than just Ford. Just using a single bead would seem to have less run out issues than welding a strip in the middle of the wheels.

Granted the wheel is powdercoated, but here is an example of Vaughn's work.

Weldedrim.jpg~original.jpg
 

jd-hart

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I have used both, and didn't have an issue with either. Eric's looked cleaner when finished. If I was doing it again, I would use Eric.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
 

RLB01

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Had my 18" OEM back wheels widened 1.5" to 11" by Vaughn 8 years ago. Fit and finish is spot on with no issues yet.
 

biminiLX

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Big cost difference and less dependability with Vaughn, but I like they are both racers and have years with proven results.
Living an hour from Weldcraft makes my decision easier.
Interesting all these years I've only ever heard of these two guys in the wheel widening business.
-J
 

tomshep

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Big cost difference and less dependability with Vaughn, but I like they are both racers and have years with proven results.
-J

Please explain "less dependability with Vaughn".

I was going to use him based on feedback and I prefer one weld vs. two.

Tom
 

stkjock

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Please explain "less dependability with Vaughn".

I was going to use him based on feedback and I prefer one weld vs. two.

Tom
I think he's referring to his lead/turn around time being inconsistent
 

802gt500

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My aftermarket saleen replica 10.5x18 rims widened to 11.25 with weldcraft. The wheels balanced out better than stock with less weight. Nice clean work. NO complaints at all. Kinda cool when you look in the rim from the outside and see the welds. Had a shipping issue with fedex and weldcraft credited my shipping cost. Good guy, James I think his name is.
 

tomshep

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Exactly. I bought my Alcoas NIB from a guy local to Vaughn. He said 3x longer than quote, almost went to pick up due to waiting. Only experience I have.
-J

Aahhhh...understood. That isn't an issue. I am already running a set of rims so these are a project for the future.

Tom
 

biminiLX

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My aftermarket saleen replica 10.5x18 rims widened to 11.25 with weldcraft. The wheels balanced out better than stock with less weight. Nice clean work. NO complaints at all. Kinda cool when you look in the rim from the outside and see the welds. Had a shipping issue with fedex and weldcraft credited my shipping cost. Good guy, James I think his name is.
Correct James is the owner and he is a stand up guy.
-J
 

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