Project Baja Expedition: Weld Racing's Sidewinder Wheels

Jul. 01, 2001 By Mr. Dune

Weld Racing Wheels
Super Single Sidewinder

By: Mr. Dune


Main Page

Project
Sponsors

Part One:
Project Overview

Part Two:
Suspension, Wheels and Tires

Part Three:
Gearing/Engine
Performance

Part Four:
Exterior Upgrades

Part Five:
(August 2001)
Interior Upgrades

Part Six:
(Sept. 2001)
Wrapping It Up!


Special
Feature
Articles:

Fabtech
Motorsports Fiberglass Fenders

RCDSuspension 5" Lift

BF Goodrich
Baja T/A

Weld Racing
Sidewinder Wheels

Gibson Exhaust
Headers and "Cat-Back"


Tech Questions:
Email Performance Products Techline


   I've owned wheels from all the major manufacturers over the years. From Jackman's white spokes of the 1970's that would rust out in a week to hand machined alloys from custom hot rod houses, to exotic Italian Gran Touring wheels that carry price tags too embarrassing to repeat.

Classic good looks are what makes a wheel style endure time. The Sidewinder from Weld has what it takes to look as good in ten years as it does today.

   In this odyssey I've learned three things:
  • Less is more.

  • Classic styles last and look good forever.

  • Price and quality do not rise proportionately.

   Most of us buy wheels for their appearance. But, a set of wheels is an investment, not as many think, a fashion accessory. A case in point is the Crager SS. When I acquire a new project muscle car, the first stop is a set of SS's. This wheel has with stood the test of time, looks great on any piece of 60's-70's American iron, and adds to the car's curb appeal and resale value.

   Thousands of wheel designs have come and gone. Few have endured and those that have can be counted on your fingers. Weld Racing builds several of them. And when it comes to truck wheels has only Alcoa with their very narrow product line geared mainly to tractor/trailers and commercial trucks as a partial competitor. Only Weld Racing offers as many styles in as many size/fitment combinations for light trucks and SUVs.

   The new Weld Sidewinder, like their Typhoon, Super Single and Outback wheels before it, is a wheel that will be a timeless classic. Your truck will look as good in ten years as it does today. Unlike with many of today's "'styles de jour" that will make a truck look dated in few years. Even before it's body style is replaced with a new look.

   No story is complete without a side by side comparison of to show the befores and afters. The new wheels from Weld totally out class the stock wheels.

   Clean, simple, functional and strong lines, easy to keep clean and with a flawless highly polished finish, these are great looking wheels. But there is more to a wheel than looks...

Two Piece Forged Construction:

   All Weld Racing light truck wheels are cold forged, then CNC machined and polished. Two piece wheels like the Sidewinder have the center section precision trued and welded to the rim section before final polishing.

   This produces the strongest and lightest alloy wheel on the market. Our wheel in the 17x10 size with 5x135 bolt pattern and 4 5/8" back spacing has a weight rating of 2800lbs, more than double what any expected real world load would be. The decreased wheel weight of this design also lowers unsprung weight and rotational mass. Improving handling, braking performance and overall vehicle drivability.

   Weld Wheels, while not inexpensive, are far from costly. Sure you can get a cheap knock off cast aluminum wheel for about half the cost of a Weld. And give up the inherit strength, flexibility and repairability of a forged wheel for a piece of brittle cast metal crap that is prone to cracking and/or shattering under severe loads. You can also spend as much as four or five times the cost of a set of Welds, and not get a better wheel, just an emptier wallet.

   With over 25 years in the business and 15 years racing experience Greg Weld a former champion sprint car driver, has over 100 victories to his credit. This love of racing is what brought him to the industry and keeps the entire Weld family involved. It takes real world world experience to learn what works and what doesn't. Weld is involved in NASCAR, NHRA, Winston Cup, Midget, Sprint, Dirt Track and other venues. In fact many NASCAR teams are now switching to Welds new Magnum Super Speedway wheels because of their advanced technical superiority.

   This isn't my first experience with Weld Wheels. My first set were Super Singles, purchased in 1990 for an F250 4x4 that I used to tow almost exclusively. After eight years and 125,000 miles when I sold it, the man that bought it saw the Welds and commented it was one of the reasons he wanted the truck, "It's set up right," he said.

   The F350 I replaced it with got a set of Weld Typhoons installed before I drove it home. When it works, you stick with it.

   How do we rate them?

   On the famous scale of 1-10, a perfect 10. You won't find a better wheel. Period.

   If you are looking for a new set of wheels, Welds are it. If you are looking for different sizes or styles, be sure to check out the full Weld Racing Wheel line up. Just follow the link below!

 


For info on the full Weld product line:


www.weldracing.com

Weld Wheel Industries Inc.
933 Mulberry St.
Kansas City, MO 64101

(800) 488-9353

To purchase Weld Products:



www.performanceproducts.com

Performance Products
8000 Haskell
Van Nuys, CA 91406

Toll Free: (800) 752-6268


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