MTFCA Forum

So I now have beautiful restored 21" wood wheel. I have the Kelsey split rim. Only 1 of the 4 has the locking hardware.

Is there an option out there to not have a split rim yet still use the same 21" felloe? If not I see they sell Tie Plate. Can I do something with that? What are my options here?

I'd really appreciate some advice on this one since I worked hard on my wheels.

Thanks, Darren

The Canadian split rims used a clip similar to a T door hinge. The two halves on each side of the split wer held in check by a pin just like a hinge pin. Thes would be a relatively easy fix using a vouple of discarded hinges.
Jut beware that the joint in the hinge pieces needs to be off set from the line of the split.

Allan from down under.

There is a guy in Fla making new 21” split rims as well as 30x3.5 clincher rims.
https://www.indazamerica.com/post/great ... incher-rim

Frankly with all the work you have done on the wheels, I would look for better rims. Those are pretty pitted.

Mark Gregush wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 18, 2026 11:47 pm

Frankly with all the work you have done on the wheels, I would look for better rims. Those are pretty pitted.

I agree with Mark, but that depends on your budget. new rims are very pricey and good un-pitted or minimally pitted rims can usually bring $100 a piece. If you do use your rims and all the locking hardware is missing both Snyder's and lang's sell the locking tab and Lang's sells the locking screw. If your rims are not the type that used the tab and screw, you could convert them by using the available tab. If your rims don't have the threaded boss for the locking screw, you could drill a hole in the rim to line up with the hole in the tab and weld or braze what is called an "elevator screw" to the inside of the rim and fasten to the tab with a nut. Not authentic, but would do in a pinch. Elevator screws have a very thin, flat head that doesn't protrude and are used to fasten objects to conveyor belts.

There is no other rim option for 21's unless you go with wire wheels, but that defeats the work already done on your wood wheels.

The pitting shown in the provided picture wont show when mounted, its quite typical. I don't see a reason to not repair what you have.
Of course, they will need prettying. If actually pitted in areas that show, powder coating will mute. Block sanding & a second powder coat will mute further. Aluminum type Bondo (aluma-lead) can also be used as filler before powder coating or painting. Do scuff the inside where the tire bead sits to prevent tire slippage.

Replacing the hinge type locks is doable as suggested.
Converting to the other style with the strap & screw is a good option. Look @ the design of that original style. You will notice the treatment for the threaded screw hole. Line up the large strap hole. Drill a small hole about 1/4" centered. From the inside, a taper punch is used to shape the hole like a volcano to the proper size to cut a thread to match the screw. This makes a raised area for the tab to sit over & makes for thicker material for more thread.
I have read here that not having a functioning lock ain't the end of the world. As long as you can get the ends to butt, The rim can be installed on the wheel, then finish inflated. When mounted it ain't going anywhere.

You have done such a nice job on the wheels. There is much satisfaction to be had restoring the rims also.

Good used 21” split rims can sometimes be found at Swap Meets and if you find some you had better buy them if the price is fairly reasonable. If they are pretty good and not pitted badly they will bought up pretty quick! That’s a T part that’s real desirable to find. I walked away for some a few years ago and the next time around they were gone!
That’s one of the few meets I went to that had some. The rest of the meets over the years didn’t see any at all.

Dan posted the above info of the Florida fella - he shows new 21" split rims for Fords !

When looking at swap meet offerings, the area of most concern is at the split. The ends of the split can be reworked to tidy them up, but at the split many of the rims will be rusted where water gets in and hangs about. You need to watch that they are not rusted thin next to the side flange. It is not uncommon for them to blow out at the sides when the tyres are inflated.

Allan from down under.

I did not see split rims on that Florida website. only clinchers. Did I miss something?

My understanding is the 21” rims are split rims. I will look at the paper work I got. Dan
UPDATE!!!
The paper work I got says 21” SPLIT RIM.
So you should contact him about rims.