Pretty cool idea, and painting them black looks good

 

I think there is a slight gap between the wheel and axle, not sure though. The can is pretty thin, so I don't think it would make a noticible difference if it was. I wonder how the center caps that they make are held in....

 

I don't know about the wheel you pictured, but I have seen some where the cap has a flange which is captured under "fake" lugnuts, on top of the real lugnuts. I was just working with a set of this kind the other day.

 

Excellent cheap mod!!

Red

 

Can you post what issues you foresee or your main concern?

 

Usually, the clearance between the little round flange on the axle and the hole in the wheel is small, to the point even a little corrosion will make wheel removal difficult. Also, it looks like the tabs will be "underneath" the wheel, keeping the wheel from seating fully against the flat flange.
I don't know if any of this really happens. I just brought it up for an awareness thing. Something to look at.
Wheels are not actually stationary when mounted. They flex and squirm around a little with each revolution. Anything caught between the wheel and its mounting surface can only be detrimental.

 

Looks good, I guess I haven't priced out Sterno in a while, is 5 cans of sterno cheaper than the center caps?

My center caps (On my CJ and Suburban) are held in with just a small lip like the end of the sterno can you cut off. I doubt with that little bit of metal on there that you'll have any issues.

Brian

 

taquito971, a can of sterno costs under $2 at WalMart, while I think the center caps cost a decent amount more, like $15ish.

jeepginn, we didn't have stock steelies to re-use, but yours look good!

 

you could just cut the cans to be shorter and it should work the way you want

 

that's the best post I've seen in a week! I HATE my flimsy plastic peeling crap-ass caps that came from American Racing. Thanks for the post!