In a message dated 11/11/99 10:41:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Wolfvan88@AOL.COM writes:

<< The center of the rim has a lip (the thickness of the
 metal) where the center hole is formed.  This lip stiffens the rim to keep it
 from flexing, without it will crack and fail, that is why he would not touch
 the rim.  He learned from his racing past, that it will fail.
  >>

hmmmmm....i dont seem to recall a "lip" being on the vanagon steel wheels.....
 The wheel is held to the stub axle by the area surrounding the lug
nuts/bolts.  not the center.  as long as you leave enough metal (and the
application we are talking about, will - the amount being machined off aint
much at all) between the lug holes and center hub hole, there wont be a
problem of stress on the wheel. take the '70 down Bus, and '67 down type 1's.
  that's one helluva big hole in the middle of the wheel, right?

chris