2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

Can someone please advise me where to get the parts I need to put these wheels on my truck?

I've got a 1978 chevy K20 ( 8 lug set-up ). Been running the stock steel wheels.

I just bought a set of 2004 aluminum alloy 8 lug wheels to put on. I want to hide the hubs under a bowtie center cap. My truck is full time 4X4, so I have the large front hubs.

My truck has the old style studs, American thread, I think 9/16"? Whatever came with the truck in 78. I need a lug nut with the external thread for the center caps to attach to. I also don't know what GM Bowtie center caps to look for. I saw a late 70's K20 truck a couple years ago, with the exact same wheels & bowtie center caps. So I know it can be done, but I don't know what caps to get.

Below is the exact same wheels I have, and the center caps I would LIKE to have. Just don't know if they make a center deep enough to clear my hubs.

Anyone have any experience with this, and care to share? Thank you.

Re: 2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

i have the same wheels on my 85 c20 i bought my lug nuts on line. took some some shoppin around but this is the cheapest i found

http://www.ezaccessory.com/GM_9_16_E..._p/98-0009.htm

i also had to cut the center of the hubcap out of the front two so they would fit over my hub, but my hub has chrome lock outs so it looks like it should be stock

Re: 2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

TC,

Thanks, for the info. I'll be buying those lug nuts, but I still have the problem of finding center caps that will cover those butt-ugly black hubs in the back.

They look ok (to me), when I'm using the steel wheels, but with these aluminum alloy's, that hub just clashes, and looks like crap.

I thought there would have been more activity on this issue by now. Oh well, I guess I'll keep looking.

Re: 2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

Are you wanting to cover the hubs under the caps? I had these same wheels on my 67 4x4, I just used a roto zip and cut out the hub caps on the front, couldnt tell they werent factory.

Re: 2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

You are talking about clearing the end of the axle on your back rear correct? If so I would think that the center cap you have pictured should work because late model trucks come with full floating axles like in your truck. Just my .02

Re: 2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

I would love to hide the front hub & rear axle caps under a bowtie cap. That, is my quest. Wish I knew how that guy had bowtie center caps on his K20. It was a late 70's-early 80's 4X4, 3/4 ton. I like that look.

I've had my stock steel wheels powder coated twice now. Don't last. They keep rusting. Sick & tired of wasting time trying to keep it clean. This is for my plow truck. It sits most of it's life outside, next to my barn. In the winter,
I plow snow, and park it right afterward's the wheels are packed with snow
( and salt, no doubt ). These aluminum alloy's should work out better for me.

I'm wondering what center caps ( with chevy bowtie ) will cover the front & rear hubs.

Re: 2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

The key to powder coating is preparation. I've had steel wheels P/C 8 years ago and still look great. Sandblasting is best for steel to ensure all paint/dirt/rust/grease is removed prior to P/C. With the salt used in your area, I suggest the alloy wheels won't look good after one season.

Re: 2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

You will have to cut the front cap, but the rears should clear. Any bets that you seen a guy that had a old D44 with Drive Flanges instead of Automatic hubs??? I used to own a truck with Drive Flanges. Trevor

Re: 2004 Alloy wheels on 1978 K20 HELP!!
 

Dan,

I had the wheels done professionally, at a business where they do industrial powder coating. They sandblasted everything. One year later, RUST!

Took them all off, broke them all down, had them re-blasted, re-coated. Same thing, 1 year later, RUST! I thought about blasting them a 3rd time, epoxy primer them, and single stage top coat with a hardner. At this point, I'm sick and tired of screwing around with them. The time, money, etc. Thought I'd give the alloy's a run.

Trevor,

You could be right about the drive flanges on that truck I saw. It was in a auto-trader magazine. Didn't see it in person. A dana44 front drive flange would be shorter ? Not that I'm going to change mine, just curious.

Those chevy bowtie center caps sure do look good.:)