Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I am going to use some 2500 HD aluminum wheels on my C20 camper special. I thought I had this all figured out but I ran into an issue. My rear axle protrudes out to far to allow the use of the shallow factory center caps so I obtained two dually deep style center caps. Now the problem is that the dually caps are to big around at the base to mate up with the rim properly. in other words the cap doesn't quite reach the lug nuts so I cant anchor it. What do I need to do? is there another cap that I need to be looking for? Should I be looking at cutting down the caps? Longer wheel studs??? Please help.

Here are a few pictures to help clarify things.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I have those wheels on my 68'.I had no problems with the way they fit.Don't know if the rear end in the later trucks is different where the cap mounts and would cause interference or not. I will look at mine a little closer tomorrow.Attachment 1490114

Attachment 1490115

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I don't have any issues with the rear end clearance because I am using the dually caps which are deep enough. The issue is that the cap seems to big around to fit into the wheel properly. The diameter of the dually cap is about a 1/4" bigger than the standard shallow cap? I have the shallow caps installed on the front and they work fine.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

May be the difference from a full floating Eaton and a Dana 60?

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

Perhaps I should simplify things further. The caps will not fit into the wheel properly even if I don't have them mounted on the truck. I am thinking there must be another cap available.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I can't speak for why your caps won't fit off the truck, but like everyone else said, it is because you have a Dana 60 rear, right?
My truck below had a factory Dana 60 rear and the center caps would not fit. The FF hub sticks out further on the 60 than on the Eaton. I swapped a late model 14 bolt in mine and everything went together.
Hope this helps.
And those center caps aren't held on too secure with those cheap plastic lug nuts in my opinion!

Barnfind- Nice truck!!! I like it!!!

BBB

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I do have the Dana 60.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

That's the reason the caps won't fit depth wise, you have a Dana 60.
I suspect that the reason the dually caps won't fit, is because the dually wheels are entirely different and must have a greater dish around the lug nuts.

Your truck appears to also be factory rear leaf springs, just like mine.
What is yours geared? Mine was 4.56, and that is the reason for the 14 bolt swap. To get some more highway friendly gearing.
FYI and you may already know this. A late model (73-up) 14 bolt is almost a direct bolt in. You just have to move one shock mount and get longer e-brake cables.

I really like your truck, I'm kinda partial to the 3/4 tons! HAHA!!!
Got any pics of the whole truck?

BBB

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I know that's why the caps wont fit. I researched this all over this board before I had the wheels powder coated. I learned that I needed the taller caps to clear the Dana 60 rear end. That is why I have the taller caps. It just seems like something must be different with my set up because other guys make no mention of having issues getting the caps to fit the wheels properly (not referring to the axle clearance now). The only way I see this working out is if I space out the rear wheels far enough to use the shallow caps or I cut part of the base off of the tall caps.

Does anyone know if GM caps are different between the steel and aluminum wheels on a dually?

My truck has factory coils. I am in the process of putting in a 700r4 transmission. Hopefully I don't have to change rear ends after the trans is done.


I will post some pictures later.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I think I have a set of the deep caps at the shop that are different than yours.
I will look and see and see if they will mount up. Maybe an option for you.

Wow, a coil spring Dana truck. I believe those are quite uncommon. I had a 68 coil spring 3/4 truck many years ago. it was an Eaton rear, but I swapped a 14 bolt in it too. A little more involved than on a leaf spring truck, but still easily doable. I drove that truck for many years, and it sure did ride better than my leaf spring I have now.

BBB

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

That would be great if you could give me some insight on the caps you have. The shallow caps measure about 7 7/8" across the bottom and the deep ones measure about 8 1/2".

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I ordered spacers for my '86 dually K30 and they had to made. They have a different pilot diameter than the 88 and up dually trucks where you can get spacers on eBay. The square body dually's through '91 should have right pilot. I think. You might see if there is a bolt on cap solution for them since GM went to the bolt on cap somewhere back then.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

Deadshort52, I can't help you. But I have a dana 60 and used to have those tims on a 2003 GMC HD1500. I have never seen them painted white. I like that look. Reminds me of the white steel, but fancier. Can you post a picture of the front wheel with chrome cap on? I would like to see the finished look.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I had the same problem. I took my sawzall and cut about 1/4 inch off the back edge of the caps. this allowed them to bolt on. when installed you cannot tell they are cut.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I was just thinking the other day of powdercoating a set of those white for my C20. I like the look, but I have a Dana as well so I'll have the same issue.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

Those wheels look nice in white :metal: I have a Dana 60 with Dually caps on it. First pic should be the front wheel..second pic is rear wheel... Had to trim them to fit...

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

Here are some pictures.

I am going to fire up the Dremel tool and the belt sander tomorrow to get the caps to fit. If that fails I am going to order some spacers to move the rear wheels out so I can use the shallow caps like the front ones.

I really like the stock look with the white steel wheels and the hubcaps but my hubcaps are bad and I am sick of looking for a good set. I decided to powder coat a set of these and leave the caps chrome and paint the bowtie emblem blue for the older look. What do you guys think? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I like the spacer idea for the rear. Shouldn't have to be too thick, but from your pics I think you'd need longer studs.

Here are the same caps on my Hummer wheels modified to mimic the original hubcaps.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

Is that a decal or a painted bowtie symbol?

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

i really like those wheels and they look great white.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

I believe there are 2 different caps, ones for the steel wheels and ones for the aluminum wheels. Only a slight difference where they fit to the wheel. I bet you have a set for the steel wheels. Check that out and see.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

Wish I'd seen this thread earlier! I did the same thing with those same center caps on my own Dana 60.

I went the spacer route. I think wheel adapters are bad mojo but spacers are OK. I forget if I wound up needing one or both, but I ordered 4 half-inch ones off eBay (I think). I figure 8 bolts is plenty in double-shear.

Anyhow, solved it for me. I have mine where the cap is still right up against the hub, it's tight.

This also serves to broaden the rear track and make it closer to the front, which is inexplicably wider on these trucks.

Depending on your studs and spacers, you might need new studs. I had to lengthen mine to get proper engagement. I also drilled mine out and replaced them with 9/16" to match the '72 fronts I installed, so if they look a little bigger, that's why.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

See post 255 in this thread for details on the cap modification. Additional pics in post 250
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...330740&page=11
Be aware that the 1997-2003 Malibu bowtie alone is not large enough to cover the gold bowtie on the caps. These Malibus are very plentiful in the junkyard near me.

My truck has an Eaton rear end, and the caps fit fine. As Joesjunk said in post 21 above, the steel wheel caps do not quite seat properly on the 2500HD alloy wheels, but I don't believe that alone would affect the fitment problem with the Dana axle. The alloy wheel caps have bulges/bumps around the circumference at the lug nut locations that are also visible in post 255 in the link above, whereas the steel wheel caps are smooth around the circumference.

Re: Help with 2500 Hd wheels
 

This is 100% true. I went thru this when swapping from gmc caps to Chevy caps on my brother in laws 06 2500hd. We got a cheap set of OE Chevy caps from Craigslist and fought and fought with them. I finally got to comparing part numbers and there are 2 indeed different caps. I'm sure a belt sander would probably fix the issue pretty easy.