47-55.1 Speedway's Wheel and tire Sizing tool?

[JDarby]

Have any of you used one of these tools from speedway to determine your wheel and tire size's?

And if so how did it work out for you?

[damnyankee36]

I've always wanted one. I'm installing custom offsets on a 67-72. I think I could do it the old-fashioned way but I like the idea of this tool. I've seen it used on a few TV shows.

I think this will be a good time to get one. I will let you know it works out!

[damnyankee36]

Ordered! I also got the 6-lug plate. I tried to find the equivalent tool on Amazon due to free Prime shipping but couldn't find the 6-lug plate.

I think it will be worth the $152. It's cheaper than being stuck with unreturnable $1k wheels.

The only downside is the tires are needed. I saw some other tools that look like it might also simulate the tires, but didn't look at them. I think a tire vendor such as Discount Tire would let you return a tire if it doesn't fit right as long as it's not mounted.

[JDarby]

Originally Posted by damnyankee36

Ordered! I also got the 6-lug plate. I tried to find the equivalent tool on Amazon due to free Prime shipping but couldn't find the 6-lug plate.

I think it will be worth the $152. It's cheaper than being stuck with unreturnable $1k wheels.

The only downside is the tires are needed. I saw some other tools that look like it might also simulate the tires, but didn't look at them. I think a tire vendor such as Discount Tire would let you return a tire if it doesn't fit right as long as it's not mounted.

Funny you say that but I just got back from Discout and after telling him my story he said I could have all the used tires I needed to help in determining my wheel size!

[jweb]

No help but I'm in these too. This one looks like 6 lug wheel & tire tool.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/6-Lug...L5_XeO08PAIkAg

[damnyankee36]

I should have looked more closely, I didn't see that the tire simulator attachment was sold separately.

[damnyankee36]

That sounds good too. Assuming they have the sizes you need...

They wouldn't allow you to test fit a new tire? I ask that because after they mounted some tires for me I decided they were too narrow and they took them back and mounted wider ones for me.

[JDarby]

Originally Posted by damnyankee36

That sounds good too. Assuming they have the sizes you need...

They wouldn't allow you to test fit a new tire? I ask that because after they mounted some tires for me I decided they were too narrow and they took them back and mounted wider ones for me.

Well lets face it they have a lot to gain by working with us, tires and wheels are not cheap!

[mr48chev]

Worst case you can borrow some out of the junk tire pile.

[JDarby]

Originally Posted by JDarby

Have any of you used one of these tools from speedway to determine your wheel and tire size's?

And if so how did it work out for you?

After more thought I had to go all in!

[damnyankee36]

Cool, I'm curious as to how well the tire fitment tool works. It looks like it can simulate the wheel offset too.

[mr48chev]

We are going to need a full photo essay on this one.

[JDarby]

No Pressure right

[damnyankee36]

Got my tool yesterday. A few observations:

The instructions say to physically measure the tool to set the wheel width. There is a ruler etched into the tool, so I wondered why doesn’t it say to read the dimension directly? I found a logical edge to line up the desired measurement but it appears that the graduations are offset 1/8” making the tool too wide to simulate the actual wheel width. You can see where I chose an 8” wheel and where it winds up being. I know 1/8” isn’t much but it’s also puzzling why they let this tool go out as is.

Second, it also says after you have adjusted the tool to the desired backspacing to measure that dimension too. I was able to temporarily mark the tool to directly read that too using another convenient edge, (See arrow).

So, I have three options: Physically measure the tool, remove the etchings and make my own graduations, or return the tool. Or, I can make a new mark 1/8" to the right of the existing edge and add some new graduations for the offset dimension. I saw some other tools on Amazon that look identical except they are painted or anodized. I wouldn’t know if it’s a copycat design until I tried it out. Maybe another company makes them too.

Other that, I am excited to use the tool. Once I get the tires dismounted off the old wheels I can see how well it works in practice.

JDarby, have you gotten yours to try it out?

[leegreen]

check this thread out for some other ideas . it is one of the FAQ links in suspension forum

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=530806

[JDarby]

I did get my Speedway tool yesterday and I had that 215/55/r17 from Discount Tire the guy had gave me to try so I set up the tool just to play with it.

My truck is not here so I will have to wait to take my actual wheel sizes.

Looks pretty damn close to 8" to me.

[damnyankee36]

OK, I can see you lined up the movable part with the 8" mark. I did the same, 1st photo.

If you actually measure the resulting tool width, it's winds up about 1/4" too narrow, 2nd photo.

Notice that the 1" mark, (hidden by my ruler, 2nd mark from left), is not actually 1" away from the fixed part of the tool, 3rd photo.

[damnyankee36]

After playing with the tool some more, I'm getting less impressed with it.

On the 6-bolt center section the hole that slides over the axle flange is about 1/4" too small.


However, the 5-bolt hole is large enough.


To fit the tool in 15" tire, I had to set it at 14". You can see where the holes should be. The bead clamps didn't quite seat against the bead at 14",
but it held the tire in place. Both center sections were identical with location of the holes. I didn't try the 21" and 22" holes.



I will play with it some more and decide if I want to return it. I can't understand why a tool would leave the factory like this. It's a simple matter to send the drawing
to the water or jet laser cutter to get one prototype. Then tweak the drawings if necessary until it fits and works the way they designed it.

JDarby, did you get a chance to try out yours some more?

[JDarby]

I will try this week.

I must say what you have discovered dose not make this tool the answer to our problem.

[damnyankee36]

I know, but I'm making it work. I almost want to draw up plans myself and have them cut out. I think I could improve it. Getting the bends correct would be the toughest part.

[JDarby]

Will not be able to take my wheel fitment measurements till Friday,
but rest assured it will happen!

[damnyankee36]

I still need to make sure I reversed engineered mine correctly before I return it. I still have more than a week.