New Wheels

[davepl]

Thanks to a lot of help from FirstOwner69 a couple of weeks ago I picked up a nice set of take-off H2 wheels on eBay; I then grabbed a set of GMC 8-lug centers and ordered a set of double-threaded lug nuts that aren't actually here yet.

The wheels arrived pristine, but the caps took a couple of hours with a Sonicare to make them look good.

As you may know, 8-lug wheels are hard to find, especially if you're not into "dubs" or "slamming" or whatever and want to stay somewhat period-correct.

Here's a pic... it'll be a while before I buy rubber, as I want to see what fits the body, and the body's not painted yet!

[69GWC]

Nice that will make for a different look for sure.
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[special-K]

Nice. Not period-correct,but they're a modern GM upgrade,kinda like rallyes on a C/10.

[SS Tim]

Agree, They are nice. Not what I expected on this project but stil a good choice.

[black_sheep454]

I think those wheels look great on older trucks. I really like them on 4wd square bodies.
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[VA72C10]

Looking forward to seeing them on the truck!

[Sicklajoie]

Nice.
With all the authenticity you're going after with your project I figured for sure you'd be getting steel wheels.

[MusicMan70]

Look great! Are they 17x8's?

[Tinkermc]

why not photo shop those on your truck 4 all 2 see

[davepl]

I still have the original 16.5 inch wheels and all four center caps, and certainly won't be getting rid of them. I may use them if I show it somewhere that originality matters.

The problem is the original wheel/cap setup just isn't all that attractive, at least not to me. And rather than do what so many others have (5-bolt conversion) I wanted to keep the spindles and hubs all original, so using these H2 wheels allows me to keep the truck unmolested, run a somewhat better looking wheel, and revert to stock any time I need or want to.

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by davepl

The problem is the original wheel/cap setup just isn't all that attractive, at least not to me.

Did you REALLY just say that??
I'm just kidding...to each their own.
The wheels you picked out will look good. Just make sure you put some nice meaty rubber on them, too.

[davepl]

Your nice photo of your original brings up a good question: how the heck do you restore hubcaps?

Mine are decent, but a few dings and scrapes, so they'd stick out like a sort thumb on a full restoration. I could certainly get them straightened out, even polished up, but how do you/they go about reapplying the color?

The "GMC" part on mine would be trickier to mask than the bowtie on yours, but I wonder if there's a stencil kit?

Are they chrome or polished from the factory? This is probably worth a thread, but feel free to hijack this one. Maybe we'll draw some of those 20-inch Foose guys over to the stock dark side...

[Sicklajoie]

I'll admit, I got wicked lucky with mine... won them on Ebay for $81. They were badly tarnished, but they had no dings whatsoever. I got some S100 Polishing Soap, which brought back the original finish.
As far as the paint, I just brought it to a buddy of mine who's a sign painter and who used to letter my race car. He's got a real steady hand and knew what he was doing. At $25 a cap to paint, I couldn't go wrong. They look like a brand new set of NOS caps when done.

[JNiemela]

I like all the wheels and feel the same way about trying to keep the truck original. I've got a 68 CST C20 with the 8 lugs. I'd like to keep the 16.5 steelies, but wanted to know if all Chevy/GMC 8 lugs would fit or just a few like the H2 wheels.

[slikside]

Originally Posted by davepl

Your nice photo of your original brings up a good question: how the heck do you restore hubcaps?

Mine are decent, but a few dings and scrapes, so they'd stick out like a sort thumb on a full restoration. I could certainly get them straightened out, even polished up, but how do you/they go about reapplying the color?

The "GMC" part on mine would be trickier to mask than the bowtie on yours, but I wonder if there's a stencil kit?

Are they chrome or polished from the factory? This is probably worth a thread, but feel free to hijack this one. Maybe we'll draw some of those 20-inch Foose guys over to the stock dark side...

Very carefully....painstakingly so. I had my dogdish caps powdercoated. Then I scuffed up the black cog pattern, and inner bowtie, etc.; using 1/16" wide auto detail vinyl paint tape, I masked off/outlined all these areas, then regular painters tape and newspaper to cover the rest......x4. I think I counted about 24 hrs that I put into them. They came out pretty darn good I'd say. When you do the work and are up close and personal with them, they never look good enough. But mine are good 5 footers anyway! I need to take some pics.

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

I'll admit, I got wicked lucky with mine... won them on Ebay for $81. They were badly tarnished, but they had no dings whatsoever. I got some S100 Polishing Soap, which brought back the original finish.
As far as the paint, I just brought it to a buddy of mine who's a sign painter and who used to letter my race car. He's got a real steady hand and knew what he was doing. At $25 a cap to paint, I couldn't go wrong. They look like a brand new set of NOS caps when done.

Yes sir! You made out VERY nicely on that deal I'd say. Especially the $25/ to paint. Many hours you saved there!

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by davepl

Your nice photo of your original brings up a good question: how the heck do you restore hubcaps?

Mine are decent, but a few dings and scrapes, so they'd stick out like a sort thumb on a full restoration. I could certainly get them straightened out, even polished up, but how do you/they go about reapplying the color?

The "GMC" part on mine would be trickier to mask than the bowtie on yours, but I wonder if there's a stencil kit?

Are they chrome or polished from the factory? This is probably worth a thread, but feel free to hijack this one. Maybe we'll draw some of those 20-inch Foose guys over to the stock dark side...

Here's a link to an old thread on hubcap restoration.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=455805

[ThreeQtr]

WOW ! Seeing these makes me regret not getting a set I had a line last year for a $100.
The guy who had them was fifty miles away and was holding them for me to get there, but we just couldn't get on the same schedule. In the end I just didn't bother.

[77shortstep]

Wow those wheels look great, can't wait to see them mounted.
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[derotoreut]

Here is my truck finished with my H2 wheels and 285/70-17 tires installed. I really like the look.

[doubleb's69]

Originally Posted by derotoreut

Here is my truck finished with my H2 wheels and 285/70-17 tires installed. I really like the look.

Your truck looks great.

[CG]

Originally Posted by derotoreut

Here is my truck finished with my H2 wheels and 285/70-17 tires installed. I really like the look.

That looks pretty darned good. Nice vision, I wouldn't have ever come up with that.

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by derotoreut

Here is my truck finished with my H2 wheels and 285/70-17 tires installed. I really like the look.

That looks super!

[jsbgump]

Looks good

[davepl]

Awesome. How's the fit on the tires? By my rough calculation yours should be about 31.71 inches tall and 11.22 inches wide... about 2 inches taller than stock.

Is the fit close, or do you think I'd be safe buying 285/70-17s for my 3/4T?

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by davepl

Awesome. How's the fit on the tires? By my rough calculation yours should be about 31.71 inches tall and 11.22 inches wide... about 2 inches taller than stock.

Is the fit close, or do you think I'd be safe buying 285/70-17s for my 3/4T?

Your calcs are correct. The overall diameter is 32.70" and the section width is 11.22" I have no fitment issues, but keep in mind I just installed new front springs as part of a front disc brake upgrade. The springs are 1-ton springs which are a little different than the stock HD springs. If you want the NAPA part number of the springs I can look that up for you.

I found a couple of cheap junk tires to use as a fitment check. Actually the tires in the picture are used too. I wanted to try some used tires before making the investment. You may want to try that route too.