5-lug Hubcap/Steelie Style Wheel Options

[lolife99]

Here are the most common 5-lug (1/2-ton) steel wheels, for 2wd trucks.

These are the 2wd 71-87 (and 88-91 2wd suburban) 15x6.5 steel wheels.
Hard to believe,... but these are getting harder and harder to find.
(like the 6-lug 71-87 version)

Notice the 4-nubs on the o.d. of the center ring?
This holds the standard 1/2-ton hubcap on.

[lolife99]

Here's the confusing wheel.
These wheels are EVERYWHERE.
They are the 88-98 2wd 1/2-ton truck wheels.

These had a small plastic center cap that is either held on by the clips on the back of the 88-89 "fake lugnut style" center cap,...
or with the internal/external threaded lug nuts with the plastic lug nut covers.

These wheels are often confused with the earlier steelies,... but have no "nubs" to hold on the dogdish/poverty style hubcaps.

[vegadesign]

this is an option, many different styles that go on the same

mine are 6 lug but same concept

[BC13]

Can anyone tell me if these caps will mount to the 15x6 steel wheels and fit over the front hub on 71 C10. I have the stock wheels on my 71 5 lug and wanted to run spider caps but they do not fit over the front hub (at least the ones I can find). I cannot tell how tall these caps are from the picture. If anyone has any other suggestion that would be great. I have dog dish caps from cars and the original 71 caps but none give the look I want. The spider caps look great on the back but do not fit the front.

Well I am not tech savvy enough to make the image attach correctly. Basically I am talking about the 88-98 center caps referenced at he beginning of this thread. Thanks

H[IMG]
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTa5sRPuENNjydtw8hzdzGgLGFZt2GkFimlfKv7kmCXNInSDyO8LEnfYzqv[/IMG]ELP

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BC13

Can anyone tell me if these caps will mount to the 15x6 steel wheels and fit over the front hub on 71 C10. I have the stock wheels on my 71 5 lug and wanted to run spider caps but they do not fit over the front hub (at least the ones I can find). I cannot tell how tall these caps are from the picture. If anyone has any other suggestion that would be great. I have dog dish caps from cars and the original 71 caps but none give the look I want. The spider caps look great on the back but do not fit the front. HELP

What about running a spacer behind the wheel or turning the snout of the rotor down? Each option would yield a smaller OD for the center cap to fit over.

[BC13]

Neither of those is really a feasible option, thanks though.

[kitsbeach]

I see American Racing has a "smoothie steel" wheel now. They weigh 25 lbs I wonder if that is less than a stock wheel.?

Size: 15x8
Offset: -6mm
Backspacing: 4.251"
Bolt Pattern: 5-127
Rec. Tire Size: 225/75-15
Weight: 25.4lbs.
Finish: Chrome Plated
Construction: 2pc. Welded
Finish Warranty: 1 Year
Manufactured in China

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand

[lolife99]

Then there is the Wheel Vintiques Series 13 (Smoothie) wheels.
These require a special center cap.
They also do not have the 4 small windows in the wheels like the stock steel wheels.
But these are available in 15"-17" sizes.

They are available in:
Bare steel.
Steel center with chrome lip.
All chrome.

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Then there is the Wheel Vintiques Series 13 (Smoothie) wheels.
These require a special center cap.
They also do not have the 4 small windows in the wheels like the stock steel wheels.
But these are available in 15"-17" sizes.

They are available in:
Bare steel.
Steel center with chrome lip.
All chrome.

Cool thread.

I used to run these on my 78 in a 17x8 with NOS derby caps. They're on the Daily driver suburban now with 265s.

[72Cheyenne454]

Does anyone know if a standard 1/2t dog dish cap (10 1/8") will fit over the formed center of the series 12/13 Wheel Vintiques wheel? If the cap is large enough to fit over the formed area, I could add clips and install dog dish caps on a set of these wheels. I'm looking for the oe look of steelies and caps, but want a larger diameter wheel... 16" or 17". So far this is the only wheel I've found that appears to be an option, as the series 62 wheel only comes in 4.5/4.75 bolt pattern in the larger diameter.

Thanks,
Miles

Originally Posted by lolife99

Then there is the Wheel Vintiques Series 13 (Smoothie) wheels.
These require a special center cap.
They also do not have the 4 small windows in the wheels like the stock steel wheels.
But these are available in 15"-17" sizes.

They are available in:
Bare steel.
Steel center with chrome lip.
All chrome.

[Voodstoc]

Originally Posted by 72Cheyenne454

Does anyone know if a standard 1/2t dog dish cap (10 1/8") will fit over the formed center of the series 12/13 Wheel Vintiques wheel? If the cap is large enough to fit over the formed area, I could add clips and install dog dish caps on a set of these wheels. I'm looking for the oe look of steelies and caps, but want a larger diameter wheel... 16" or 17". So far this is the only wheel I've found that appears to be an option, as the series 62 wheel only comes in 4.5/4.75 bolt pattern in the larger diameter.

Thanks,
Miles

I have this exact same question. I want a 16 or 17 and vintiques have them, but I want to use my original c10 caps for a 70.

[Already Gone]

I have a 1971 C20 Burb with the original 16.5 8 hole rims and the chrome hubcaps. I've seen threads that show folks replacing the 16.5 rims with 16 x 8 inch rims because tire choices are better. I though I read somewhere that you could use rims from newer vehicles to get the 16's. Does anyone know which vehicle I should look for to get a set of the 16 x 8 8 hole rims that my chrome hubcaps will fit.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I have a 1971 C20 Burb with the original 16.5 8 hole rims and the chrome hubcaps. I've seen threads that show folks replacing the 16.5 rims with 16 x 8 inch rims because tire choices are better. I though I read somewhere that you could use rims from newer vehicles to get the 16's. Does anyone know which vehicle I should look for to get a set of the 16 x 8 8 hole rims that my chrome hubcaps will fit.

A lot of people are using 16x7 ford steeliness,...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=552307

[lolife99]

I prefer the Wheel Vintiques Series 62 steel wheels for the original look.
They come in plain (or the all chrome, series 64 wheel).
Many different bolt patterns.
And 15x6, 15x7, and 15x8 widths.
They have the 4 small windows to duplicate the stock look.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...%2062%20wheels

[lolife99]

Next is a style that our own member, Delmo, has made famous.
Using 20", 22", or 24" Centerline Smoothies with clips added to hold the centercap on.
These wheels are available in many 5-lug bolt patterns and also 6-lug.

These look like the clips that Delmo is using.
https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail...Retaining.html

Or these:
http://www.brotherstrucks.com/prodin...number=HCRC066

Part # 381771 from GMC Pauls:
http://www.gmcpauls.com/60-66_trim.htm
$29.95/set of 20

[lolife99]

One of the latest "steel" smoothie wheels to enter the market are MobSteel wheels.
Available in 18's, and 20's.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546383

Detroit Steel Wheel launch - YouTube

[lolife99]

Then,... the 6-lug guys get 22" steel wheels (besides the Centerline Smoothies aluminum wheels),...
by using GM "Transport" wheels.

These are not for sale at your dealer, but are showing up more and more.
There are some for sale here on the board's Classifieds Section.

These first came to light on this cool truck built by Hale's Speed Shop.
They do have the small '99-2013 center hole and a 6" backspacing.
So "wheel modifications" or spacers might be required to make them work.

These are a cheap alternative to billet wheels, if you can make them work for you.

[Rusbuilt]

Nice write up Keith!
Posted via Mobile Device

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

Nice write up Keith!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks.
Started out as a thread to clear up the confusion with the 88-98 wheels,... since they won't accept a dogdish style hubcap.
Got a little carried away. Ha.

[lolife99]

The Wheel Smith is also a good source for oem looking steel wheels.
(along with MANY other styles)
They even sell 8-lug wheels.
http://www.thewheelsmith.net/CustomW...cessories.html

[lolife99]

The link below is about 8-lug wheels,... but it's good info on installing "early" hubcaps on later model wheels.
http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/smo...er/hubcaps.htm

Here is a picture of a stock 6-lug clip style wheel.
I believe these were pre-'61 wheels.
(or had a mid-year change in the '61 model)
Anyone know for sure?

[lolife99]

Some "early style" hubcap info:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/hubcaps.htm

[5150]

One more thing Keith, especially since my confusion started this FAQ, did the original 15 inch wheels with the nubs come in 15x8?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 5150

One more thing Keith, especially since my confusion started this FAQ, did the original 15 inch wheels with the nubs come in 15x8?

I've seen alot of 6-lug 15x8 factory GM wheels,... but have never seen a set of factory 5-lug 15x8 wheels.
But with the Series 62 wheels from Wheel Vintiques,... there is no need to hunt for rusty old 5-lug wheels anymore.

[5150]

True, but it's hard to pass up paying $8.41 a wheel at the pullapart versus $82 a wheel plus shipping. Like you said earlier, it's getting harder and harder to find these. Maybe I need to start grabbing them and selling them.