My 72 with 4" lift and 33" tires (how to make a simple wheel and tire change hard)

[imjeff]

For a variety of reasons I decided that when I put new tires on my truck they would go on steel wheels (same size tire 33/12.50R15). My truck has had these tires and wheels for over a decade (no spare) that I've had it.

[imjeff]

For Father's Day I got the gift of powder coating (I married well). All five of my CL 15 X 8 rallies got very white and I picked them up today. One of them had some bubbling where the barrel meets the center piece, but the other 4 were perfect. They offered to redo the one wheel or give me a discount. Being thrifty (wife says cheap) I took them as is...happily!

[imjeff]

Here's where the trouble started. I got my new lug nuts from Summit, mounted my new BFG 33/12.50R15s and put them on. Now the rings and caps look really bad. The rest of this will be restoring/modifying those pieces. If anyone has ideas, I'm all ears.

[imjeff]

OK, I think I may have solved the multiple picture issue I was having. The caps I got with my rallies looked OK when I got them, but after the wheels were powder coated they looked very shabby. Here's the set with the funky 70's "4X4" all faded out on the rears.



I noticed the area that you see when looking straight at the wheel (where the lug nuts go) is actually argent silver like the stock rallies. Since I powdered mine white my first impulse was to paint them white where the argent is. More to follow.

[imjeff]

While cleaning the wheels with SOS pads I noticed the argent appeared to be chrome plated underneath and though that might just be shiny enough for my fresh wheels. I can't do anything about the blemishes in the caps, but getting rid of the paint made a positive difference.



The funky labels came off and I'm going to try something cheap and cool for the rears. If the hole wasn't there I would run them just like they are. Maybe a sharp acorn nut?

[DeadheadNM]

Looks really good! Repro 4x4 decals for the rear hubs aren't too expensive. Eager to see the caps installed on your wheels. Nice truck.

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Looks really good! Repro 4x4 decals for the rear hubs aren't too expensive. Eager to see the caps installed on your wheels. Nice truck.

Thanks DeadheadNM! I think I'm going to hit the local sign shop and see what a couple vinyl pieces with orange bowties would cost. I try to throw my business local when I can so we'll see what they say. Trying to decide if a white or black background would look better. My wife and daughter have good color sense so I'll probably poll them. I may as well be color blind. Maybe a plaid background?

Jeff

[Nitis]

Looking forward to a completed photo. I have a very similar set up k10 long bed with rally's. For the time being I rattle canned them flat black and put new rings and caps on

New caps were like $50 and new ss rings were like $45

My truck is yellow but when I redo it I want to do the top of the cab white and everything else original. Thinking I might like to powder my rally's white so I will be awaiting your final product.

[imjeff]

I'm still working the caps and rings. Trying to use as little cash as possible. I should have some progress next week.

[magicoolbus]

Take a look at this guys stuff. None better IMO.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=517927

[RANDY COX]

Nice truck, I know whatcha mean about doing one thing an then find something else, LOL
I'm pretty sure you can find new stickers to replace the old ones, Just a thought since they already have a hole why not try a spinner on there, I've seen some done like that, they look pretty KOOL>>>.

[imjeff]

I like the gold bow ties on black background. My wife likes the orange and yellow 4x4 rally stickers on account my truck is orange. Personally I have a hard time with the words "4x4" on any truck. Guess I always figured if you couldn't tell, you don't need to know and if you could tell, you don't need a sign like the Department of Redundancy Department.

I was going to have my local vinyl guy do some outlined bow ties in hugger orange over a white or black background. I went by and he either moved or went out of business. I stopped by another vinyl joint in the same business park. It was around 10:30 or 11 and the door was locked. After getting back in my truck some cat comes out and says "You want I can help you with something?". I had the same reaction, both physically and mentally, that I've had at other points in my life where I've felt the need for some serious and rapid relocation. It's kept me alive all over the world for a long time so I tend to listen. Plus, as I've gotten older I have more hair back there to stand up. So I departed from the Putin sounding, sweat pant wearing, somewhat evil acting proprietor and haven't ventured in to another shop. I really would like to get a quote and look at some orange outline bow ties on both black and white backgrounds, but it aint worth dying over! My wife talked to a shop across town that will give us a quote next week that gave off no creepy vibe. More to come.

[Dunenutt]

As an option for rings, these are very high quality. I have them on my truck.
Amazon.com: 15x8 Deep Dish Chrome Plated...

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by Dunenutt

As an option for rings, these are very high quality. I have them on my truck.
Amazon.com: 15x8 Deep Dish Chrome Plated Stainless Steel Beauty Trim Rings: Automotive

Those are tempting, but with my "thrifty" nature I'm going to try to rehab the old ones. If I get too fancy they might kick me out of the hood for having too much bling. The naked wheels have gotten a lot of positive feedback. I think white is the new billet. Seems everyone has some sort of aluminum or black wheel.

[derotoreut]

I know we discussed this in my post about my Skyjacker lift, but if you go to post #41 in this thread (http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=620627&page=2) you will see what my centers look like after refinishing them. I stripped off the Argent Silver paint to expose the chrome beneath them. I polished them with 000 steel wool. I also bought a pair of the 4X4 emblems from "PT's 70 CST" to finish them off. They are great quality and I would highly recommend them. I also installed 3" aftermarket trim rings that I bought in Carlisle this spring.

[imjeff]

I ended up ordering the same centers from Paul. I'm still working out the trim rings. Mine are pretty hammered and not all the same. I'm doing home projects this week. When I get the emblems I will post a pic or two. Thanks for the input!

[HeloCrewChief]

imjeff,

Were neighbors. I live off 21st and Ferdinand and have seen your truck several times and always wanted to stop and chat with you about it. I just sold my 70 K20 earlier in the year (picture attached). I have some 6 lug 15x8 solid steelies I've been hoarding if you ever want to switch to those.

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by HeloCrewChief

imjeff,

Were neighbors. I live off 21st and Ferdinand and have seen your truck several times and always wanted to stop and chat with you about it. I just sold my 70 K20 earlier in the year (picture attached). I have some 6 lug 15x8 solid steelies I've been hoarding if you ever want to switch to those.

What a small world! I'm usually around working on my house, truck, Chevelle, jeep or harley. If I'd known there were steelies that close I probably would have went that way. I'm struggling with whether to do trim rings, I'm really liking the white. I'm tapping the powder out of the center cap holes, but can't decide on the rings. I ran down to Centralia last night to pick up a Pro-Tech box for my truck so more delays.

Jeff

[69chevytrucker]

i really like the white too had white on mine but got talked into satin black kinda wish i stayed white too lol

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by 69chevytrucker

i really like the white too had white on mine but got talked into satin black kinda wish i stayed white too lol
Attachment 1279453

Attachment 1279454

The black looks great on yours!

[imjeff]

Got some threads tapped out and centers on. Still don't know if I will put the rings on.

[imjeff]

Well, I hope this pic is right side up! What do you guys think about trim rings?

[HeloCrewChief]

I vote no trim rings! Think it would cover up too much of the wheel.

[imjeff]

Sold! I have been paying attention to wheels the last few days and white is almost non-existent. I like it!

[special-K]

The rings look best with wheels in original form. Just how it was meant to be with the rallye wheel look. soon as you paint different they become a slotted steel wheel and usually look best w/o rings...especially on a 4wd. When I got my '90 Blazer new I went to 32/11.50 tires and had the rallyes powder coated black. I noticed the argent on the centers looked out of place,so I removed with stripper to paint black. Well! What nice chrome they hide behind that paint?! I was using black for accent more than what little chrome GM gave,but that extra chrome on the centers was just right!
I never liked the whole 4x4 labeling on a truck,either. And,I've put plenty of 6-lug rallyes on older 6-lug 2wds. GM started offering wheel covers on '78 (I believe) with little pyramids for fake lug nuts. They were used through '85. I think they are butt ugly,but the bowtie applique is the same size as the 4x4s on the rallye centers and I'd just put those on.

This is the only picture on the Blazer when it was young. I also had the Ventshades powder coated. Had planned to buy a second set of door handles and do them,as well as bumpers, but decided to leave the small amounts of chrome GM still used