New rims for a 72 K20

[LaraWilde]

G'day folks,

I recently took a road trip in my '72 Cheyenne over 9000 km across the top end of Australia. A lot of kilometers and extreme temperatures (48-50 degrees celsius) meant that I blew 3 tyres. I only carry 2 spares so now I am stuck on the other side of the country.

My rims are 16.5's and so far I can only find 4 tyres in Australia and they will cost me just under $3k AUD.

So I figured that I don't like my rims that much and it will be cheaper in the long run for me to convert to 16" rims which will allow me access tyres a lot easier.

The question I have is has anyone put new rims on their 72?
What types of rims look good? (photos please)
My wheel studs seem short on some F250 rims I tried - will all rims have this problem?
Can I use any 8 stud rims or do I need to try them on first?
Can anyone recommend a good mail order joint for me to import them from?
Do 17" rims look better?
Any other tips?
I only want to do this once so I want to get it right.

Thanx for the help lads.

[Ace in the hole]

It depends what you want to spend. I can't answer a lot of your questions but I can show you my truck with newer 2500 chevy rims, got them off ebay-


got the lug nuts with the inside & outside threads online too but I was told most full service tire shops can get them too. They are about half way down on this page, item 2004 - http://www.wheelcomponents.com/lugnuts.html

[jrdv]

The rims I bought are the same as F250 rims. I actually have some old F250 rims I use as my spares. I have no problems with the lug bolts being too short.
The white truck is 8 hole and the green is 6 hole. I got the rims from the local tire shop for about $75 per rim.

[special-K]

You can use any wheel off of any older or newer US brand 8-lug truck.They are 6.5" on center pattern.Lust watch out for metric patterns.They don`t have to be 4wd wheels.Two and four wheel drives use the same wheels.

[LaraWilde]

That is brilliant thanx lads.
I am thinking I want to go with black or grey wheels.
I wish I could get rims for $75... starting price here seems to be in the $250 a corner range.
I will keep hunting on ebay.

[frostie_122]

deuce's

[LaraWilde]

I love them!!!
Where can I get a set?

[chevy stepside]

the green chevy 6lug 16.5s?

[chevy stepside]

i,m looking for some 6lug 16.5s

[Stocker]

Ummm, you might want to re-phrase or delete your last post.... sounds like it could turn into a WTB (want-to-buy), which per board rules is not permitted by non-subscribing members.

Just curious, though, 16.5 tires are getting harder to find all the time..... why would you want them instead of 16s?

[LaraWilde]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Ummm, you might want to re-phrase or delete your last post.... sounds like it could turn into a WTB (want-to-buy), which per board rules is not permitted by non-subscribing members.

Just curious, though, 16.5 tires are getting harder to find all the time..... why would you want them instead of 16s?

Was that for me? or the guy looking for 6 studs?

Anywhos - a little update.

I found my 16.5s in the end. It took 5 weeks. Then the tyre shop that fitted them snapped one of my wheel studs and I don't seem to be able to find another one so I am having some made.

I will get 16 rims in the future but now I have a fresh set of rubber to shop for them on.

Thanx lads for your help.

[Stocker]

No, that was for the newbie, sorry...


But for you -- thanks for the update! Sounds like it's rather challenging (and expensive!) finding things down under.

[LaraWilde]

It is challenging but worth every bit of it.
I rang up for a new set of rubbers and had the parts guy tell me I should get my husband to order them 'cause I couldn't possibly have that type of Chev. - They are the tossers who make it a little less enjoyable.
I met the most amazing guy in Western Australia though. He was a Chevy nut with about 12 in various stages of restoration. The things I learnt in just a few hours was amazing. Bits like improving the brakes easily and where to get parts from hassle free etc. Tempts me to go
hang out in the US for a few weeks with the rest of the real Chevy nuts.
He was wonderful - when I cried on his shoulder about my snapped stud he walked out the back and grabbed a hub giving me 8 new studs - unfortunately they were too short but still it is the thought that counts.