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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Geneva, Ohio
Posts: 201
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split rims
Have the chance to buy 4 original 16.5 rims for my 70 C20. They are split rims.
Know nothing about these other then I hear they are dangerous to change. Would anybody like to share some pros and cons? Thanks, Serge |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 3,682
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Re: split rims
It may be getting harder to find tire shops that want to work on them. I had them on my 20, but traded them for a set of cheapo white spokes. There's just something about that outside ring MAYBE coming loose that spooked me.
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: split rims
the few tire shops i've been in recently all have signs posted that they will not touch split rims
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#4 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,621
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Re: split rims
As stated above, most shops won't touch them. You could probably find a heavy truck tire shop that would be willing to. They are only dangerous if you don't really know how to handle them.... but when something goes wrong it can be fatal. And you need to use a liner and inner tube (remember those?) with a split rim.
16" split rims were OEM on my K20. I gave them away about 30 years ago and haven't missed them at all. The only reason I can think of to use split rims is if you are doing a 100% original restoration (show truck). Even then, I'd use a different wheel. Oh btw -- welcome to the boards!
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,901
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Re: split rims
Advantage: You can change them yourself.
Disadvantage: You can kill yourself doing it. Split rims are one of those relics from the past that really don't have any value to modern drivers. Kind of like a hand crank coming out below the grill. |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 3,682
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Re: split rims
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,962
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Re: split rims
unless you're doing a 101 point resto on a truck that had split rims originally, I'd just walk on by. And I might walk on by even if you were doing a 101 point restoration - unless it will just sit in a truck-lover's museum. Also, I think splits were 16" and the all steel wheels were 16.5"ers. Never have seen 16" split rims (doesn't mean they don't exist). There are tires available for 16.5" non-split rims if you're concerned about tire selection.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MA
Posts: 354
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Re: split rims
I must be in the minority here. I think split rims are cool. Kinda nostalgic look that says "I'm not afraid". But at the same time I would swap them out for newer rims. You have more options for tires and with the new tire machines it's a piece of cake to change. It's like anything else. Once you get to know it and respect it they are not dangerous. I changed my fair share at the garage I worked at. The key thing is rust. You can't have ANY around the groove in the rim where the ring locks into. But I agree with the above find a newer set.
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#9 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: split rims
Pass! They are not anything you want, and its hard to find tires to fit.
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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#10 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,365
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Re: split rims
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. ![]() 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. ![]() 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc ![]() ![]() JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
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#11 |
"Ochre Ogre"
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Springfield, MN
Posts: 3,558
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Re: split rims
I would feel guilty to sell anybody split rims. Please drive the 2000 miles and take mine for free!
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Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087 |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 350
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Re: split rims
I haven't seen them worked on in a shop since the 70's. When I work for Kelly-Springfield (in the 70's) they showed us, more like made us watch, a movie reenactment of a loose split rim catastrophe. The head came right of of the human-sized dummy. Needless to say, I opted not to work on them. I was still young and wild, and a head full of last night would've probably eliminated any tomorrows for me. The last shop I worked at, a Firestone outfit, wouldn't even roll a split-rim equipped vehicle into the shop, let alone write a service order. We couldn't even check or set the air pressure.
A fine bit of yesteryear, best left to memories. A set of regular steelies or some nice alloys are pretty much the norm. Posted via Mobile Device |
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#13 |
What?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,617
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Re: split rims
I grew up with my Suburban while it ran it's OE lock ring wheels, and every time my Dad had to get it serviced at the local Firestone shop they would groan.
My Dad always complained of having to pay a premium, and I always complained of having to wait in the customer lounge for hours ![]() I would love to be able to run the 1968 OE wheels, because I have always endeavored to restore my burb to 1968 vintage. Instead, I have powder coated a set of 16" steel wheels black just like the 1968 OE lock ring wheels where from the factory. Someday I will even go as far as to do a little pin striping on the wheels, so that they "look" like the old lock ring wheels. They are truly dangerous, and you should look for a set of 16" steel wheels that best match the dimensions of the OE lock ring wheels. Here is a accident report of a man killed while pressurizing a lock ring wheel on a excavator (yes lock ring wheels are used on heavy equipment as well). http://www.health.ny.gov/environment...ce/07ny137.htm
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Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU |
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#14 | |
Petroleum User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 928
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![]() Quote:
Back to the rims...When I was in the army all the wheels were giant split rims and we had some dumb 18 year olds working on them that are lucky to be alive.(Myself included)
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![]() 1971 GMC Sierra Grande 2WD 1/2 ton, 350/400 auto 2008 Chevy Silverado 2WD 1/2 ton LT1 5.3L auto |
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#15 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,621
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Re: split rims
Can't pass up the chance to tell this lil story (again).
I bought my K20 in 1977 with split rims and a new set of 7.50-16(D) highway tires. What the..... on a 4x4? I drove it straight to a tire shop to trade for Armstrong Rhino mud & snows. One wheel just would not balance. The guy finally gave up and removed the tire, only to find the brand-new liner still folded up inside the tire. He put it back together, finished the job, thanked me for my business and asked me to please not come back as long as I had those wheels.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#16 | |
1969 Custom 30 wrecker
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Pottsville, Pa
Posts: 2,611
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Re: split rims
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Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10 |
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#17 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Geneva, Ohio
Posts: 201
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Re: split rims
To all,
I'm new to site and appreciate the feed back. Will walk away from split rims. They would look great but not worth the hassles. |
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#18 |
Petroleum User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 928
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Re: split rims
Cool. Theres one thing u can always count on from these guys: the facts. Theyve steered me back right many times. I have some 8 lug 16 inch steelies off of a '68 if you want em
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![]() 1971 GMC Sierra Grande 2WD 1/2 ton, 350/400 auto 2008 Chevy Silverado 2WD 1/2 ton LT1 5.3L auto |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 4,827
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Re: split rims
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Russiaville
Posts: 203
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Re: split rims
Having worked 9 years in the tire business, I have been in the shop when those pieces of crap let go. There is no warning, and if those POCs were not in a safety cage, my co-worker would have been dead!!! (never lost one myself, but always worried about it)
I also read a story in Modern Tire Dealer of a set of tire\wheels that had been sitting for hours outside of a shop, as soon as the customer touched them, the combo exploded, killing him. One of the shop managers had a customer who wanted to use his air hose to fill one he had changed at home. He had the lock ring held in place with Vice Grips!! He wouldn't let him use it. The customer showed him!!! He took it to the gas station across the street, and died for his efforts!!! The wheel was in the back of his station wagon, and he WAS leaning over it!! Then there are the story's of people getting killed just topping off the air pressure. I also got to witness my boss take a sledge hammer to a wheel that we deemed unsafe. He had told the customer that the wheel was unsafe, and the customer got po'ed, said he was going to take it elsewhere!!! NO PROBLEM!!!! Message for anyone considering using them......Don't touch them!!!
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......its not what your askin', its what your gettin'.... .......every time I screw up, I learn something. Needless to say, I'm learning all the time............ Last edited by biggestjohn; 11-06-2012 at 12:39 PM. Reason: more horror |
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#21 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Clinton, CT
Posts: 101
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Re: split rims
I'm going to echo all the sentiments here...my uncle had a '51 3800 wrecker that I bought from him when I was younger, and I remember filling up the tires with a regular air chuck from his compressor, until he saw what I was doing. He came running out of his garage and screamed at me, gave me the 'suicide rim' lecture and handed me an inflator with a safety chuck on the end of it. He told me to stand way back, off to the side of the tire, if I insisted on airing up the tires. A few months later, he found me a set of 8 lug 16.5" rims off some van that replaced the split rims.
Needless to say, when I found the '71 K20, it had the original split rims as well, and although I loved the look of the bias ply snows it had all the way around, there was no way I was fooling around with those split rims. They went to transfer station, tires and all, and got swapped out for a set of Ford steelies & Hankooks from an ambulance, also courtesy of my uncle.
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1971 Chevy K20 350/SM465/NP205 |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 1,584
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Re: split rims
I worked at a Mobil station back in the days of full serve in the late 60s and early 70s. We had this wiry little fkr named Steve that could muscle split rims like nobody's business. I remember him hammering and prying and stomping those suckers with nothing but hand tools and his body, no machine aids. He did a lot of them, too.
After I tried doing a few myself they were such a b!tch that I declined to work on them anymore. I figured Steve was the man on this one. I don't recall any accidents (but this was long ago so I may have forgotten). Certainly none that resulted in death or dismemberment. Still, split rims are evil and should be avoided IMO.
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- Jim - My Daily Driver is a 1969 Chevrolet Custom/20 Fleetside 350/TH400/Eaton H052 4.10 and its Project thread is here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456911 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Keene, NH
Posts: 235
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Re: split rims
My dad used to drive with a guy who delivered oil in the 70s, said they where driving down the road and one of the rims let go and it went through the rear passenger door of a sedan in the passing lane, fortunately nobody was in that seat. I would just run some steel wheels if it where me, I really don't even think they add much to the restoration, and you would feel bad if somebody else got hurt because of your efforts. Last I checked they where illegal in the us for use on commercial vehicles anyway. I have 16.5 inch steel wheels on my truck and there are plenty of tire options for them. Just my 2 cents.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Diego Co.
Posts: 1,162
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Re: split rims
There's only 1 thing that hasn't been asked/told about these things, so I''ll do it. Just in case anyone else is wondering.
What is a split rim?? Don't think I've ever seen one, that I knew about anyway. Thanks.
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1972 Chevy C-10, SWB, Fleet, 350/350, PS, PB, HEI, mostly stock, Survivor. ![]() |
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#25 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,621
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Re: split rims
Split rim AKA lock ring wheel (if there's a difference, I have forgotten).
__________________
- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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