2003 GM oem aluminum wheels (Alcoa)

[1969 GMC]

I was looking at eBay recently and found these wheels for sale, they are take-off wheels from a late model 2500-series truck. I was wondering, will they fit on my 1969 GMC without any modifications? Would my factory hubs clear the center hole?

16 x 6.5
8 on 6.5" bolt pattern
4-15/16" backspacing

I think they look cool, you get a choice of Chev/GMC hubcaps, plus they are made by Alcoa. Also they are cheaper than similar aluminum wheels.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33748

thanks

[hecticblasts]

You can do a search here,the very same topic was discussed a while back.There are some issues with the back spacing,if you mount the wheels on the rear the center cap will not be able to fit.You will have to space the wheel out about 1" or you could make a spacer for the center cap.I'm going to make my own adapter that will bolt to the drum and it will have the metric studs for the double threaded lug nuts.If you do some searches on ebay,try chevrolet truck wheels,chevy truck wheels,etc. and you'll get a set for less than that.I paid less than $400.00 for mine.HF

[1969 GMC]

I am not too concerned with the center caps, it would be nice, but a set of aluminum wheels is all i really want. These wheels will fit no problems other than that, though? I am still worried about the hubs, the front hubs appear to bulge out outside of the wheel a bit.

[Durney]

Heres the deal, I just went through this on my 67 3/4 ton 4WD. they will bolt on but require the conversion lugs if you are going to use the caps (which really make it look right) the rears (at least on my HO-72) will bolt right on and the caps clear the centers with no mods. The fronts you just cut the centers out and they also then will bolt right on . (with my stock front lockouts they required a fair amount of cutting ,simple lathe work) and the results were outstanding. REMEMBER TO USE THE CORRECT 60 DEGREE LUG TAPER FOR THOSE WHEELS! (even if you dont use the caps)

hope this helps

[Dean]

I was wondering where you bought your conversion lug nuts? I'm thinking about buying a set of these wheels for my 85 C30 and I bet I will need these as well. How much were they?

Thanks

[1969 GMC]

Is the HO-72 the Eaton rearend? I have a Dana 60 under my truck, I wonder if the hubs are close in size. I Guess the center caps would make the truck look nice, if they bolt right on that'd be cool. I probably won't even attach the front center caps, I'll just let those monster factory locking hubs stick out. They are HUGE. Even bigger than the rear hubs.

[Solver]

If any one has pictures of this wheel on there truck I would appreciate if they would post them

[69oldie]

The only problem with those Factory Chevy wheels (2000-2003, 8 lug) is there is a lot of back spacing. These wheels are designed to be on the New Chevys because they have a wider stance (wider axles) than our old Chevy trucks. Our axles are about 4" more narrow than the New trucks. What this causes is the wheels to set real deep inside our fenders and make our trucks stance look even more narrow!! If I were you I would first see if you can find one tire/wheel you can borrow and put on your truck. This way you can see if you like how those wheels look. Those rims are not "Alcoa's" they are a different maker, and are only 6.5" wide. I know because this because my wife has a 2002 3/4ton Suburban. I also liked the look of the wheels (ON HER SUBURBAN AND NEW CHEVY TRUCKS).....but that quickly changed when I put them on my 1968 3/4ton and saw how they looked!!

Don't get me wrong..........these wheels fit and will bolt on our Old Trucks......it's just they where NOT designed to fit properly on our trucks.......too much backspacing with a narrow wheel, not the best combination.

I hope this help you atleast think about it before you spend good money with out trying one on you truck first to see if you like how they look on your trucks............. 67-72!

Good luck!
Jim "69oldie"

[Durney]

Look there seems to be some misinformation concerning these wheels just as when I asked this forum before I did mine and sure enough lots of opinions and lots of "my buddy said". They DO fit the HO-72 (eaton) WITHOUT MODIFICATION and the caps go right over the hubs perfectly. The fronts must be cut for the front hubs and depending on the hubs (mine are stock D44 3/4 ton) you must cut them right to the edge of the "fluting" in the cap. They look spectacular. TWO things, there is NOT much rim width so dont think you are getting anything bigger than a 285 on it in the back and second for safety reasons you better use a 60 degree taper lug. Go to Wheelcomponents.com and they have the correct ones. Some here were saying they sell for 5-6 per lug W.C. sells them for 1.40ea.

I have one photo (and its a bad one) if someone wants to post it here I can e-mail it.

[Durney]

69 oldie is right, they have a very stock look to them as far as being "in the wheel well" but I was looking for a stock stance and track width (for several reasons). He is also correct in that you should'nt buy them before looking at it first. He is only partly correct in that the first production of these WERE made by Alcoa and then GM subcontracted to a Hungarian firm for the last couple of years....

[69oldie]

Durney........I wasn't trying to diagree with you!!
"Superior" is the "Brand" of wheel that is made in Hungary that GM uses on Chevy and GMC. Not to say Alcoa didn't make them...But with my limited experience with these wheels, I still haven't seen any with ALCOA stamped in them. I have seen the wheel dated as far back as 7/31/00 which were made in Hungary. I guess it must be a "reagonal" thing on how these wheels are distributed across the country?? I guess I learn something everyday.

As for the wheels on E-bay...........those wheels then can't be "take offs" from 2003..........if ONLY the earlier ones were made by ALCOA........according to the info. from Durney

[Durney]

Not sure how to take that "according to" comment but I think you assumed my post was in response to yours when in fact I just posted it and saw yours ahead of mine so I wrote another (thats when I responded to 69moldie)

I can say for certain that the Alcoa's I have are NOT marked "Hungary" and were taken off a customers 2000 GMC. No reason to argue over semantics here......

FYI,by the way, there are also no less than three different (cosmetically) center caps (besides the GMC/Bowtie diff's).

Bravo Zulu - OUT!

[69oldie]

Durney, whats "69moldie"??.............I am going to assume that was a "typo" and you were not trying to be rude......because that would be childish................................................................

[69c10stepside]

I have a moldie 69, but thats a different subject right?

[Solver]

Durney bad is better than none at all email your pic to solver@evertek.net and I will post it. Thanks

[Durney]

Solver, check your e-mail.

69C10 - thanks for maintaining a sense of humor....


69oldie - Should I assume your "according to" comment wasn't any less rude?

[Solver]

heres the pic
Thanks

[Solver]

Ok thats one pic and I don't see that it sets inside the wheel well to far ,but what size tires are you runnig? Thanks so far and would appreciate a few more pics from anyone else with this config to decide. Sorry to jump on your post 69 GMC but I would love to finally get the answer to whether or not to get these for my longhorn.

[Project1970]

I agree, it doesn't look so bad...

I believe the center cap issue is with 6-lug rims; the bolt pattern works but the center hole is too small.

I'm not sure what rims I'll put on my truck; I would like to do newer ones than my mid '80s rallyes, and I'd also like to bump up to 17-inchers...I'd also say I want to stick with 6-lug, but there aren't a whole lot of designs in 6-lug that I'd like on these trucks, and converting to 5 isn't that expensive for me - new rotors up front, and either convert the rear axles or buy '71 parts.

[Durney]

The tire size is 265/75/16. I did a lot of research on tires because I had been using BGF T/A's and wanted something better.Untill last nov. there wasnt anything. The new REVO's not only get the same off road traction but supposedly are quieter and last longer....we shall see when the truck is finished. The rims will handle a 285 guys (and I see it all the time) but its not recommended by the tire mfr's.

hope this all helps and I'd take some more when the project is complete. Thanks for posting it Solver.

[Blazer1970]

To clarify some things. This style wheel was originally made for GM by Alcoa. The set that I have has Alcoa clearly stamped on them. I think this set is from a '99. My brother bought a set a couple of months ago to use on his '98 Suburban, and they were made in Hungary by Superior. GM has abviously added a second source or switched vendors on this style wheel.

The backspacing is 5 inches, and the wheels are 6 1/2 inches wide. I believe that the original 8 lug wheels for these older trucks had 4 1/2" of backspacing. It is on the 6 lug 1/2 ton wheels where there is a big difference in backspacing from the pre '88 body style trucks to what is used now (old ones were ~3 1/2", and the new trucks are ~5 1/2").

That said, I recently saw a picture of one of these wheels mounted on a Dana 60 front axle ('77 - '87 vintage), and the dust boot on the tie rod end actually rubbed on the inner edge of the rim. This is because of that extra 1/2 inch of backspacing. On a 2WD truck, you would never have an issue, nor would you ever notice the slight difference in backspacing. On a 4WD, you should be careful depending on what front axle you are using.

[Durney]

Not sure about the 77-87 situation but I have considerable component clearance (1.5") and full turning radius capabilities.(as if it ever did turn sharp - not) I also switched it over to the later style power steering and even it causes no hassles. The front is the original D44.

[69oldie]

Durney.........I wasn't trying to be rude at all. I should have worded that "according to" differently...so I appologize for that. I was trying to say that the ones on E-bay could possibly not be 2003 if Alcoa only made the early versions I understood you correctly. Wasn't trying to "bash" on your post at all. I was just a little suprised with your posts, thats all. Like I said I have limited experience with these wheels and was just trying to help out a fellow board member with some advise and my knowledge.

One more thing with the wheels. The backspacing of them is more pronounced "inwards" on a rear axle of a 4X4. The front axles are actually wider (almost 4" more than rear) and look great on the FRONT. The 2 wheel drives you will notice it much more in the front and rear because of the narrow stance is also in the front. So in my opinion, the 67-72 K20 4x4 would look perfect (with these wheels) if you changed the rear axle to the Modern wider axles. Then it would match the front stance perfectly.

Good luck........

[Vince M]

I was thinking the same thing. Since I switched to a 14 bolt rear which is a wider axle than the original Eaton, this would be a way to get the rear width back closer to the original. I'm kinda weird....I like that tall narrow look. It makes the truck look more "antique".

I'm running a 16 x 8 inch wheel now with 4" backspacing and it pushes the front and rear out more than I like. Maybe with a bigger tire and a lift it wouldn't look as bad.

Thanks to all for the info on the rims...!

[v8.lover]

Now I know this is an age-old thread but... maybe I can clear the origin of the "Hungarian" wheels a little bit.
They are indeed not made by ALCOA, HOWEVER by the german company Fuchs (that started with the "Fuchsfelge" for the old Porsches) AND they are forged, lightweight and high-quality as well.
-> http://www.fuchsfelge.de/index.php?id=975&L=1

(btw. both ALCOA and FUCHS have plants for forged wheels in Hungary :-) )

Regards from Germany - Jonas