Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?

[7T2]

Put a wheel upside-down on a towel on the floor, spray the rim with soapy water, lay the tire on top and start jumping on it. They'll go right on. Try it on a junk wheel first to get the feel for it.

Take the inside of the valve stem out and hit it with a shot of air from your compressor to seat the bead.

[Big J]

Good to see you makin' progress. The wheels look awesome Adam. You'd better take those nice new rims and tires to someone good so they don't nick those purdy wheels. I know how ya feel now, I bought a bunch a new parts Saturday and got sick Sunday. So now all those parts are just sittin' and waitin'. Being sick Sucks!

[Alvin]

7T2 thanks for the advice on the hubcaps in the other thread. I found some on eBay and they fit great!



Also took your advice on trying to mount tires at home. Decided to start with the new front tires for my steel wheels. The learning curve is a little steep, but once you figure it out they do go right on. Not sure I have the guts to try it on my 17s though!





They don't rub on the fenders now when it's aired out.


255/60/15 BFGoodrich Radial T/A's on 15x7 steel wheels. I think the backspacing is 4.25".

Next step is to dismount the 275/60s off my cragars and put them on the other steel wheels.

[7T2]

It can be tricky mounting your tires, but nowhere near as tricky as de-mounting them, especially custom rims.

If you take them somewhere, make sure it's somewhere that has experience in mounting custom rims. I just had a tire mounting experience with Wal-Mart that ate up at least 8 hours of my life, and in the end I ended up with stick-on weights ON THE FRONT of one of my aluminum rims! The rims were pretty messed up anyway or I would have thrown a fit, but in the end I just wanted to be done with it.

As long as you have a nice clean solid surface to set the wheel on there's not much you can do to damage it if you mount the tires from the back. Personally I think there's more chance for damage if you take them somewhere than if you're careful and do them yourself. Taking them off is a different story. You almost need to have expensive professional equipment to do that.

[Alvin]

Yeah, I was thinking about running up to Wal-mart tomorrow morning and letting them do the work dismounting the 275s. Then I'll mount them whenever I get around to it.

There's a guy at work that's big into motorcycles and has a shop set up where he works on other people's bikes all the time. Apparently his tire changing equipment will work for automotive stuff too, so he's offered to mount the 17's for me when he has a free evening. I figure that way I can be involved in the process and keep a close eye on everything.

Again, thanks! I appreciate your help.

[Alvin]

Ok, ran over to Sam's Club today and had a couple of buddies switch the 275/60's off the Street-stars and onto the steelies.




I'm really hoping the guy at work will be able to mount the 17s tomorrow night, as my week seems to just keep getting busier.

[smbrouss70]

looks good just like that Alvin! But I can't wait to see the 17's on there.

[desertrat]

I'm digging the 15" steelies on it, although the TT's are going to look good on there as well.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

looks good just like that Alvin! But I can't wait to see the 17's on there.

Originally Posted by desertrat

I'm digging the 15" steelies on it, although the TT's are going to look good on there as well.

Thanks guys, I really can't wait to see the 17's on there, although I know the tires will rub on the bedside. I guess it might come down to cutting some metal out. We'll see.

desertrat: I was in your area back in October. My girlfriend and I drove through Pahrump on our way back to Henderson from Death Valley. What a great part of the country! Pahrump looked very nice (although people drove awfully fast on the stretch of road heading out of town, is that normal?).

[Alvin]

[smbrouss70]

SWEET! I bet you're happier than a pig in sh!t right now.

[68chevy68]

Man that looks good! I sure would like to have all that trim off the front of your cab along with those rims...my address is......lol looking good.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

SWEET! I bet you're happier than a pig in sh!t right now.

Yeah, pretty much. I've got to align the bed to make sure (it's not bolted down yet), but it comes down much further in the back than I thought it would without rubbing. And the front, just couldn't look better!

Originally Posted by 68chevy68

Man that looks good! I sure would like to have all that trim off the front of your cab along with those rims...my address is......lol looking good.

Thanks! Yeah, that trim is staying right where it is for now. I've got some pieces to complete the bedside, but thats just not a priority right now.

[kyull67]

Looks good. Perfect stance!

[68chevy68]

I was just messin man, I am talking to someone about some trim at the moment. I have all the trim for the bed but not the cab.

Are you going to keep it that color. If so, I like it.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by 68chevy68

I was just messin man, I am talking to someone about some trim at the moment. I have all the trim for the bed but not the cab.

Are you going to keep it that color. If so, I like it.

Oh I know, I wasn't trying to come across as a jerk.

I do like the light blue. My original dream was to paint the truck Mini Cooper Electric Blue (2002 or so color), but this original light blue is definitely growing on me.

[gringoloco]

The grey spokes look GOOD!

[CG]

Looks fantastic with those new rims...I may have to copy you. Need to read through your build thread first to see what you've done suspension wise to be sure they will work on my truck.

[Shane]

YO! There is some strange looking dude leaning on your truck ...

[Frizzle Fry]

I like it! Where are the rear discs?

[Spray-Bomb]

Sweet Bro !!!

[BACKYARD88]

Sweet! Looks AWESOME!!

[redneckgirl]

Sweet!!!

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by CG

Looks fantastic with those new rims...I may have to copy you. Need to read through your build thread first to see what you've done suspension wise to be sure they will work on my truck.

Thanks! The suspension is just drop spindles, air ride, bolt-in c-notch. I think I will be looking for a 71-72 axle (I'm fairly certain my axle is '68 width) to gain a little more clearance between the sidewall of the rear tires and the bedside.

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Where are the rear discs?

Well I'm still waiting on the calipers to show up (hopefully today), then I have to rebuild them and it hasn't been the best weather to paint in lately (). I definitely want to run the rear discs, now that I can see the drums in all their glory.

And thanks to everyone for the compliments. I am VERY happy with how it looks, and I could not possibly be any more motivated to get her on the road. Once I got those wheels bolted up last night all I could say was "I want to drive it".

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by Alvin

I think I will be looking for a 71-72 axle (I'm fairly certain my axle is '68 width) to gain a little more clearance between the sidewall of the rear tires and the bedside.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but you do know the later rears are longer/wider right?