HELP! Wheels hitting calipers

[john02fxdl]

OK, so I just did my six lug disc brake conversion today on ECE drop spindles on my 70 stepper. I went and mounted my wheels and they won't turn! So I take them back off and sure enough, it's the caliper hitting the wheel. These are stock steel wheels, not aftermarket. I can get them to clear w/ a 1/4" wheel spacer, but WTF? Has anyone else have this problem and what did you do to correct it? I didn't really want to buy new wheels, I'd rather keep my stock steelies for the old school look

[chipflyer]

Your going to need the 71-86 or 87 (can't remember which year they changed) six lug steel wheels, they have a deeper offset than the older wheels to clear the calipers.

Jeff

[Cyclone]

Do a search here, theres been lots of posts about grinding the calipers for clearance. Many 4x4 builders grind the calipers for 15" wheel clearance.

[jc]

4x4 71-72 blazer wheels should work but i think it will bump out your tire 3/4 of an inch on each side.

i have a set for sale if you need em .

zip is 08527 there somewhere on the parts board . if wanna go that route ill send you a link


(edit) heres the link
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317824

[chipflyer]

Careful with that caliper grinding to clear the old wheels, it may not be that great of an idea to grind on something that is so critical to stopping your truck. When Disc bakes became available in 71 GM didn't just grind the calipers to make them fit, they redesigned the wheels to clear the calipers. There are lots of 71 and up 1/2 ton 6 lug 4x4 wheels out there.
Just something to think about.

Jeff

[cdowns]

later wheels is the answer the early wheels both 5 and 6 lugs are cars and trucks have different construction and dont clear disc brakes// grinding calipers IMO BAD IDEA

[Andy4639]

Do it right and do it safely for you, your family and my family please. Buy new wheels.
As stated above Chevy didn't grind the caliper's for the 71,72 models.
I know buying more wheels wasn't in the plan but it's the right thing to do. Spacers are better than grinding but the wheels would be the answer.

[STOCKISH]

Throw some six lug ralleys on there, they look cool and still give it the old school look.

[70jnktrk]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

Throw some six lug ralleys on there, they look cool and still give it the old school look.

Six lug ralleys...ESC dropped spindles on the front...stock wheels will not clear.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by 70jnktrk

Six lug ralleys...ESC dropped spindles on the front...stock wheels will not clear.

Bingo...as has been said 70jnktrk;3131373 is spot on. I ran into the same isues when I dropped my truck 2/4. I also had rubbing issues with factory Rally's but only on sharp turns. I ended up buying a set of used Torq II's off this forum. Problem solved.

[PanelDeland]

Originally Posted by 70jnktrk

Six lug ralleys...ESC dropped spindles on the front...stock wheels will not clear.

Not to Hijack but I would appreciate a where/how on the wheel covers.I don't like the 6 lug center caps but don't have the 'nubs' for hubcaps.

[70jnktrk]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

Not to Hijack but I would appreciate a where/how on the wheel covers.I don't like the 6 lug center caps but don't have the 'nubs' for hubcaps.

Mine are Wheel Vintiques {spelling?} from Summit..outstand/fast service..nubs for police caps are there....hope this helps

[ChevLoRay]

When I pulled the Wheel Vintiques off of my truck for the body/paint, I purchased a set of 6-lug wheels off of a '61 for 20 bucks. All good wheels. Took them and bought a set of used tires and had them mounted. When I went to pick up the truck at the tire shop, the front wheels were still on it, and the ugly wheels were on the back. yep, same problem you had. I found two of the 73-87 style spoked 4wd 6-lug wheels for 30 bucks and had the tires mounted on them. They cleared the calipers.

[sick69]

The early wheels are for drum brakes, which have a different shape on the inside of the wheel than disk brake wheels. You'll have to use later wheels(71+) or aftermarket.



Frank

[SouthernRodder]

Guys thanks for all your input. I can assure you that I won’t do anything to jeopardize mine or my family’s safety. I have two girls that both love hotrods. I want them to have fond memories of the truck in there childhood just like I have.
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[Andy4639]

[special-K]

The right wheels, '71-'91 4wd, will do the trick. But on grinding rotors, I know to fit 15" wheels on a 3/4t truck all you do is grind the casting ridge which is excess material. The radiused area that conforms to the wheel 'peaks' at that ridge and you just flatten it out some. Still more material in that area than the rest of the caliper. I did this years ago with no adverse affect what so ever.

[BigBird05]

X2 for special K, In the past I have ground Calipers. Your not grinding the back side were the piston is. Your grinding the top front(outside) and only grinding a little. We had to do it when I worked in Experimental @ GM. We didn't have any new wheels to use yet. But for the look of a restored truck I would buy new wheels.