What does the term "split wheels" mean? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Eagletucky · 02-27-2009, 08:39 PM

Simple question. I did a search earlier, and found a few threads that referenced them, but no explanation of what they are. If someone could give me the ten cent tour on what split wheels are, it would be greatly apprieciated.

Thanks in advance....

retodd7711 · 02-27-2009, 08:56 PM

a split rim is actually a two-piece rim.
The tire is held on by a locking collar.
Can be very dangerous when inflating. You how a new tire "POPS"
when inflating?
Well, if the collar is not on correctly the POP could cause the collar to fly off and injure someone severely.
By severely I mean dead.
Commonly used on big trucks and older farm equipment, they were also available on the 6 lug version of our trucks.
I have them on my '62

Eagletucky · 02-27-2009, 09:04 PM

Ah ha...I see.....

Thanks for the explanation. My rims are normal steelies, but I wanted to get a little more info before I go any further.

Thanks again!

jason65 · 02-27-2009, 09:05 PM

Tubes and liners are used on them to. I have changed out many 12x22.5 on our 10 years and older big trucks. Fun stuff.

factorystock · 02-27-2009, 09:47 PM

Split rims were usually found on heavy duty 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons in the 60's with tube type bais ply tires. Only truck tire shops will work on them today.Stay away from the 3 piece pre 1965 rims, they were recalled, the 2 piece 1966 design are OK and never had a problem when installed correctly.

originalJD · 02-28-2009, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Can be very dangerous when inflating. You how a new tire "POPS"
when inflating?
Well, if the collar is not on correctly the POP could cause the collar to fly off and injure someone severely.
By severely I mean dead.

Man, your not kidding there. I've seen one blow apart before. Thank God no one was standing near it at that very moment. I'd stick with the steel wheels. Not only safer but also less of a hassle.

retodd7711 · 02-28-2009, 08:00 AM

Here's a thread about split rim troubles
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324537
I'm still runnin' mine.
Don't have the $$ for news rims

factorystock · 02-28-2009, 02:08 PM

You may want to consider the 58 thru 61 Chevy or GMC 1/2 ton one piece wheel. These wheels have the clips for your hubcaps. I would use 7.00-15 bais tubeless truck tires which still can be ordered. This combination will retain the factory authentic look your truck has now.

Oregoon · 03-01-2009, 08:35 PM

Pretty rare to find them on a semi these days, with the exception of a container chassis. I've pulled more than my share of those pieces of crap, and when the splitties let go, it's not pretty.

My advice, stay away from splits unless you're just using the truck as a show rig. Radials are much easier to deal with, and tubeless bias-plys aren't even that bad, and still look old-school. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, and you have a tire cage, never screw with split-rims yourself.

Here's a link you might want to read through: http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/arc.../t-731072.html

Adams74Chevy · 04-01-2009, 12:36 PM

My '74 K20 has split rims on it, when it's time for new tires they're getting replaced with on piece rims. The last time my father get tires for it he had a hard time finding anyone to mount them and that's been 10years or so.

jgh64pkup · 04-01-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retodd7711

a split rim is actually a two-piece rim.
The tire is held on by a locking collar.
Can be very dangerous when inflating. You how a new tire "POPS"
when inflating?
Well, if the collar is not on correctly the POP could cause the collar to fly off and injure someone severely.
By severely I mean dead.
Commonly used on big trucks and older farm equipment, they were also available on the 6 lug version of our trucks.
I have them on my '62

Thats what the cage is for

jason65 · 04-01-2009, 12:55 PM

I'm glad we hace only a couple of those left. I hope they go to the junk yard soon.

02-27-2009, 08:39 PM	#1
Eagletucky Where did THAT bolt go? Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Speedway, Indiana Posts: 306	What does the term "split wheels" mean? Simple question. I did a search earlier, and found a few threads that referenced them, but no explanation of what they are. If someone could give me the ten cent tour on what split wheels are, it would be greatly apprieciated. Thanks in advance....

02-27-2009, 08:56 PM	#2
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? a split rim is actually a two-piece rim. The tire is held on by a locking collar. Can be very dangerous when inflating. You how a new tire "POPS" when inflating? Well, if the collar is not on correctly the POP could cause the collar to fly off and injure someone severely. By severely I mean dead. Commonly used on big trucks and older farm equipment, they were also available on the 6 lug version of our trucks. I have them on my '62 Attached Images __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005 Last edited by retodd7711; 02-27-2009 at 09:00 PM.

02-27-2009, 09:04 PM	#3
Eagletucky Where did THAT bolt go? Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Speedway, Indiana Posts: 306	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? Ah ha...I see..... Thanks for the explanation. My rims are normal steelies, but I wanted to get a little more info before I go any further. Thanks again!

02-27-2009, 09:05 PM	#4
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? Tubes and liners are used on them to. I have changed out many 12x22.5 on our 10 years and older big trucks. Fun stuff.

02-27-2009, 09:47 PM	#5
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,396	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? Split rims were usually found on heavy duty 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons in the 60's with tube type bais ply tires. Only truck tire shops will work on them today.Stay away from the 3 piece pre 1965 rims, they were recalled, the 2 piece 1966 design are OK and never had a problem when installed correctly.

02-28-2009, 08:00 AM	#7
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? Here's a thread about split rim troubles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324537 I'm still runnin' mine. Don't have the $$ for news rims __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

02-28-2009, 02:08 PM	#8
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,396	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? You may want to consider the 58 thru 61 Chevy or GMC 1/2 ton one piece wheel. These wheels have the clips for your hubcaps. I would use 7.00-15 bais tubeless truck tires which still can be ordered. This combination will retain the factory authentic look your truck has now.

03-01-2009, 08:35 PM	#9
Oregoon Roadside Rebuilder Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Portland, OR Posts: 421	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? Pretty rare to find them on a semi these days, with the exception of a container chassis. I've pulled more than my share of those pieces of crap, and when the splitties let go, it's not pretty. My advice, stay away from splits unless you're just using the truck as a show rig. Radials are much easier to deal with, and tubeless bias-plys aren't even that bad, and still look old-school. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, and you have a tire cage, never screw with split-rims yourself. Here's a link you might want to read through: http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/arc.../t-731072.html Last edited by Oregoon; 03-01-2009 at 08:41 PM.

04-01-2009, 12:36 PM	#10
Adams74Chevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MD Posts: 417	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? My '74 K20 has split rims on it, when it's time for new tires they're getting replaced with on piece rims. The last time my father get tires for it he had a hard time finding anyone to mount them and that's been 10years or so. __________________ 2006 Silverado Crew Cab 1500 4x4 5.3L automatic 1986 M1008 CUCV 6.2L Detroit Diesel TH400 4.56 Detroit Locker rear NP208 1973 K20 "Silverado" 350ci, HEI, TH350, NP203 with 2wd conversion, A/C, power windows,tilt wheel, dual tanks. My '73ish K20 thread My 5yo son claims it as his. 1987 V20 Custom Deluxe 350 TH400 NP208 "farm truck" getting parted out. 2016 Nissan Altima grocery getter/commuter

04-01-2009, 12:55 PM	#12
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Re: What does the term "split wheels" mean? I'm glad we hace only a couple of those left. I hope they go to the junk yard soon.

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