Split rims

[chopttop]

Just purchased a '70 1 ton, split rims, will want to repace, anyone done this, suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[chopttop]

Just purchased a '71 1 ton w/split rims, would like to replace, any suggestions. Thanks in advance.Happy Thanksgiving

[Longhorn Man]

Anything would be better.
if you are looking for the cheap way around it, go to the junk yard, and locate a GM truck with 16 inch steel wheels. Paint them white and get new tires, then drive on them for 5 to 10 years without even thinking about them.

[chopttop]

Thanks, I failed to mention that it is a dually, so I take it that the inside rear rims are split also, so it would not be as simple as buying 6 steelies is it. Thanks

[sick69]

you would just have to find 6 dually steelies and paint them white and not worry about them for 5 or 10 years

[Longhorn Man]

yup, just MUCH harder to locate.

[1969 GMC]

check junkyards, but iirc dually wheels off of Fords and Dodges will fit and work just fine (at least until ford went with the metric pattern).

a guy i know got a complete set of 8 lug Alcoa slotted wheels off of a newer 88+ wrecked truck at the junkyard for cheap.

and if you have to, you can run regular single wheels, it just looks silly

[qksilver]

I have the same problem. I bought a 68 C-30 wrecker with new tires but split rims. Around here they are almost worth their weight in gold, plus the new tires won't work on non split rims.

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by qksilver

I have the same problem. I bought a 68 C-30 wrecker with new tires but split rims. Around here they are almost worth their weight in gold, plus the new tires won't work on non split rims.

When I bought my truck, it was the same way. The tires still had the stickers. Fortunately for me, they were some cheap ass TSC mud tire or something, and I only got about 10k out of the rears before they were slicks. Fortunately for me (again ) my truck died then and it hasnt been an issue.

[SideStepper]

I have heard of split rims and all of the problems associated with them, but there must be some advantages if the factory (GM) designed them for heavy duty trucks. What would that be? Does anyone use this type of wheel nowadays? Any pics?

[Stocker]

AFAIK, split rims were simply to ease (!) the removal/installation of truck tires with stiff, inflexible sidewalls. They have not been used for many years on pickup-sized vehicles, though I think they are still in use on larger rigs.

The problem with them is mainly that Joe down at the Tire Corner has no idea how to work on them -- and if you don't know how, fatality may ensue.

[TP from Cntl PA]

Originally Posted by Stocker

They have not been used for many years on pickup-sized vehicles, though I think they are still in use on larger rigs. -- .

A few on some farm truck yet, but nobody who seriously runs OTR is still running them.

I will work with the whimpy ones on pickups, they aren't 100% true splits like on semi's, they just have a ring around the bead. But I wouldn't do anything with the TRUE split rims on OTR trucks other than take a torch to them.

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

I agree with Tom, the ones that came on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks aren't exactly the most dangerous type. The 20" budd rims that actually split in half to remove the tire have been outlawed in most(or all?) states since they can come apart without warning. Almost all the grain trucks I've seen around here still have the 20" lock ring type rims on 'em. Here's what I do with ones that are too rusty to keep on the truck:

[qksilver]

Good idea

[89 crew]

The wheels with a ring on one side wasn't a problem as long as the tire man didn't abuse the ring and cleaned it and the wheel before reinstalling. the bad ones were the wheels that split down the center. There is only one way to deal with those. If you NEED to use them you take an arc welder to them. you put on a new tire, weld the wheel in about 4 places at least 2.5 inches per weld then air it up and run it till you get your first flat. then grind the welds remove the tire and cut the wheel in half. the good news is you can run a true suicide wheel for a couple years (or your first flat) with no danger.

[Longhorn Man]

I have to disagree with the "this kind isn't so bad" comments... the old M-35 Duce & a half trucks that the army has been phasing out the last 5 years or so has this style wheel.
And yes, they too can, and have killed people. We lost a real good guy in Ft Hood back in 95 or 96... I'm not quite sure when it was, but it was a split rim that let go.

[LONGHAIR]

Thanks, I failed to mention that it is a dually,

It seems like everyone has over-looked the fact that there was no such thing as a "Dually" in '71.
A "Dually" is truly a pick-up truck with a wide rear axle and the extended fenders to cover the tires. The truck in question was most likely manufactured as a "cab & chassis" with-out a bed. The dealer then has a local company install whatever type is needed. These trucks become tow trucks, electric company trucks, or other specialty bed trucks. They have a narrower rear axle than a "dually pick-up" bed truck.

Even on the '73-'87 model trucks that actually available as a "dually", the cab & chassis trucks had the shorter axle. I learned this back in the early 80's by the bad experience of a friend. He bought a dual rear wheeled truck, minus bed, thinking that he only needed to find a dually bed to complete the truck. It was only after finding one and trying to install it, that the difference became apparent..............


BTW, please don't double post your questions. Someone will get to you, but it is very hard to keep track of a subject/question when they are spread over 2 or more places.

[chopttop]

You are right Longhair, it was built for a frame mount camper/motorhome. I am sorry about the double posting, won't happen again. Will be looking for different rims.

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

It seems like everyone has over-looked the fact that there was no such thing as a "Dually" in '71.
A "Dually" is truly a pick-up truck with a wide rear axle and the extended fenders to cover the tires. The truck in question was most likely manufactured as a "cab & chassis" with-out a bed. The dealer then has a local company install whatever type is needed. These trucks become tow trucks, electric company trucks, or other specialty bed trucks. They have a narrower rear axle than a "dually pick-up" bed truck.

Even on the '73-'87 model trucks that actually available as a "dually", the cab & chassis trucks had the shorter axle. I learned this back in the early 80's by the bad experience of a friend. He bought a dual rear wheeled truck, minus bed, thinking that he only needed to find a dually bed to complete the truck. It was only after finding one and trying to install it, that the difference became apparent..............

You didnt really need to bust his balls , he just meant to say that he had dual rear wheels. Just got his terminology a little off. Your post has NOTHING to do with what kind of wheels he has.

I believe GM called it the "big doolie" option, not dually, anyway.

[qksilver]

Well I picked up my dual rear wheel "dually" with a dual rear wheel conversion listed on the spid. As I was following my truck home, one of the split rim rings flew off, missed me and went about 100 yards off the road. A fun ride!
I don't know anything about the conversion listed but am going to do some research. The rear is wider than a cab and chassis dual rear wheel. Hangs out about 5 inches either side.
It is a C-30 wreckerwith a short wheel base

[Longhorn Man]

I believe GM called it the "big doolie" option, not dually, anyway.

yeah...but that looks totally retarded though.

[qksilver]

With the wrecker body it doesn't, I forgot my camera today but i will take pix when I go by my shop tomorrow

[chopttop]

Originally Posted by 1969 GMC

You didnt really need to bust his balls , he just meant to say that he had dual rear wheels. Just got his terminology a little off. Your post has NOTHING to do with what kind of wheels he has.

I believe GM called it the "big doolie" option, not dually, anyway.

No "Ball busting" offence taken , my bad on the terminology of the rear wheels, dual rear wheels is a dually to me, learn something new every day. Either way they are a pain in the behind and need to be replaced.

[Longhorn Man]

well, I've alweays been told a DRW is a daulie also... maybe that's what seperates a daulie from a doolie.
I still think that looks retarded.