Stock Rims. What can I do?

[Surfdaddy]

Since my truck is 3/4 ton (8 lug wheels) and has those real bad split rims 15 inch. I'm now at a loss of what I can do to replace them. I called a local wheel company and tried to get smoothies, but they don't make them for 8 lug. Then I got the bright idea that I could have the centers removed and have modern rims put on. The guy at the wheel place said to meassure the centers and let him know. Well, the center is 14" which apparently is too small for him to work with. Are there any other options for me so I can run semi stock looking wheels with the stock hub caps? I have 5 split rims and 2 16.5 rims he said he can't work with the 16.5's either. He said that he uses rims made from some rim manufacture and places centers that he has made on them.

[jimmydean]

Are all 8 lug split rims? Can't you just get a set of 8 lugs off another truck?

[padresag]

just got to a 16 inch wheel. tires will also be readily available. unless you are staying stock. if you are going disc brakes 16's will fit better over the discs than 15"; with witch you would have to run about a 1/4" spacer for clearance
http://www.stocktonwheel.com/light_truck_wheels.php. can su7pply you with wheels.
ron

[Surfdaddy]

The problem is newer wheels have a different center and the stock hub cap won't work.
The hub caps press on the centers where as the old style use clips. I'm not sure if the hole pattern is the same through all 8 lug trucks or not. I'm really trying to make this as close to orig as I can. So if I can get a wheel (smoothie or not) to work with the stock hub cap that's what I would like to run. I spoke to Stockton Wheel. the guy onthe phne said that he can make the centers work (he thinks) 4-6 week lead time and 145 a wheel. After reading a thread on them I conserned that if I send the wheels to him I may not get them back until December if at all.

[jonzcustomshop]

check out what areotruk did starting on post # 26
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=397681&page=2

[jonzcustomshop]

also this guy on the hamb can probably custom make whatever you want.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=15250

send him a pm there, or contact him through the website on his page there...
I have seen him offer to do all kinds of custom stuff...

[Southcity]

You can get a custom set made at many wheel companies such as Wheel Vintiques:

http://wheelvintiques.com/

they carry an 8 lug version, give them a call and see what your options are. I personally think 8 lug wheels look great, especially with a new coat of paint or powder coating and some shiny new chrome lug nuts. But whatever you decide to do moving forward, by all means hold on to those hubcaps.

[Surfdaddy]

It seems that all the wheel guys only make the newer OEM (accepts only the later model hubcaps) wheels. I may have to trust in Stockton Wheel.

[padresag]

I doubt that they made an 8 hole 15" that wasn't split except for aftermarket. i have 8 hole 15" on my 4 x 4 but they were of the white spoke variety and had to space the frt out for the disc brakes.
if you can find some rimes to fit you centres a good machine shop should be able to do the work for you. don't let some back yarder do it for you
ron

[Chevy Fleetside]

Try calling Pete Paulsen also. http://www.petepaulsen.com/home.htm . I think he bends his own wheels but not 100% sure of it. Might as well call everyone.

[Southcity]

Originally Posted by Surfdaddy

It seems that all the wheel guys only make the newer OEM (accepts only the later model hubcaps) wheels. I may have to trust in Stockton Wheel.

Not true, Wheel Vintiques (and others mentioned here too like Pete Paulsen, Stockton etc.) make wheels that will except OE hubcaps and dogdish hubcaps, even the ones that require tabs in addition to the later model hubcaps. You have nothing to lose by contacting some of these Co.'s and finding out what your options are for an 8 lug wheel and then keep us updated so we can see what you decide on as we all love seeing pics.

[factorystock]

Sounds like you need one piece wheels with clips. Problem is, GM and aftermarket companies do NOT make popular 16" wheels with clips to accept your hubcaps. The rims that accept your hubcaps were period 17.5" one piece( the standard 3/4 ton wheel 60-66) or very hard to find optional period 19.5" one piece wheel,both wheels are clip type. Tires are available for these sizes, but need to be ordered at truck tire dealers. I would think finding a set of 17.5" wheels and bias tires would be the easiest solution. If you want to go the 16" route, I have seen people put clips on late model 16" (bump style) wheels, but looks a little strange. If you want 16" wheels custom made, the donor rims they need are the original period 17.5" wheels.They remove the 17.5" center section and put them into a 16" slug. This is process that was used in the 60's when camper owners were putting wide 10-16.5" tires on the rear of pickups. They took the stock 17.5" centers out and put them in wider 16.5" slugs.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I just remembered that in my C 20 I have a 15" spare but the rest of the wheels are 16 in from a Dodge Ram or something. I was going to convert to 5 lug all around. I will see it is a split rim. If not you are welcome to it.

[jonzcustomshop]

I just got the frame off a 66 that had those solid 19.5's on the front!
...might have to go back and get them..

[Surfdaddy]

The rear wheels are 16.5 but I have all 5 of the orig 15" spilt rims. When I bought a used motorhome I had a choice between 16 and 19.5 wheels and I chose 16" just because the tire cost was so high. It interesting that someone hasen't come up with a rim yet for the aftermarket group. Maybe I'm just being picky but I would like to follow as close to stock as I can get.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by Surfdaddy

The problem is newer wheels have a different center and the stock hub cap won't work.
The hub caps press on the centers where as the old style use clips. I'm not sure if the hole pattern is the same through all 8 lug trucks or not. I'm really trying to make this as close to orig as I can. So if I can get a wheel (smoothie or not) to work with the stock hub cap that's what I would like to run. I spoke to Stockton Wheel. the guy onthe phne said that he can make the centers work (he thinks) 4-6 week lead time and 145 a wheel. After reading a thread on them I conserned that if I send the wheels to him I may not get them back until December if at all.

I am pretty sure all 8 lug bolt patterns are the same, the size of the stud may vary but the pattern should be the same (it is on modern vehicles)

[Captainfab]

Yes, all GM C20's and C30's with the 8 lug wheel pattern are the same, which is 8 x 6.5". Most of the other brands such as Ford and Dodge are the same 8 x 6.5 except for the Super Duty's when they went metric in about '99.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Surfdaddy

It interesting that someone hasen't come up with a rim yet for the aftermarket group. Maybe I'm just being picky but I would like to follow as close to stock as I can get.

Unfortunately, the correct look is not worth the extra expense or not important enough for most owners of 3/4 tons. The aftermarket still does not recognize the need for 16" 8 lug wheels with clips ( 20 years of 3/4 tons 1948 thru 1968 ) would benefit from wheel if they ever decide to do them. Just think of the 100's of mag wheel designs out there and they can't even manufacture one stock 8 lug 16" with clips? Agian, I would run a set of 17.5", if your lucky a set of 19.5".

[padresag]

Originally Posted by kieth

I am pretty sure all 8 lug bolt patterns are the same, the size of the stud may vary but the pattern should be the same (it is on modern vehicles)

there is a difference also on the centre hole. I toook the wheels off my 64 4x 4 with later 8 stud and put them on my 65 1t and went to put the 18s off the 1t to my 4 x 4 and they won't fit even with drilling the lug holes out to 9/16". centre hole is to small by about 1/8"
ron

[Surfdaddy]

I looked for 17.5 tires and they all seem to be for heavy duty trucks. 16 ply or so. I have 10 ply on my regular truck and at 80psi it's pretty stiff. But, I tow a 10k trailer and put about 500-700lbs in the back. This truck is never going to see that, and the stock tires were 6 ply anyway. Since I'm going to try and do this right I'll take the wheels to Stockton Wheel and have new rims put on. They want 165 a wheel and if I were to but any sort of aftermarket mag wheel it would cost almost the same.

[factorystock]

The original tire sizes are 8-17.5 or 8-19.5 and are made in 8 ply. These tires must be ordered at a truck tire dealer because they are not kept in stock. I believe you are trying to be sold newer wider higher ply radial tires that are found on Isuzu and Ford Super Duty trucks. 17.5" wheels can still be found at older wrecking yards, but it requires searching. There is no instant gratification when trying to do a stock restoration on a 3/4 ton. If 16" wheels are going to be made, did they tell you what center is going to be used and if it has the correct offset? Do they have any photos of wheels made in the past?

[Surfdaddy]

The truck has the orig 15" rims on it now. The guy at Stockton Wheel said they have done this quite a few times before. He said something about a 3.25 inch offset ( I could have that number wrong) To allow the clearance of the tie rod ends. I asked about 15" rims or 16" he said go 16" incase I wanted to go with disk brakes later. He told me to remove the centers by drilling out the rivits and sending the centers to him. They are back logged right now so it would take 4-6 weeks. He aparently either has or makes the rims that have enough drop to allow the center to be welded. So I would use the stock centers which would be as close to orig as I can get. Ther are only 3 things I would like to make changes on Moderen wheel / tires, Power assisted brakes and power steering. Other than that It's going to look as close to factory as I can make it. I think I even have a lead on the orig fabric used for the seat. Though mine is in pretty good shape being covered up for 45 years or more.

[sailed2japan]

Man I'd love to have a set of original 19.5's!!!!

[factorystock]

A comparsion shot of period one piece 19.5" wheel( 33" tall tire) and period two piece 15"wheel ( 28" tall tire). I had a truck tire dealer mount new tires and tubes on my '64 GMC 3/4 ton, and I like the look. I was told there is nothing unsafe about 2 piece style rims, many are still in use today on heavy trucks, they just require experienced truck tire people to deal with them. Also, always carry a good spare tire with you in case you get a flat.

[Surfdaddy]

When I was building older Wagoneers (62-73) I would look for stock 16" wheels and put 255/85/16 (about 34 tall and 9 wide) Mud tires on them. With a 3" lift they didn't rub and I was able to get the clearance I wanted, while still looking pretty stock. So I'm a big fan of tall skinny tires. The problem with spilt rims is I have to mount them myself then take them to get ballanced. None of the regular tire stores around here will touch them.