Was the factory spare a different rim? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Zenwren · 07-24-2019, 10:54 PM

I was taking some old tires off a set of 5 15x6 6 lug stock wheels and noticed one was significantly heavier than the others. All the wheels are from 67-70 trucks and the one heavy one was the factory spare from my '69. Looks identical, just thicker steal. Was there a difference? I'll take a look at the stampings when I get back out in the shop tomorrow.

**special-K** · 07-25-2019, 06:17 AM

A spare would be the same as the other four. Not sure if there were different "duty" wheels, but I've never known of such a thing

**Ol Blue K20** · 07-25-2019, 10:23 AM

I'm thinking different manufacturers. They probably sourced wheels from different vendors now and then.

Zenwren · 07-25-2019, 05:58 PM

Figured it out... Someone snuck a 6" in with my 5.5" rims. Really should have noticed that sooner.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 07-25-2019, 07:08 PM

Not from the factory. Before radial tires, the accepted system was to have 5 tires that rotated in a crossover pattern. Something like: LF to RR, RR to Spare, Spare to LR, LR to RF, so each tire got a 20% rest during the life cycle of a new set of five tires.
With radials, they develop a memory set, and you only swap them front-to-rear and vice-versa, and crossing over to the other side is bad for them. That left a stagnant spare.

**special-K** · 07-25-2019, 09:16 PM

So you feel a weight difference between the drum brake 2wd 5 1/2" wheels and the disc brake 4wd 6"? I never noticed that, but I can see the difference.

From what I understand, the cross rotating radial thing is no longer an issue. It was true when they first came out, along with if you only ran two those should be on the rear. I've been told by tire places cross-rotating is fine, and I have been doing it for years without any issues

mr.precision · 07-27-2019, 10:35 AM

My side mount spare on the '67 was noticeably heavier than the others mounted on the truck. Same size. Of course after all these years it means little as who knows what got swapped around during the truck's lifetime. I don't recall seeing any maker's marks on the wheels when they were painted.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 07-27-2019, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.precision

My side mount spare on the '67 was noticeably heavier than the others mounted on the truck. Same size. Of course after all these years it means little as who knows what got swapped around during the truck's lifetime. I don't recall seeing any maker's marks on the wheels when they were painted.

If you look on the SPID, you might see what wheels and tires came with the original equipment.

07-24-2019, 10:54 PM	#1
Zenwren Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: S.E. Arizona Posts: 52	Was the factory spare a different rim? I was taking some old tires off a set of 5 15x6 6 lug stock wheels and noticed one was significantly heavier than the others. All the wheels are from 67-70 trucks and the one heavy one was the factory spare from my '69. Looks identical, just thicker steal. Was there a difference? I'll take a look at the stampings when I get back out in the shop tomorrow.

07-25-2019, 06:17 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Was the factory spare a different rim? A spare would be the same as the other four. Not sure if there were different "duty" wheels, but I've never known of such a thing __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-25-2019, 10:23 AM	#3
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 16,245	Re: Was the factory spare a different rim? I'm thinking different manufacturers. They probably sourced wheels from different vendors now and then. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul

07-25-2019, 05:58 PM	#4
Zenwren Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: S.E. Arizona Posts: 52	Re: Was the factory spare a different rim? Figured it out... Someone snuck a 6" in with my 5.5" rims. Really should have noticed that sooner.

07-25-2019, 07:08 PM	#5
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,513	Re: Was the factory spare a different rim? Not from the factory. Before radial tires, the accepted system was to have 5 tires that rotated in a crossover pattern. Something like: LF to RR, RR to Spare, Spare to LR, LR to RF, so each tire got a 20% rest during the life cycle of a new set of five tires. With radials, they develop a memory set, and you only swap them front-to-rear and vice-versa, and crossing over to the other side is bad for them. That left a stagnant spare. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

07-25-2019, 09:16 PM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Was the factory spare a different rim? So you feel a weight difference between the drum brake 2wd 5 1/2" wheels and the disc brake 4wd 6"? I never noticed that, but I can see the difference. From what I understand, the cross rotating radial thing is no longer an issue. It was true when they first came out, along with if you only ran two those should be on the rear. I've been told by tire places cross-rotating is fine, and I have been doing it for years without any issues __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-27-2019, 10:35 AM	#7
mr.precision Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Posts: 161	Re: Was the factory spare a different rim? My side mount spare on the '67 was noticeably heavier than the others mounted on the truck. Same size. Of course after all these years it means little as who knows what got swapped around during the truck's lifetime. I don't recall seeing any maker's marks on the wheels when they were painted.



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