My solution to Wheel Vintiques Series 62’s

[powell72]

So I recently purchased a set of Wheel Vintiques series 62’s from Summit for my 74. 15x6’s and 15x8’s, I’ve ran them before on my 67-72’s, so no big deal right? They show up, I paint them, get my tires mounted, go to put them on...the rears don’t fit. So naturally I come here and search and find out there’s fitment issues with the Squares with the bigger rear drums. Swapping to the smaller brakes wasn’t an option out of pride because my shoes and drums are brand new. So after some measuring and research, here's what I came up with.

I needed a 1/2” spacer to get the drums to clear the backside of the windows on the wheels. My lug studs were too short to work with a spacer so I would need to replace them. I couldn’t seem to find a longer stud with the same diameter knurl so I went hunting. I also didn’t want a stud so long I needed to pull the axles to install (just resealed the diff and put fresh fluid in).

I came up with these lug studs, that I believe fit a Mercury Mountaineer. Dorman 610-514. Still 1/2-20 thread. Here it is next to the stocker.

[powell72]

It even has a “clipped” side to help it clear the bearing housing when you put it in.

[powell72]

Stock lug stud knurl diameter-

[powell72]

New stud diameter-

[powell72]

After using a 35/64” drill bit to open the axle flange stud holes, they go right in with the axles in place.
I bought a Bosch drill bit off Amazon for $13. Using my drill on low speed with plenty of cutting oil the bit held up like a champ and cut the last hole just as quick as the first.

[powell72]

The right tool for the job always helps.

[powell72]

Here’s the wheel spacer I used. A hub centric spacer from Billet Specialties. $47 a piece, but not the place to skimp.

[powell72]

Here’s a mock-up showing the clearance I have now. That’s a feeler gauge, the only thing I could find that would sneak in there, with plenty of wiggle room, I was able to rock the feeler gauge side to side.

[powell72]

All finished up, just hand tight, more threads are exposed after torquing.

[powell72]

All in I spent $160 between Summit and Amazon. That includes buying the drill bit and having to pay shipping from Summit since I was just under $100 on my order.

[powell72]

One more.

[Warrens69GMC]

Good tip!

[Mathew21]

Cool Thanks for sharing!

[special-K]

Great little write-up, Chris. Nice truck. It's amazing Wheel Vintiques didn't do their homework with these 62 series wheels, since the 5 on 5s would be made primarily for C10s

[powell72]

Thanks Tim, hoping I can offer a different alternative to a brake swap.
I agree with you, seems like they could have done a little more R&D on them.

[S10Fan]

The wheels look great, love steelies and dog dish caps.

Dorman is a great source for lots of items but especially wheel studs.

[ltdmstr]

I have a set of these wheels on order with the rears being 15x10 w/5.0 BS. So, does that mean I can expect the same problem? I don't think spacers are going to be a viable option for 10" wide rims with 295 tires.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by special-K

Great little write-up, Chris. Nice truck. It's amazing Wheel Vintiques didn't do their homework with these 62 series wheels, since the 5 on 5s would be made primarily for C10s

Originally Posted by powell72

Thanks Tim, hoping I can offer a different alternative to a brake swap.
I agree with you, seems like they could have done a little more R&D on them.

What back-spacing was used? I recall 4" as their standard on 8" wheels.

I would agree there should be a disclaimer on the website but it's possible they're not aware of the issue since most C10's don't have the HD drums. The info should be shared w/them that they don't fit over the HD drum set-ups beyond a certain back-space dimension.

They fit the standard brake packages fine which is what the majority of C10's have. For use on HD drum packages, the wheels beyond 3.5" of BS are not a direct fit.

I can't see any company re-inventing the hub/center of a wheel to accommodate a select few possible purchases. Order the BS @ 3.5" ($25 fee) & there shouldn't be an issue.

Originally Posted by ltdmstr

I have a set of these wheels on order with the rears being 15x10 w/5.0 BS. So, does that mean I can expect the same problem? I don't think spacers are going to be a viable option for 10" wide rims with 295 tires.

What rear brake set-up: Standard rear drums or the HD drums? They won't clear the HD drums. Probably will for the standard duty set-up. Do a quick test fit before you mount the tires would be my suggestion in case things don't work/fit as desired.


Set-up looks good Chris!

[ltdmstr]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

What rear brake set-up: Standard rear drums or the HD drums? They won't clear the HD drums. Probably will for the standard duty set-up. Do a quick test fit before you mount the tires would be my suggestion in case things don't work/fit as desired.

I just got the truck a couple weeks ago. So, I'll have to check which drums are on there. And the wheels are on order. Not sure when those will show up. The 5" BS on the 15x10s is a custom order (4.5" BS is standard). So, I'm probably stuck with them either way. Sure hope they fit.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by ltdmstr

I just got the truck a couple weeks ago. So, I'll have to check which drums are on there. And the wheels are on order. Not sure when those will show up. The 5" BS on the 15x10s is a custom order (4.5" BS is standard). So, I'm probably stuck with them either way. Sure hope they fit.

Worst case.... You purchase standard brake parts if you have the HD set-up or swap w/someone that has standard brakes but wants the HD parts. The hardest thing to source is the HD backing plates. If you have the HD brakes, getting standard used backing plates is much easier from a wrecking yard or online forum like this one.

Also.... Those 295's are fairly short for the rear of a truck @ <27 (26.6"). What's the plan for the fronts?

[ltdmstr]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Worst case.... You purchase standard brake parts if you have the HD set-up or swap w/someone that has standard brakes but wants the HD parts. The hardest thing to source is the HD backing plates. If you have the HD brakes, getting standard used backing plates is much easier from a wrecking yard or online forum like this one.

Also.... Those 295's are fairly short for the rear of a truck @ <27 (26.6"). What's the plan for the fronts?

I'm going to use 245s on the front which are same diameter. Tires a little small, but should be fine with a mild drop. Guy I bought it from had the thing slammed pretty good and was running 295/70/15s on the back, which barely fit and were almost impossible to get off without messing up the fender/trim. Fronts he had 255/70/15 with spacers. But the inside wall was still all chewed up. Whole thing was a mess. It's going down to the frame for a complete redo. It's a '74 shortbed with 454/TH400. Going back to stock 2-tone color scheme which was Rosedale Red/Frost and white steelies with T/A Radials.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by ltdmstr

I'm going to use 245s on the front which are same diameter. Tires a little small, but should be fine with a mild drop. Guy I bought it from had the thing slammed pretty good and was running 295/70/15s on the back, which barely fit and were almost impossible to get off without messing up the fender/trim. Fronts he had 255/70/15 with spacers. But the inside wall was still all chewed up. Whole thing was a mess. It's going down to the frame for a complete redo. It's a '74 shortbed with 454/TH400. Going back to stock 2-tone color scheme which was Rosedale Red/Frost and white steelies with T/A Radials.

225/70's on 8's & 275/60's on 10"s is my usual suggestion for the height w/very similar section width vs wheel width. Your F/R heights & section widths being incrementally similar works well visually w/the right drop. Post up pics when you get them.

[ltdmstr]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

225/70's on 8's & 275/60's on 10"s is my usual suggestion for the height w/very similar section width vs wheel width. Your F/R heights & section widths being incrementally similar works well visually w/the right drop. Post up pics when you get them.

Eventually. Just starting the teardown and then sending the body parts off for stripping and e-coat. Should have the chassis back together over the summer. Then it just depends on how long it takes for bodywork and paint. Btw, the truck in my avatar photo (although obviously not a square) has 275/60s rear and 255/60s front.

[Loco83]

Originally Posted by ltdmstr

I'm going to use 245s on the front which are same diameter. Tires a little small, but should be fine with a mild drop. Guy I bought it from had the thing slammed pretty good and was running 295/70/15s on the back, which barely fit and were almost impossible to get off without messing up the fender/trim. Fronts he had 255/70/15 with spacers. But the inside wall was still all chewed up. Whole thing was a mess. It's going down to the frame for a complete redo. It's a '74 shortbed with 454/TH400. Going back to stock 2-tone color scheme which was Rosedale Red/Frost and white steelies with T/A Radials.

This is my 83 with the 245 and 295's,15x8 and 10's. no rub and 4/5 drop.

[powell72]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

What back-spacing was used? I recall 4" as their standard on 8" wheels.

First of all, gotta say I was hoping you’d chime in on this thread and share some knowledge!

They are 4 1/4” BS. I think that’s the standard on them. All the 62’s I’ve ran have been 4 1/4” BS on 15x6, 15x7, and 15x8’s.

The method I used here would only work for widths up to 8” I would assume without a custom backspace.

The issue with these wheels and the HD drums is the outside mounting surface of the drum is recessed in about a 1/4” deeper than the lip on the outside of the drum, so the lip on the outside edge of the drum hits the backside of the four window openings on the perimeter of the wheels before the inner wheel mounting face touches the drums outer mounting surface. It’s been so long since I’ve seen the back of a GM steel wheel I’d love to see a pic to compare how GM’s windows in the wheels are rolled in compared to Wheel Vintiques.