47-55.1 15" 8Lug wheels

[chtr65]

Can anyone tell me if the 52 3/4 ton trucks came with 8 Lug 15" non split rims. I have a friend that has a 52 3/4 ton truck with 8 lug split rims. I suggested he replace the split rims with non split 15" rims. I actually don't know if there is such a rim. 15" 8 lug non split? Thanks in advance.

[dsraven]

8 lug is usually a 16 or larger wheel. lose the split rims though, before somebody gets hurt when they fly apart. keep them as an "original parts, for show only".

[dagnabbitt]

I agree on ditching the split rims. Eight lug 15" rims exist but they are hard to find. If you search this forum it seems that they came on some F*rds. You can find them aftermarket too.

[mr48chev]

There were 8 lug steel non split rims in the late 60;s and the 70's but they are indeed hard to find now.

Personally I would go with stock 16 inch steel wheels or after market steel wheels that were 8 lug and around 6 inches wide. Summit shows a 16x6.5 8 lug steel wheel made by Dorman. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/R...+5de92d185c92b

Remember too that with 8 lug a lot of Ford and Dodge wheels fit so for plain steel wheels the list of what works expands a lot. the only issue is the center hole can be different but that is usually an issue for 4x4 folks rather than 2 wheel drive.

The GM heritage center vehicle info kit for 52 trucks shows 52 3600 as using a 700 17 tire. That one is 31.60 tall. https://www.gm.com/content/dam/compa...olet-Truck.pdf

There are trailer wheels that aren't too spendy but they may not be DOT approved for even stock old 52 trucks although they should hold up fine. You see a lot of FB posters telling folks that they can get six or 8 lug wheels from E trailer but unless they are actually DOT approved for use on a truck it could come back to bite you if you were in an accident and the wheel/tire was the issue. I'd say it is more tire than wheel on that though. To me not a big issue on a truck that isn't going to be driven over 55 mph and isn't going to be driven hard. You aren't going out and do corner carving in a 52 Chevy 3600 truck that is primarily stock.

[weim55]

I have a ‘50 3600 3/4 ton and dealt with this same issue myself. It is not that Difficult to come up with non split 16” steel rims that will work as long as you don’t care about running the original hubcaps. I insisted on keeping the original hubcaps and after extensive research, searching for used everywhere I could think of: 15 or 16 inch non split steel wheels that will accept the factory 3/4 hubcap are unobtainium. My research showed that some Forward control 3/4 ton models in the 50s - 60s May have used a non-split 16 inch but I have never been able to locate a set.

In the end, I Restored the Original split 15” With new tires and tubes. They work Just fine with new radials. I will argue that there is nothing dangerous whatsoever about this two-piece design as long as the wheels have been inspected and they are not rusty.-weakened. The two-piece design of these wheels is considerably stronger and safer than the more typical three-piece that are used in most applications. Installed correctly i it is absolutely impossible for the wheel and ring to come apart.

I would be curious if your friend did come up with a solution of a non-split wheel that would retain the original three-quarter ton hubcap.

Steve weim55 Colorado