Stupid ways to waste money on my truck...How'd I do??

[ChevLoRay]

Okay, so my truck's in for body/paint. I need to put some rollers on it that won't be bothered by the process. I saw a '60 that had just gotten a new set of wheels/tires, and the old ones were available in the carport. So, $20 later and I have a set of four good 6-hole 15's for my use.

Step two. Get some tires that are capable of the task. Couple calls and I land a set of take-offs for $100, mounted and balanced. Good. Drove by the tire shop. Truck is sitting...two body-shop rollers and two good wheels. Good ones are on the front. Disc brakes on the front. Old wheels won't work with disc brakes. Wasted at least $60, huh?

Bottom line? Five lug discs would have let me have a lot more latitude on wheel choice, but I was stubborn and stayed with the six-lug....to keep the old wheels that would have worked for the body-shop thing, which I had already sold. Dumb.

Gotta go find some 6-hole wheels that will work with my discs....and more money to do it with.

Truck = a hole in the air, surrounded by metal, rubber and glass, into which I continue to pour money.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Okay, so my truck's in for body/paint. I need to put some rollers on it that won't be bothered by the process. I saw a '60 that had just gotten a new set of wheels/tires, and the old ones were available in the carport. So, $20 later and I have a set of four good 6-hole 15's for my use.

Step two. Get some tires that are capable of the task. Couple calls and I land a set of take-offs for $100, mounted and balanced. Good. Drove by the tire shop. Truck is sitting...two body-shop rollers and two good wheels. Good ones are on the front. Disc brakes on the front. Old wheels won't work with disc brakes. Wasted at least $60, huh?

Bottom line? Five lug discs would have let me have a lot more latitude on wheel choice, but I was stubborn and stayed with the six-lug....to keep the old wheels that would have worked for the body-shop thing, which I had already sold. Dumb.

Gotta go find some 6-hole wheels that will work with my discs....and more money to do it with.

Truck = a hole in the air, surrounded by metal, rubber and glass, into which I continue to pour money.

If you just want stock, 15" steel wheels, remember that GM put disc brakes on 4x4s in 1971. If you find a set of 6-lug 4wd stock steel wheels from 71-87, they should work for you.

[ratrod67]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Truck = a hole in the air, surrounded by metal, rubber and glass, into which I continue to pour money.

AMEN!!

[jorgensensc]

Ha!! Similar situation. My '68 has a late model front crossmember etc for disk brakes...5x5 bolt pattern (73-87). My original rear has 6 lug. I see a set of spidercaps that I fall in love with and decide that is the look for me 200.00. Problem is they only make them in 5 x 4 3/4 and 5 x 4 1/2 bolt pattern. Hmmm, what to do. Well the rear axles get ordered from Moser and drilled for both 5 x 5 and 5 x 4 3/4 (in case I ever change my mind) 300.00. Then I need to lower the truck a little, so I need drop spindles. Unfortunately they only make drop spindles for the 1.25" rotors (heavy duty brakes) and you guessed it, I have 1" regular duty brakes. I buy the drop spindles (good deal 100.00), then new 1.25" Calipers 70.00, thennew rotors that have been redrilled for 5 x 4 3/4 150.00. Now I have the steel wheels off the old Bel Air, so I get them Powdercoated red 275.00. Next I get some front drums off the Belair since they will fit the rear of the truck and bolt pattern (free, luckily) and rear drop springs 90.00. 3" wide white wall tires 800.00. Then I realize my wheels won't fit over the hub of the front rotors. get the hubs turned down 80.00. So now I'm into the wheels and tires for 2065.00 and the look will probably be outdated by the time I get the truck done. Darn Fads!!!! So don't feel bad about 60.00. It could be worse. Throw the wheels on CL and keep the tiers for the right set of wheels.
Shawn

[Mondo]

This would be a good "lessons learned the hard way" thread.

I have a 72, with a 4/6 drop, turning into parts truck, and a 67 almost done truck. I went to take off the lower A arms as the have a 2inch lowered spring perch. I couldn't get the ball joint off and resorted to buying dropped spindles for the 67.
When I took it to the shop, the guy said I could of disconnected the top of the spindles, brought it all in and he would of seperated it...... $200 later

I do plan on putting them on sometime in the future. That way I start with a 4 and half inch drop and can order springs in 1 inch increments (I think 5 inch would be about right on the front of my truck).

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by mrein3

If you just want stock, 15" steel wheels, remember that GM put disc brakes on 4x4s in 1971. If you find a set of 6-lug 4wd stock steel wheels from 71-87, they should work for you.

Yeah, I know. I just saw a set of wheels that I knew were right (at one time) and bit. My dad used to say, "The first one to mention money, loses." Well, I didn't offer...the lady told me what she'd take. I don't feel bad about buying four wheels that won't do me much good....

I gotta do some more detective work to find the right wheels.

Life is good.