Dumb Question of the Day. Or is it Brilliant?

[jorgensensc]

Caution! If you don't have time to read my long winded dissertation then skip to the last few lines for the question.


So here is the problem. We have this awesome 3/4 Suburban we recently got from a board member ( No that really isn't a problem). My wife LOVES it , but we are having a wheel/tire problem. The tires and wheels that are on it were purchased new in 01. And because they were never driven on the tires have terrible flat spots. Discount tire (where they were purchased) can't do anything because they are older than 5 years old. I went ahead and bought new tires for them to the tune of 650.00 (when did tires get so expensive?), but have not had them installed. Here lies the problem. The aftermarket 16" wheels that are on the burb are new, and nice, however we are going to be doing a 4/6 drop with air bags to get it to an easier entry height for my wife. The wheels will look a little "dated" in my opinion and won't really match. It is darn near impossible to find Good tires in the right size that don't have all terrain tread on them. It is even more impossible to find a set of aftermarket wheels in 8 lug that aren't all blinged up, or don't cost a large fortune. I've shown her everything there is in 8 lug. She doesn't want slots, turbines, or Wagons. She wouldn't mind an all steel original style wheel, but she likes the stainless Dog dish hubcaps (67-68 style) and I think they are harder to find. She doesn't like the 71-72 style hubcaps at all.

I've called stockton and wheel vintique, and neither can really help me out. My wife really wants a simple wheel/tire combo. She really wants nothing more than rally wheels. Is it possible to have a set of steel rally wheel (73 + style) lug nut holes welded up, re- drilled for 8 lug pattern, and use later model 8 lug rally caps on it. Obviously the center hole would have to be enlarged. But other than that, could it be done? At the end of the day it may cost as much as new wheels, but the look would be correct for what she wants. I have thought about converting it over to 5 lug, but we would like to retain the big 3/4 ton brakes and the rear end. Do you think it could be done? Is the center area in the middle before the raised area wide enough for the 8 lug? All opinions are wanted and suggestions and ideas are desired. BTW, the last time I asked a shop about redrilling rotors and axles they told me 150 per piece, so I don't think that is an option.
Shawn

[steelhorse]

What about late model wheels?

[jorgensensc]

She has looked at those, they just aren't what she has a "Vision" of her burb looking like. We even looked at Hummer wheels with a Chevy Center cap. Again, not quite what she has in mind.
Shawn

[ChevLoRay]

Early Classic Enterprises, in articles contained in Classic Trucks (or was it Custom Classic Trucks) did a conversion on a 3/4-ton truck to enable a drop and 5 (coulda been 6) lugs.

What are you gonna do with the Burb as a 3/4-ton vehicle that you would not be able to do with it as a 1/2-ton? You can get the rallye wheels you want in a 16" diameter that would let you use the new tires you have and have the look that makes your bride happy. Wheel Vintique makes the rallye wheels in several diameters. They may be available from Summit Racing, too.

[jorgensensc]

Converting to 5 lug is pretty easy, but then you lose the larger brakes on the 3/4 ton. THen changing over the rear end becomes a hassle. I know the regular 1/2 ton rear end axles are fairly easy to change (I have done that on mine), but I don't know about these 3/4 ton rear ends. I planned on making this our work horse also. Using it to tow car trailers, maybe even a travel trailer if I can get my hands on the airstream I saw. At the end of the day the cost would be about the same to convert it over to 5 or 6 lug. I just want to explore my options before giving into doing all of that. She really doesn't want me tearing this thing apart right now either. I already have my truck torn apart. The urgency is only because the tires I ordered from Discount have arrived. As long as I don't get them mounted I can return them. I'm still not entirely sold on the tread pattern on the wheels I chose. They have a little bit of a Rugged All Terrain look, and she really wants a nice street looking tire. I am sure I am making this way to complicated. Much like when I converted my truck to 5 x 4 3/4 just so I could use the wheels I already had, only to change my mind and convert it back to 5 x 5. Ohh the Drama!
Shawn

[MrBeast]

I think these would look mighty fine on a burb. anbd they are an 8 lug.

[CG]

Maybe give these guys a call. I hear good things about them all the time.

http://www.rallyamerica.com/

[67mater]

so, they are 16.5" but I have a set of 5 original 8 lug 68 GMC steel wheels. Is there any reason they would not work?

[jorgensensc]

THanks for the great ideas guys!! Now lets get creative!!! Rally america wasn't able to help either, but we may have a solution... Bare with me. I need to find out what the center ring where the hubcap measures in Diameter for an 8 lug vs 5 (or 6) lug rally. If anyone has the measurement for the 8 lug and a 6 lug, I can get a 5 lug measurement. THe idea is this: Get a stock style steel wheel made in a 17" size, but with out the 4 slots on the edges (welded up like a smoothie. Then get the slots cut out on a water jet machine. They would be large enough (diameter) so that the holes would still be far enough away from the center hub circle so they would look right. I think somebody makes a 17" trim ring, then you slap a set of late model 8 lug ralley caps on and there you have it. The first set of 8 lug ralleys! Does it sound like it could work?
Shawn

[jorgensensc]

67 mater,
THey may be a solution too. can you get a 16.5" tire that isn't an all terrain style? Are the original steel wheels 8" wide? Would you snap a pic for me?
SHawn

[jorgensensc]

I think we have a solution. We found a wheel that she seems to like, I like, is modern, but not too modern. It is the Dick Cepek DC-1. The only thing I am trying to figure out is:
1) Will a 18 x 9 with 4.5" backspacing fir on the front, without hanging out past the lip of the fender?
2) We like the chrome, but it is really expensive and the bling factor is a little high. I really like a machined finish and not a polished finish (less maintenance), Unfortunately only their painted version comes with a machined finish on the parts that aren't painted. I wonder if I could get them to machine finish a whole wheel instead of just part of it.
3) The other solution is to get them to use the heavy clear they use on the painted wheels and get them to clear the polished wheel.
What do you guys think?
Shawn

[FormerMember]

Why not grab a stock 16" wheel from a mid 70-90's one ton and mount your tires? Add a 16" trim ring and hub caps and you're stylin?

Trying to figure out what all the fuss is...

I have a set of those hubs caps hanging on my wall!