5-lug Hubcap/Steelie Style Wheel Options

[lolife99]

Here are the most common 5-lug (1/2-ton) steel wheels, for 2wd trucks.

These are the 2wd 71-87 (and 88-91 2wd suburban) 15x6.5 steel wheels.
Hard to believe,... but these are getting harder and harder to find.
(like the 6-lug 71-87 version)

Notice the 4-nubs on the o.d. of the center ring?
This holds the standard 1/2-ton hubcap on.

[lolife99]

Here's the confusing wheel.
These wheels are EVERYWHERE.
They are the 88-98 2wd 1/2-ton truck wheels.

These had a small plastic center cap that is either held on by the clips on the back of the 88-89 "fake lugnut style" center cap,...
or with the internal/external threaded lug nuts with the plastic lug nut covers.

These wheels are often confused with the earlier steelies,... but have no "nubs" to hold on the dogdish/poverty style hubcaps.

[lolife99]

Then there is the Wheel Vintiques Series 13 (Smoothie) wheels.
These require a special center cap.
They also do not have the 4 small windows in the wheels like the stock steel wheels.
But these are available in 15"-17" sizes.

They are available in:
Bare steel.
Steel center with chrome lip.
All chrome.

[vegadesign]

this is an option, many different styles that go on the same

mine are 6 lug but same concept

[lolife99]

I prefer the Wheel Vintiques Series 62 steel wheels for the original look.
They come in plain (or the all chrome, series 64 wheel).
Many different bolt patterns.
And 15x6, 15x7, and 15x8 widths.
They have the 4 small windows to duplicate the stock look.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...%2062%20wheels

[lolife99]

Next is a style that our own member, Delmo, has made famous.
Using 20", 22", or 24" Centerline Smoothies with clips added to hold the centercap on.
These wheels are available in many 5-lug bolt patterns and also 6-lug.

These look like the clips that Delmo is using.
https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail...Retaining.html

Or these:
http://www.brotherstrucks.com/prodin...number=HCRC066

Part # 381771 from GMC Pauls:
http://www.gmcpauls.com/60-66_trim.htm
$29.95/set of 20

[lolife99]

One of the latest "steel" smoothie wheels to enter the market are MobSteel wheels.
Available in 18's, and 20's.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546383

Detroit Steel Wheel launch - YouTube

[lolife99]

Then,... the 6-lug guys get 22" steel wheels (besides the Centerline Smoothies aluminum wheels),...
by using GM "Transport" wheels.

These are not for sale at your dealer, but are showing up more and more.
There are some for sale here on the board's Classifieds Section.

These first came to light on this cool truck built by Hale's Speed Shop.
They do have the small '99-2013 center hole and a 6" backspacing.
So "wheel modifications" or spacers might be required to make them work.

These are a cheap alternative to billet wheels, if you can make them work for you.

[Rusbuilt]

Nice write up Keith!
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[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

Nice write up Keith!
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Thanks.
Started out as a thread to clear up the confusion with the 88-98 wheels,... since they won't accept a dogdish style hubcap.
Got a little carried away. Ha.

[lolife99]

The Wheel Smith is also a good source for oem looking steel wheels.
(along with MANY other styles)
They even sell 8-lug wheels.
http://www.thewheelsmith.net/CustomW...cessories.html

[lolife99]

The link below is about 8-lug wheels,... but it's good info on installing "early" hubcaps on later model wheels.
http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/smo...er/hubcaps.htm

Here is a picture of a stock 6-lug clip style wheel.
I believe these were pre-'61 wheels.
(or had a mid-year change in the '61 model)
Anyone know for sure?

[lolife99]

Some "early style" hubcap info:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/hubcaps.htm

[5150]

One more thing Keith, especially since my confusion started this FAQ, did the original 15 inch wheels with the nubs come in 15x8?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 5150

One more thing Keith, especially since my confusion started this FAQ, did the original 15 inch wheels with the nubs come in 15x8?

I've seen alot of 6-lug 15x8 factory GM wheels,... but have never seen a set of factory 5-lug 15x8 wheels.
But with the Series 62 wheels from Wheel Vintiques,... there is no need to hunt for rusty old 5-lug wheels anymore.

[5150]

True, but it's hard to pass up paying $8.41 a wheel at the pullapart versus $82 a wheel plus shipping. Like you said earlier, it's getting harder and harder to find these. Maybe I need to start grabbing them and selling them.

[lolife99]

15x8 5-lug 5x5 pattern wheels are almost impossible to find.
I've never ever seen a set in person.

The 15x6.5 5-lug 71-87 2wd steel wheels are still out there.

The 15x6.5 6-lug steel wheels (71-87 4x4) are getting extremely hard to find.
This is the wheel, that the 6-lug disc brake conversion guys, want.

[STP67-72]

Great write up Keith . Just ran across this thread. I will send you some pictures of some 5 on 5 15x8s. I have 4 oem wheels. You can post them if you like. I was told they came on early 2 wd blazers. I also have some oem 5on5. 15x7s I'm going to try on front???? I will send you info.
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[lolife99]

Originally Posted by STP67-72

Great write up Keith . Just ran across this thread. I will send you some pictures of some 5 on 5 15x8s. I have 4 oem wheels. You can post them if you like. I was told they came on early 2 wd blazers. I also have some oem 5on5. 15x7s I'm going to try on front???? I will send you info.
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Thanks.
I will post them here.
I should have know that YOU would have a set of the rare 15x8 5-lug wheels. Ha.

[STP67-72]

Yeah I know. Im down with the sickness. They are right below the 15x8 6 luggers and down from the 15x7 6 lugger rallies. Im missing two of them, i sold two to the guy you sent me last year from Dallas area. I was told the 2 15x7 5on5 wheels came off a big GM car. I got them blasted and ready to paint. Hope they work out. I will take pictures tomorrow.

[SCOTI]

The 15x7 versions were standard big car equipment (caprice's, station wagons, etc...).

[Rochlow]

15x6.5 6 lug (works with disk breaks) trim rings and 73-up hub caps
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[lolife99]

Thanks to member STP67-72,... I have these pics of some of the more rare 15" 5-lug steelies that came in the 5x5 truck pattern.

First are the 15x7 "big car" wheels found on Impala, Caprice, Wagons, etc.
Notice the 5 "bumps" between the lug stud holes?

Compare that to the 71-87 15x6.5 wheel in the last picture.
These wheels are "smooth" between the lug stud holes.

[lolife99]

Next are the SUPER rare 15x8 5-lug 5x5 bolt pattern wheels.
(Steve thought these came on 2wd blazers)
They look PERFECT on the back of these trucks with dogdish style hubcaps.

Thanks again for the pics from member STP67-72.
(I couldn't help notice all the wheels, on the shelves, in the background!)

[5150]

Keith, what about the possible issue of the 15 inch steel wheels not fitting over drop spindles. I was talking to Dino at the Brothers Show about his truck and he brought that possibility up.
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