The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Econoline wheels for my 3800. What do I do with them?

OK...somehow double clicked submit and locked everything up and lost my post...

I picked up some Econoline rims for my '51 3800 recently. They are old enough to have the right bolt pattern. I have a "set up" front axle from an old 3600 frame that we've put them on for now.

They look to clear everything...just. Putting them on the rear they clear...just.

So my questions are:

1) Do I need any spacers? I have some of the GMT400 dually front spacers (about 1/4" thick) that have the alignment pins ground off and can get another pair easy enough.

2) Do I need to change to the larger lug nuts/studs for these rims?

3) How many spring clips do I need to hold the hubcaps on? I have about 10 17" split rims here and anywhere from 3 to 5 clips on them! What is the "right" amount?

4) Are 3100 hubcaps the same as 3600/3800? I don't have any here to compare but always assumed 3600/3800 are deeper to clear the axle ends on the rears. I even have a pair with holes in them that look like they came from later 4x4 axles where you'd have to deal with lockout hubs.

Thanks!

If you are talking about the AD years, the 3600 and 3800 caps are the same, I believe. The clips are longer than the 1/2 Ton ones. There have been posts showing how to mount the clips. I think Denny Graham has some great photos on it. My rims just clear at the front and unless I have a bearing failure or something, that won't change.

Yes, AD years. I have a 47, 49, and 51 3800 and a 49 3600.

Are the 3100 hubcaps the same as 3600/3800?

No, the 3100 hubcaps are different. I think also that the clips are shorter and they are the only ones offered new by the vendors.

I'm going to recover clips from some of my old rims. I had someone try to convince me the 3100s were the same. I didn't think so but had none to compare to. I realize I have 6 trucks and NONE were ever 1/2 tons!

Thanks for the lead. Searched and found:

http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/smokey_culver/hubcaps.htm

Looks like 4 is the magic number. I was going to rivet but looks like screws win.

So far this is sorted:
4 clips (via screws)
No spacers needed (I may use them because I have them JUST in case)
3600/3800 are different caps from 3100

Final question open:
Did you change lug studs to the larger diameter when running these rims?

I didn't change the studs. I bought some nice chrome nuts that have a long wide taper and they did just fine. I think they may be called bulge lug nuts like shown here. bulge lug nuts I have 30K miles on the truck now and I have not had a problem with them.

Thanks for all of your input.

Not sure exactly what you mean by "spacer". None of the GMT400 Duallies I've ever service had any kind of spacer, other than the dual wheel adapter for the front. Are you actually talking about the plate that goes on the outside of the wheels? If so, those are not meant to be used as a spacer, as they have the seats for the lug nuts machined into them, along with a raised lip around each lug hole. That will not allow the wheel to fit flush to the hub, potentially causing poor lug torque and wheel loss.

Those would be the spacers I'm talking about. But they go behind the wheels on the front, do they not? Now you have me doubting myself it has been so long since I've had one apart.

I think Dan was worried about the rims on the front not clearing the tie rods, etc., but his do clear so it isn't a problem.

They go on the outside, there's an identical plate on the rear wheels as well. They're basically a torque plate for the wheel.

True, they JUST clear the front on the tie rods. I liked the 1/4" additional space, too. If they go on the outside, then I'll come up with something else!

I think there has been some confusion generated in this thread. There were heavy duty trucks that had 5 studs on the front and 10 on the back. The rims were centered by the hub and they had a round plate that went on the outside of the wheel. The lug nuts bolted up against the plate. This was for strength.

Your 1 Ton has rims that are centered by the lug nuts. You can buy spacers that are made of metal, to go between the back of the rim and the hub or drum. Most of us would not recommend that from a safety point of view. You would also want to make sure that there was still enough length in the stud.

The GMT400 trucks (88-00) with dual wheels have a similar plate and mounting method, only with 8 lugs instead of the 5/10 pattern.

The dual wheel trucks are hub centered. Single wheel trucks are stud centered, 8 lug same bolt pattern.

That reminds me of something I neglected to mention, those plates are for dual wheel only.

Thanks, Griggs. That is important forme. I am glad.they are stud centered. I Wil probably move up to 9/16" studs for society's sake.