The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1954 6400 wheels

Restoring a 1954 Chevrolet 6400 and need some wheels. It came with 3 piece 20" but I'd like to go to one piece so that I can put radials on it. Anyone know a source or have any ideas?

There are vendors that will make wheels but it's expensive. Some of the modern 19.5 10 bolt wheels off motorhomes, heavy duty chevy 1 tons will bolt up but the center hole may not be as small. You also will lose road speed as the 19'5 are considerably shorter.

You can mount tube type radials on the wheels you have just clean them up and make sure they are sound. I'm currently mounting 8.25 X 20 yokohama tube type radials on mine.

This question has come up a few times thus far I don't think anyone has come up with any new direct replacement wheel. Good luck and welcome to the stovebolt page.

I can make sure I have sound wheels with the ones I have and others that I can find. Thanks for the advice on the Yokohama tube type radials. Have you had any trouble finding people that would mount tires on the 3 piece wheels. It is my understanding that they are even illegal in some states. Thanks again for the help.

I've got the radial 8.25 X 20 Yoko's also and they are not a problem. As for repairs, visit one of the "older" tire shops. I've found them to be experianced and willing to work on the three piece rims without hesitation. Welcome!

Welcome to the Stovebolt Page Jim. I'm in Burlington, N.C. Got any pictures of your '54. See my trucks, in the link below.

I think the 3 piece rims are legal it is the split wheels that are out lawed. If you can get a 54 truck shop manuel it shows the 2 different types of wheels.

Hey Jim, From my understanding, any two or three piece wheel is considered a split rim. I just replaced all six tires on my '48 6400. The split rims are not illegal here. I had mine done at a big truck and heavy equipment tire supplier....T&W Tire. A lot of shops have gotten away from doing them because they are very labor intensive, plus they can be dangerous if not mounted up correctly. I don't know whats in your area, but check out the major suppliers like the one I mentioned above and also don't forget about the rural shops that do farm equipment. A LOT of pre-1988 farm trucks with 20" wheels are on the job. They have to have their tire work done somwhere.

Another thing Jim....If you do search out some rims Make sure of the rim width, because if you wind up with rims off of a 4400 truck and try to mount up some 8.50 or 9.00 series tires, they don't like to go on. Espesially the 9:00 tires. You cant get the split rim back together.

I have 9.00x20 tires on my 6400 and they just fit the rims, and they really fill up the front wheel wells. I got a very good deal on them, $800 with flaps and tubes & mounted. They were almost new take offs, still had the little rubber spikes on them. They don't rub the fenders but 8.25 or 8.50 tires would have been a little better fit, but new they would have been around $1200

Wow, I've learned more in 24 hours on the stovebolt website than in a year doing research on my own. Thanks to Lee in the library at ATHS for the referral and thanks to all the stovebolters with their advice. Spanky, I've heard about your collection for some time and hope to get over there to see it. My folks live in Lynchburg, VA, and I'll stop by on my way up there. I don't have the fenders or hood done yet but will try to get some "in progress" photos up soon. Thanks again everybody.

hi my name is Gil i just subscribe to the forum and i wanted to ask anyone if they new where i could get a set of rear wheels for my 54 chevy 1.5 ton out side wheels i think they are 10 bolt pattern they are missing on my truck plus i need a transmission for it the man that sold it to me said the motor is from 1961. Can any 4 speed tranny work. thanks guys for all your help.

You'll have better luck if you go down to the "Parts Wanted Section".
Your truck would use a SM420 transmission.

Where did you buy the 8.25 X 20 yokohama tube type radials?
Do they have a website?

Where did you buy the 9.00x20 tires on your 6400?
Do they have a website?

Thanks,

Do you want to sell the wheels from your 54 chevy.

I had a heck of a time finding wheels for my 1948. I had taken my wheels with tires on them to Les Schwabs in Washington because I couldn't find anyone in my area that would work on them. They were the split rim. They hammered on them and finally got one apart, but they were too rusty to use. I ended up getting one piece rims made by Stockton Wheel in California and putting on radials. The tire height turned out to be pretty darn close to the originals.

Tim, I've got a pair of Yokohama 8.25 radials, but I don't think they make them any more. These guys have 20" tube required in Bias. Samson is one of the better Chinese brands. I use them on my forklifts.

http://www.nebraskatire.com/truck/car

Their top of the line is Yokohama. They could tell you whats available. They might still have some NOS

Hello and Welcome

I also have a 54 6500, Can you post pics of your wheels and truck

Thanks

I too am new to the forum. I’ve always wanted an old truck to fix up. So now I have a 49’ 6400. For me it will be a lot of work. I’m a newbie. I think the split rims are ok in Florida? Anyone know for sure? I just always thought you get replacement conversions. I’d like to just put tube tires back on. The ones on it need to be replaced. They hold air and I can drive it up I’m kinda afraid to go more than just around then square.

I don’t even know where to start. Seems like everything in life. You wade in. The truck was still worked 8 years ago. Grain truck from Nebraska.

Jay,

Welcome

You've posted to a thread that was started in 2006 and was last posted by my50chevy in 2017 and he hasn't been here since December. You should stop into the "Welcome Center" and introduce yourself and then start a new post in "Big Bolts".

To answer your question, if you have solid ring two piece rims, they are still serviceable as long as they aren't rusted to bad. Any Big Truck or Ag Tire shop will work on them for you...car tire shops will not.

Mike B

You also might find Tech Tip informative

Thanks... will do. I’m new to all this I will figure out the forum eventually as well.