The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Wheels?????

I would like to get rid off the widow maker 2 piece. What do you guys use?
I searched but no deff answers. Thank you

If you tell us what truck you have and the existing wheel bolt pattern and tire size, we could help you out.

Ed

its a 54 6500 the current wheels are 3 piece 20x8.25 . after reading a little more on here on dont think i have the widow makers. i would still like to change them.

Those 3 piece wheels are good wheels. I wouldn't be shy about using them at all. They usually don't rust in the vicinity of the locking parts. As long as they're not badly rusted elsewhere I'd just use those. I just got done 'restoring' all 6 of mine. They had been sitting up for 40 years with tires on them. I was sure they were going to be junk before I took them apart. I was pleasantly surprised to find them all still in very good shape. They now have 6 brand new 7.50x20's on them.

Depending on what bolt pattern your truck has - about your only option for a more modern wheel is a 19.5" tubeless wheel. Only problem with that is all your tire choices are going to be significantly shorter and will drastically reduce your top speed on the road.

They have a lil rust, and you are right about loosing top end. I guess il touch these up and buy new tires. Thank you for the reply and info on the wheels.
I wanted to post a pic of the wheel but can't figure it out 🤔

I agree with using the 3 piece wheels. I restored all 6 of mine last winter. I had 3 two piece wheels and 3 three piece wheels. I had one of the 2 piece wheels come apart after hitting a very small pot hole. I was able to purchase some wheels from a couple members on the SB and now I just need to install the other two, but they are on the inside rear and I haven't had a reason to pull them off.

Keep the old wheels. These trucks look to funny with the shorter tires.

Silenpro, bottom left of this page. How to your looking for.

I have a similar question, and it looks like Silenpro had his question answered so I'm just going to add to this thread.
Please move this if I'm wrong.

I started looking at the rims and tires on my truck while waiting on brake parts and I have some weird stuff going on.
I have two good 3 piece rims, two three piece rims with the centers cut out with a torch to fit the larger hub, and one widow maker with a torched out center. Yes, that adds up to five wheels... also part of my problem.

Because the wheels on the truck are hub centered, I don't think the torched rims are very usable. let me know if I'm wrong.

My question is what you guys would do in my situation. Try to find matching 3 piece rims, replace with modern or run what i've got.. Thanks for the help as allways!

First look for good originals, that might be best.
For just getting it on the road the 19.5" wheels would be quick and easy. Might not fit over rear drums, small diameter hurts MPH, and looks small/ strange for a big truck.
If you will drive it a whole lot and for years and years to come perhaps hunt for the 22.5" wheels.

I wouldn't run the modified wheels you have.

A year or so ago I was looking for a set of 10 bolt 22.5" wheels to fit my '63 GMC 4000. I found a set of 10 bolt 22.5" wheels with the smaller diameter bolt (and hub) pattern on a '55 2nd series truck. My truck took the larger bolt pattern. The guy had a shop in Scott City, Ks. He moved his shop, but is still in the area. He may still have the truck. Last month I ended up buying a '65 Chevy C60, just to get the wheels. Now I have an extra truck! My point is that there are 2 different 10 bolt patterns. Make sure and measure the bolt pattern and hub size. JP

The 5/10 on 7.25" are the ones we are talking about.

Ed

When looking for wheels just remember there are 5/10 on 7.25" with 4.75" center hub hole (pre 1955) and with 5.25" center hub hole (post 1955).

Mike B

I've got a 54 with a 5.25in hub. Is my axle not original or do you have your year wrong? I thought the hubs changed a bit earlier than 55

I'm pretty sure I'm right...the AD trucks had the 4.75" and the TF and up have the 5.25". I can't explain why you have 5.25" hubs on your 1954 truck unless someone swapped axles at some point in the life of the truck.

Mike B

I think with the advent of tubeless tires and appropriate wheels, GM went to the larger ID wheels to keep old tube type wheels off 'modern' axles. Adam's '54' might have been an early application.

Ed

I tried a set of 19.5 from my friends RV and fit perfect front and rear. I'm having a hard time finding 8.25x 20 tires. Don't know yet what I'm going to do. I have a question and I looked on the manual but no answer. Between the rear diff and driveshaft there's the Pinion Cage, it has a fill plug. What fluid goes in there? Or just grease? Thank you

Hypoid oil, fill 'til it runs out.

Ed

Here http://www.nebraskatire.com/truck/car
Page 1 and 2 for Hwy and Traction

And any tractor shop can mount them.

Also M E Miller in Ohio has tires for the big bolts.

I just bought six brand new 7.50 x 20's from Chicago Tire for mine. They were $1150 shipped to my house - WITH tubes. I thought it was pretty cheap.

Hi everyone.

I have a 1950 Chev 6400 with a 4.75" rear hub.

I'd like to get new wheels. Accuride doesn't seem to have anything with that bore size.

Does anyone else have 4.75?

Otherwise, is there any kind of sleeve/ring that could slide over the hub to bridge the gap? I've seen references to "hubcentric rings" but these seem to all be in smaller sizes.

What bolt pattern do you have? Probably 5/10 on 7.25". If so, 22.5 wheels are available but hard to find, look on late 50's farm trucks. 19.5's are everwhere, however look undernourished, your choice. Get or make sleeves To go from 4.75" to 5.25".

Ed

The late 50's 22.5" wheels all have the 5.25" hub hole...

Mike B

EdPruss, why do you say 19.5s look "undernourished"? Aren't they but 1/2 inch shorter than stock?

Re the sleeves, I would have guessed that, if the 1/2 inch bore/hub differential is so common, someone would have those already available in the market.

I do not have numbers in front of me. The wheel size may only be .5" smaller though the aspect ration/side wall height is a lot shorter.

Now the 22.5 wheel size is larger though the sidewall height is still shorter then the original 20" tires. Though the modern 22.5" tires will still have the same tire diameter as the original 20" incher's. Jeffrey

The OD is what we are talking about, 22.5's are 5 or 6" larger than 19.5's. 22.5's are a direct replacement, sizewise, for 20's.

Ed

First, if you have not already browsed this thread and the links and tech tips contained in it you may find some of your questions answered. https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread..._and_tires_---_What_to_d.html#Post867617

To put some diameters/numbers to this:
Original 8.25-20 tire
~38.3" diameter

8R19.5 tire, about the tallest (without being extremely wide) 19.5" tire, also fits on the available 10 lug 19.5 wheels.
~33.5" diameter

9R22.5" tire, as narrow as is available for the 22.5" wheels with the 10 lug on 7.25" pattern.
~38.5" diameter

The suitable/available 19.5 tires are 5" shorter than the original and the suitable/available 22.5 tires.

likely no ready made bushings/rings for the later wheels on the early hubs because demand is so very low.

Thanks.

I did read that thread and tech tip - a number of times. What threw me off was the comment that the "19.5s" looked undernourished. 19.5 is the wheel OD - not the tire OD - and is only 0.5" shorter than stock wheel OD.

Yes the important dimension when doing a comparison is the overall tire diameter. Not only looks will be off so will the speedometer.

Then with the 19.5" wheel and tire you will lose top end speed.

I see the confusion now. The 19.5" wheels are close to 20" but the available tire to go on them are a LOT shorter than stock tire size thus the "undernourished" look, and a slower truck.
5" is a lot of difference in tire diameter.

Mike B., 1954 was the first year for the 5.25 hub diameter.

I too had thought some or all 1954 and 55 Advance Design trucks would have the 5.25" center bore but I seem to recall seeing some with the smaller hub.
Am I misremembering or could some 54 models have the small hub still?

Grigg

Negative. All 1954 GM truck hubs were 5.25 diameter. I have a GM filmstrip that list that as one of the significant changes for the new 54 model trucks.

Good to know,
Thanks!

Thanks Spanky!

Mike B

So, '54 and newer have 22.5 tubeless tires and wheels to look for.

Ed

No, 54 and newer with 10 lug on 7.25" bolt circle has the larger 5.25" center bore.
1956-59 Chevy 1.5 ton might have the 22.5" wheels with this pattern. 56 is the first year for 22.5" wheels

just for info sake there is listing on eBay for brand new GKN armstrong w94030 p20 19.5x6 hd 10 lug 7.25 5.25 center rims for $50 a piece b4 shipping . I just paid whole load more for 6 19.5 accurides refinished and delivered. I put 8r19.5 samsons and they fit my 52 4400. to support the center hub I had bushings made up. The speedo is 3 mile per hour off by testing on one of those speed check road side signs i just put this out so a year from now some could benefit this eBay listing which is not mine has more than 10 in stock.