The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Wheels - 22.5 10 bolt on 7.25 circle, really?

Do they really exist?
Been looking for, what I believe are, late '50's Viking wheels. 22.5 x 7 (give or take) wide 10 bolt 7.25 circle wheels.
Many hours/days of searching and calling = nothing.
Haven't even found a used Viking for sale with that size wheels.

No use calling around, they will not know what you are looking for, have to go there yourself, all I have found are on 1.5 or 2 ton farm trucks.

Ed

Hy Jim Sears, yes they do exist, I have a set on a 1956 15 series. In 1956 GM converted their whole production even Chevy trucks to tubeless tires. Needless to say many people didn't trust the idea of tubeless tires on their trucks so they paid the extra cost to have their trucks outfitted with tube type tires and multi-piece wheels, that is why the tubeless wheels are so rare, hope that helps.

I've collected a couple sets and seen others on trucks at shows and occasionally on a truck on eBay or Craigslist.
I'm sure they're out there if you keep after them.

I've only ever found them at 5.25" wide.

One set I have with bad rims I'd like to use the centers on a 6" rim, then they'd fit a 9R22.5 tire by the book.

Thanks,
If 1 piece 10 bolt 22.5 rims started in '56 What year did they change to 8 bolt. That is all I've been able to find.

56-59 Chevy (not GMC) 1.5 ton.

The 2 ton Chevy and and all GMC used 6 lug Budd in that range (GMC may have also had other patterns but not 10 lug on 7.25")

But the wheels could be on any old truck with 10 lug on 7.25" at this point, same as you want them for a truck that didn't come with them.

Thanks Grigg.
A disadvantage to being here in New England is the lack of big old farm trucks. Small New England farms and our roads meant that there were never very many Grain trucks and most junk yards sent that stuff to the scrapper long ago.
Looks like made to order wheels are going to be the answer. At least I know all 6 will fit correctly and be straight and no rust.
Wheels Now will do them (22.5 x 6.75) with correct center and bolt pattern for $410

Is that each? Wow. The blue Chevy COE in the recent WOT was at Springfield, MO, I spoke with him, he had them made, perhaps in land of fruits and nuts(CA) said they were expensive, you might contact him.

Ed

Yes Each.

Ed, the wheels you speak of were old 6 lug Budd they cut the center pattern out of and welded new plates in with correct bolt pattern. I've seen them in person, certainly a solution but they look strange to me with the oversized flat center.
I thought he said Stockton wheel but might have been Wheels now. I hear better things about "wheels now".

Jim, too bad that can't do 6" wide, is no one making blank 22.5X6 rims any more?
Or are you wanting 10R22.5 tires?

Ed,
That was me with the COE and yes I had the wheels made in CA. I used Stockton Wheels, and they cost $275 per wheel in 2008,powder coated to the color I wanted. That firm is under new ownership so I have no knowledge of their work. I am still happy with my wheels, enjoy the ride with radials (you need all the help you can get sitting on top of that front axle with no shocks). To be clear, I am not anti split rims but I had the Firestone RH-5s all around and wanted to scrap them.

Some folks don't like the look of the tubeless wheels with the drop center and if I came across 6 split rims of another type that were in good condition, I would consider going back to bias tires.

Kent

These will be 6-3/4 wide. I'm looking at several tire sizes to arrive at a good diameter, about 37". (the 8.25-20 is 38 - 38-1/2)and the width to get lock to lock without rubbing. 255-70R22.5, 235-75R22.5, 9.00R22.5 etc.
Wheels Now has a great turn around now since they took the new name. From approval of the drawings, they ship in days not weeks. 2 full time CNC machines making centers.

If I'm not mistaken 9R22.5 is the tallest and skinniest of those choices and tall and skinny looks good on these trucks. They fit a 6" or 6.75" wheel, the narrower wheel helps with the tall skinny look, also keeps tighter turning radius before tires scrub back side of springs.