The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1948 GMC 2 ton wheel restoration

Hello all,

I am looking for actual experience of restoring these wheels. I call them split lock ring wheel. I know these are safe and are not widow makers.

Anyway, any actual experience of taking apart, cleaning, painting, tubing, , boots, new tires, mounting and detailing these?

Thanks,

BaconFarms

You have a two piece rim. Take the air out of the tires,take top ring off ( tire bar or large pry bar) Turn over ( use some soap and water ) around tire bead. If you have tire hammer its quick if not break the bead all around rim ,tire should fall off rim at some point. Next step send out to be sand blaster-ed and powder coated any truck tire shop will do this for you(Tire truck Shop) and also will check your rims out in the processes .They will come back like new. Cost is about $100 to $150 per wheel ,Look around for best price ..
I've done hundreds of these rims over the years. Install is even easier, just make sure lock ring is in all the way. That ring will hurt you real bad if not seated. Also get remote filler so you are not next to the tire and rim.
Have fun, No a bad job Just Be Safe

What I would suggest is take them apart, clean them up good and inspect for bad rust pitting, cracks and make sure all the parts match. Also a good idea to not mix parts, it's a good practice to keep the rings with the dedicated wheel.
If all good, prime and paint, not too thick.
Install new tires tubes and flaps, you went all that way already, don't cheap out there. Anyway, usually come in a package deal when purchase new.
Use a good amount of tire lube, slightly inflate the tube and install both tube and flap inside the tire, then slide the tire over the lower part of the rim using lube on the flap, and make sure everything is at the right place, then install the top part. Rules of thumb, split 180° from the valve.
If you do not have a safety cage, you can inflate to about 15 psi, Mount them on the truck to inflate at a distance. For the front, wrap a chain loosely around, then inflate. Make sure all part are locking good. Go for a ride and recheck.
In my neck of the woods, 7.50-20 are impossible to find, if you have 6.00" or 6.50" wide wheels, go with 8.25-20. cheeper and readily available.

My Good Year big-truck tire dealer had no concern, and no problems, mounting Samson Hi-Way Express 9.00x20 truck tires on my 1954/55 2-ton COE's original 3-part rims (with heavy duty truck inner tubes, I think).

https://www.nebraskatire.com/brands/samson

Thanks guys,

One concern answered was keeping the ring with the wheel it came off of during the process. I think a simple punch mark will suffice.

First challenge will getting the truck fired up. Then go from there.

BaconFarms

I will add that I have some experience with this type of wheel, but that was in the military. We had a guy break his arm in Iraq when he had his arm in the tire cage while airing a tire up. Sent home. Million dollar injury.

Anyway, just was curious for knowledge on these vintage wheels and how they would differ.

Thanks again guys,

BaconFarms

7.00R20 New Samson GL283A

#88064-2

$190.00

They have 7.50's also at $145.00

My truck has 7.50's on front and 7.00's on back. Will have to find out what came on it when new.

Thanks for the link on tires.

They are rated a 120 psi, what do you guys think for psi on an old truck??, used manly once or twice a year for parades etc...

Thanks,

BaconFarms

That's quite a collection of Big Bolts you have there!

I was told that my 54/55 GMC 2-ton multipart rim was not the the "killer" style.

Maybe someone can describe the difference. I think one difference is that the dangerous style mated around the inner-center of the wheel halves?

Try the first post and included links in this thread, sticky at top of big bolt section.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...els-and-tires-what-to-do.html#Post867617

One of those links is a picture of an RH5 wheel in cross section, these are the wheels to avoid.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tBSyw7RCgbIsaz602

7.00/20 tire size, would have never been on that 2 ton truck originally. It would have rolled off the assembly line with 7.50/20, on the front, and 8.25/20 on the rear. with an option of 8.25/20 front, and 9.00/20 on the rear. It was normal later to have 8.25/20 all the way around.