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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 73 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 73 | I have 59 firetruck that I plan to convert from steel 10 lug original steel wheels to 10 lug aluminum wheels. Some of the members may remember seeing my truck before on this site. I know that the lug studs need to be longer since the aluminum wheels are thicker than the original steel wheels. My thinking is that the front studs have to be changed to longer studs and the rears could be used as is if I use a steel inter wheel and use longer studs for the outer. If anyone has made this swap let me know if my thinking is correct. Any other comments about this swap is welcome. thanks Geary | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | May not need longer studs at all, just measure and see, or test fit.
With the aluminum wheels do the studs protrude out of the nuts at all, if so you're good to go.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2018 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2018 Posts: 46 | Are you replacing widow makers or just upgrading wheels?
Stuff I’m gonna work on, I swear
1963 C30 flatbed
1961 Apache 30 (parts, no title)
1960 GMC Big Bolt
Don't tweet, face, Google, or link. Just hanging in as long as I can...
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 73 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 73 | Thanks for the replies. I will measure to make sure but by eye the studs look too short. I want to put more modern wheels to put on radial tires and for the aluminum wheel look. I bought four aluminum wheels from a Peterbilt and two modern steel wheels for the rear inters. The tires on this truck are square after 50 years.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2018 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2018 Posts: 46 | Please add some pics when you've got them on. That's something I'd like to see! ;-)
Stuff I’m gonna work on, I swear
1963 C30 flatbed
1961 Apache 30 (parts, no title)
1960 GMC Big Bolt
Don't tweet, face, Google, or link. Just hanging in as long as I can...
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 199 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 199 | They make extended reach lug nuts so you can put aluminium wheels with the short studs. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | Except if the studs already fit real close in the lug holes in wheel.
Or if it’s a Budd stud centered wheel, only one kind of nuts available.
What is the original bolt pattern, and do the new wheels match? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 73 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 73 | The wheels I bought are stud centered wheels and match the bolt pattern of the original wheels. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | That’s good news, Budd wheels were very common
I suspect plenty of stud choices to get some the length you need. Remember left hand thread on left side of truck. | | |
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