The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Using Modern Readily Available Tyres instead of 7.00 - 20?

Hello Stovebolters,

Is it possible to replace wheel rims on a 1940 Chevrolet 1.5 Ton truck with more readily available - dare I write Asian wheel rims - instead of the 7.00 - 20 tyres that are currently fitted to my truck? Sorry about writing about something that is possibly sacrilegious. You know the type of tyre I mean - the ones where you can walk into a small rural town and the local tyre bloke will have a nice sized range in stock, at a good price that are waiting on a rack all ready to fit.

While these 7.00 - 20 tyres are available in the US for $235 USD; here in Australia by the time they are imported by tyre companies can be valued at $900 Australian Dollars per tyre. This price does not include getting the tyre to me from their capital city based companies. Add this cost up for two front wheels, four tyres for the dual rear axle and at least one spare tyre by 2 trucks and it reaches the "prohibitive cost" stage.

I am about to approach some Australian customs brokers and some shipping freight companies to work out the cost of a Less Container Load.(LCL) from America to Australia. In an attempt to estimate what it may cost to get the 7.00 - 20 or 7.50 - 20 tyres here in Australia.

I also belong to an international Military Vehicle restoration club that has a number of Australian members. About 8 years ago the members had a "group buy" of a full container of a mixture 7.00 - 20 or 7.50 - 20 tyres. This could be another option to explore.

Alternatively, does anyone know of companies in America who regularly export classic cars to Australia in shipping containers. The type of company who may have some room in their container for some nice new 7.00 - 20 tyres to accompany a classic car to the Land of Oz?

I would prefer using the correct tyres for the era. However, there is not much point having a fully mechanically operation vehicle that can not be driven anywhere because the tyres are unaffordable. Not that the trucks have been restored yet.

I would greatly appreciate it if people have been down the conversion road and let me know what they did and how it worked out?

Kind regards
Lionel

To help answer about possible replacement wheels, what is the present bolt pattern and center bore?

Hello Grigg,

Thank you for your reply - much appreciated. Would measurements - a diagram and photographs being posted up help?

Kind regards
Lionel

We can probably figure it out from any of the above.