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Joined: Mar 2005
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I’ve acquired 6 Dodge Ram 4500 10 lug 19.5 wheels . Centers from original 18” dual wheels are a perfect fit. I’ve seen a truck already running wheels done this way I’ll try to post a pic when I can find it. 225/70r19.5 tires are common as dirt and very affordable, they’re within an inch of the height of the original 700-18 tires.
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0F71491B-E16D-4F79-B410-43398C427D70.jpeg (400.08 KB, 395 downloads)
C5426518-D8FB-449A-ACF5-F8830CB6B4C3.jpeg (441.16 KB, 381 downloads)


Robert French MY3800FIRETRUCK
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Very nice!

I've done the measurements and thought this was possible, glad to see someone finally make 19.5" wheels with original 8 hand hole centers.

You should be able to use many if not all 19.5" rims you may find, not just from a Dodge, measure the inside diameter of donor rim compared to the outside diameter of you original center. Some machine work may yet be necessary for a good fit.

Look at 8R19.5 tires, also very available and they're taller a little than the original 18" tires and still skinny, they look good and you go faster. They look best on a 6" wide rim, but also fit 6.75" rim if that's what you want to use.


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
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Grigg, the dodges are the only one I know of that measure right but I’m sure there’s more. I know the 19.5 GM stepvan wheels I had on my old 1 ton and like I think you have on your GMC are too small. The 8r19.5 would be my first choice but they are just too expensive, not so much for steer tread but the only drive or mud treads available are from the top name brands and you’re talking $350 and up apiece. I know I could go with steer tread tires in the back but it’s just not the look I want. I like these: https://www.tirerecappers.com/tires/mud-terrain-tires/lt22570r19-5-retread-lug-mt/

Last edited by bluechev; 03/05/2019 1:18 AM.

Robert French MY3800FIRETRUCK
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Here we go! Pics of ones already done!
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Robert French MY3800FIRETRUCK
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A teacher, but always an apprentice.
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That is a cool truck! How did you do the hood? Did you splice a regular 3100 hood into a big bolt hood?
How did you build the back doors?


1970 Chevrolet C10
Grandpa's -- My first truck -- In progress to shiny
Follow the build in the Project Journal
1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually
"Ole Red Girl"
In the Stovebolt Gallery
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1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's
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1951 GMC 9300 | 1951-GMC 9430 | 1951- Chevrolet 1300
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I didn’t build the guy who did just gave me the idea for the wheels. It’s on an 07 duramax chassis. I like it too but my style is way more old school than that.


Robert French MY3800FIRETRUCK
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This is nice to know! I've been wanting to do something similar to some 17.5 singles I have off my '58.

Whats the inside diameter on those 19.5 wheels?

Last edited by Possum; 03/05/2019 6:29 PM.

1949 Chevy 3100 (In the family since new)
1955.5 Chevy 3100 - in the DITY Gallery - (Dad's truck)
1955 Chevy 6500 - in Big Bolts - (Possible parts truck?)
1958 Chevy 3800 w/9 ft bed - in Project Journals - (Current project)
1959 Chevy Spartan 10400 - in Big Bolts
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Originally Posted by Possum
This is nice to know! I've been wanting to do something similar to some 17.5 singles I have off my '58.

Whats the inside diameter on those 19.5 wheels?
17” plus a little.


Robert French MY3800FIRETRUCK
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A quick how to on this new idea would be nice. Looks like a very good option. Do you need to cut out the centres? Thanks

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Originally Posted by can216
A quick how to on this new idea would be nice. Looks like a very good option. Do you need to cut out the centres? Thanks
Yes the centers will need to be removed from the 19.5 Dodge wheels on a lathe. The original centers are removed by drilling out the rivets and slitting the rim with a torch or grinder. I’ll certainly write up a how too but it’ll be awhile as I’ve got several projects in front of it and money for machine shop work is non existent at the moment.


Robert French MY3800FIRETRUCK
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Patiently waiting on the how to.
It looks great and nothing else looks as good on a stock truck.


55 250 8 GMC Flatbed
67 M715
69 CJ5
72 M35A2 Bobbed
75 CJ6
80 K3500 Flatbed
95 XLC2
71 C30 Flat Bed

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Originally Posted by 95xlc2
Patiently waiting on the how to.
It looks great and nothing else looks as good on a stock truck.

The machine shop I talked to said it’ll cost $30-40 to get the dodge centers turned out so I guess I’ll need another 120-160 to enlarge the original centers further dodge rear end im using. Send me a few s I’ll get right on it. 🤣


Robert French MY3800FIRETRUCK
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Old, noncomputer lathes are quite reasonable. Easy to do your own work with a little learning. Look around town, might find a friend or a school who would let you learn.

Ed

Last edited by EdPruss; 05/12/2019 3:39 AM.

'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.

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