The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts New Wheel Tire Combo

Alright I am new this forum and my truck so I have been doing a lot of reading and research and it seems to be that the thing that plagues some a lot more than others is wheel and tire combos, some people have no issues at all getting tires changed out on split wheels and makes it a no brainier for them to keep the stock wheels and just buy tires since they seem to be plentiful online and you can get them shipped to your house. Although there are other people like me that I have not been able to find one local shop or even not local shop YET that can change out my tires for new ones when the time comes ( I like to plan for the future and also can't leave well enough alone) or if you get a flat.


The first obstacle that seems like you need to overcome is the bolt pattern on these old trucks are just old and no one makes wheels that come with our stock patterns, so you will need some wheel adapters.

Second would be wheels you need do decide a size and width, this is something I have been kinda stuck on seems like I read somewhere if I go with a touch taller combo with wheel and tire I may can 1-2mph so I have been leaning towards some 22.5 steel wheels since they seem to be easily found locally to me around 50-100 bucks but the unknown factor is width ?

Lastly is tire size do you go with something that is fairly close to the stock OD to keep truing radius the same and no other issues or something slightly bigger there are a few options out there but the big plus with the change is the availability of wheels and tires and the ease of getting them swapped out.


I wanted to start this thread to tap into the wealth of knowledge in this group and help me figure out the best set up for me and hopefully help others along the way, also for me this would be mostly avoided if I could find someone that could change tires but as of now I have not and looking like I will not be able to do so.


For reference my truck is a 1947 Loadmaster 1.5 ton with factory 20 wheels.

There's a sticky for this: https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...els-and-tires-what-to-do.html#Post867617
You can change the 3 piece rims with the keeper ring yourself. I wrap a chain through the rim and around the tire for safety when airing up.

The problem with the sticky is it’s very old information. Much of the rims discussed there are no longer made, obsolete or nearly impossible to find in 2020.

There is a company that will make brand new steel 22.5s for big bolts. 10x7.25 in either a 5.25 or 4.75 center circle. The company is called wheels now. You may not like the price though, 385 each! I was and still am debating it for my big bolt. They will
Make them in a 6.75, 7.5 or 12 inch widths, I was thinking super singles in the rear with the 12s and 6.75 fronts with skinny tires for easier steering.

First pic cut off the details in bottom right corner

Thanks tony !

That price isn’t cheap but after pricing all of it together plus time it may work out the same or close.


As for the sticky I read it but my problem has been finding people to work on the wheels and there has to be new or updated info by now, along with companies that may make stuff for these trucks.

Hy Jacket4256, welcome, I am sorry that you are having trouble finding a shop that is willing to work on your wheels and tires. Please, please, please remember to tell us the year and model designation of the truck you are asking questions about, suggestions of solutions to your problem will be much better if we all know what truck we are making suggestions about.

Thank you Tony! Finding good lock ring wheels for my 40 are a pain. The prices and shipping seem to run that much per wheel for the old ones. I am not sure if the 22.5 is too big for a 40. I had thought about 19.5 but for now working on other stuff. I will check them out.

Harmon

As we talk about 20" (tube type) vs. 22.5" (tubeless) rims and tires we need to remember that the 22.5's were designed to be exact diameter replacements for the 20's. So, having a 2-1/2" taller rim doesn't always mean you'll have a taller tire/rim combination.

Here's a list of how the tire sized match up...you can have a 22.5 running right next to a 20 as follows;

7.50x20 = 8.25x22.5
8.25x20 = 9.00x22.5
9.00x20 = 10.00x22.5
10.00x20 = 11.00x22.5

Hope this helps,

Mike B

The 19.5 may not fit the rear inner duals. If you look at the backing plate with drums you can see not much clearance with 20s.

I thought i did will edit op so that it reflects this.

Mike always in with clutch info, thanks

I wouldn’t definitely be against a taller tire may help me get up and go a touch faster lol

Thank you Mike.