The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Some wheel and tire help

A friend in the lower 48 called me and wanted help. They have to move a 54 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup that has sat for 30 years, all tires flat. I told him to try air first, maybe some will hold. My question is what other wheels might fit right on there to get him out of the spot? What he has are 8 lug, could they be split rim? I could not answer these questions, please help! Dave

Ford, Dodge, Toyota, etc. how far does he have to move it? Flatbed trailer rent or borrow, would not have to get and wheels and tires.

Ed

Thanks

They should be 8 lug on 6.5" diameter circle. All dodges still run these. Chevy ran them up to 2011, ford ran them til 1999. A lot of trailers still run them. It should not be hard to find something at a junkyard, friend's spare,...

Jon

https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Trailer-Radial-Mounted-circle/dp/B00AU9I7CE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IR7FJKBYHH7O&dchild=1&keywords=8+lug+trailer+wheels&qid=1597275282&sprefix=8lug+trailer+%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1


These trucks had 1/2” studs and the newer trucks are 9/16 or 14mm stud. Trailer wheels for 7k lb axles have smaller stud holes.

Nobody mentioned that airing up old split rim tires can be very dangerous.

A 54 Chevy 3/4-ton wheel is not technically a split rim. That said, caution should be used airing up one with a flat tire, if the detachable rim (ring) has come unseated from the wheel. I would suggest jacking it up to get the weight off before inflation. Is the goal to get it on a trailer?

The 1954 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manualhas some information about 1 piece, 2 piece/sections, and 3 piece/sections rims.

Just call a tow truck, preferably a slide-back with a winch.

It should be mentioned that while many 8 lug 6.5" wheels will bolt up, an offset may cause interference with the tie rod ends. You need a wheel with little or no offset or the front wheel can not seat. I've read that some Ford van wheels will work. I'm using newer GM wheels with 1-1/2" deeps adapters (shims) temporarily on the front until I can find a set of more suitable wheels.

I hate split rims, two personal accounts of men being killed or maimed by them. My dad in 1968 refused to have any of his employees mount tires or even air up the tires of old or new split rims. He was one of the first to have a cage then after several weeks cut the whole rig up. I'm a big history and authentic fan. When it comes to items that kill or maim a person only pictures of the item or a dismantled one will be shown in my museum. I'm sure the old timers had safe guards (somewhat), but it's not worth the risk. Doc.