The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 10 bolt wheels / 20"split rims -help!

does anybody have a source for 20" split rims? or another plan for getting tires on my '46 1 1/2 ton?

Put an add in truck parts wanted.

But be careful and state exactly how many you want, because most people are looking to replace the split rims with a modern wheel that is easier to get tire shops to work on.

I'm not sure where 'da up, eh' is, but if that's British Columbia I'm coming to visit tomorrow and might be tempted to dump a pile of 10-lug 20 inch split rims in your yard...

Seriously, these wheels should not be hard to find if you ask for them in parts wanted. Most people don't want them.

I have 1951 4400 series truck that i have been using for parts. Pretty sure that is the size of wheels on it. would part with them very cheaply. Let me know if you are interested. I will check the truck tommorrow for exact size
scott

Scott:

You appear to be a fairly new member to the 'Bolt, and I give you a hearty "Welcome."

John told me to be sure to welcome new friends and keep everybody in line, so along with that welcome comes a mild admonishment concerning buying and selling.

Yeah, we all need to pass information on and offer things to our friends, and if you want to be real specific with someone, I encourage you to post the item(s) in the Swaps and refer everybody here to look for you in the Swaps link. Or you can ask the person for an e-mail address and comunicate directly.

Last time I checked, the ad is free, although I imagine John and Peggy would appreciate a kind donation if you start making a bunch of money.
John comes lookin' for me if I don't keep this rowdy bunch from doin' things that the rules say are prohibited.

Don't worry, he won't storm around very long and we can all get back to doin' truck stuff again.

Be careful throwing the term "split rim" around...


There was a true "split rim" 20" wheel used on trucks on the '50s & '60s that was in two halves, separating im the middle of the rim gutter.

I'm pretty sure these have been outlawed by the US Department of Transportation, about 20 years ago. Reputable tire shops are supposed to confiscate them ( at least that's the story I've gotten in Pennsylvania).

Allegedly, there were enough problems with these rims coming apart on the road, and causing injury that they have been banned.

Try to find the rims with the removeable side ring: these are usually three-piece: Rim, side ring, and locking-ring.

If it looks like it comes apart in the center of the rim, stay away from it.

Lots of folks refer to any multi-piece rim as a "split-rim", but that's not necessarily true...

There may also have been split rims in 18", 19.5", and perhaps 22" .

Good luck - I found one "split-rim" widow-maker on my '55 dump truck; it is being replaced by a regular 3-piece rim.

This is a timely subject. A co-worker friend of mine needed to get his grain truck inspected, this law just passed here in Iowa, and he was told that he couldn't run his 20" "widow maker" rims any more. His only option, at that time, was to buy some used 22.5" rims and had to buy 4 new tires and 2 used tires. To my luck, his old 20" tires were practically brand new and he sold them to me for a mere $200.00. I'm gonna put them on my 48 with the missed matched tires and the standard type split rims,
Scott

to all who replied- thanks for the info. i understand the split rim deal but i recall seeing a post that they were available still. i am not looking to replace them but to get tires on the truck. at this point i have yet to find anything to fit and am somewhat stumped as to where to go next. i live in northern michigan and there are few salvage yards around here. can i put a 22.5 tire and rim on this truck?

I think you will have more luck with 8R19.5, or just 8X19.5 tires fitting your truck than 22.5.

Some chevy P30 trucks and all 3500HD trucks with the I-beam axle have 10 lug on 7.25" with a 5.25" center hole. The wheels are available new from Accuride and are 6" wide
Assumimg your truck has that bolt pattern ?? you are looking for 6X19.5 with 10 lugs on 7.25 diameter and 5.25" center hole. There is only one choice, steel with 5 hand holes, unless you go with alluminum, but you don't want to know the price for those.

What ever you do, PLEASE, don't try and do those Split rims yourself, Pay a good, proffessional a fair wage... I was 12 when I seen what those things can do to a man when their not in a cage, you will never forget it either! Surfice to say, he was wedged in the rafters!

First, as several here have noted, don't confuse the dangerous 2-piece split rims with the 3-piece lock-ring rims. Both my 52 'bolts have the latter. Also, in researching tire sizes, I found that it is almost impossible to find a 19.5" tire with the correct outside diameter to work and look correct on a 'bolt. Virtually all of the available tires are lower-profile radials - look at the 3500HD trucks on the road and you'll see that the tires all look too small for the truck. In addition, the smaller diameter tires will only worsen the problem of high engine RPMs at high speed.

Finally, and not to discount the dangers in mounting ANY tire on ANY rim, it is certainly possible to safely mount a tire on a 3-piece rim yourself. I have seen idiots seriously hurt themselves with conventional one-piece rims and modern tires; frankly it's evolution in action as far as I'm concerned. Also, if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, don't.

Having said that, the things to be careful of are 1) be sure the rims are in good shape and not excessively rusted. In particular, be sure the lock ring and mating notch have sharp corners and aren't rounded. 2) Wrap and secure heavy chains around the tire and rim, passing them through the rim holes. The chains ends should be bolted or locked to each other. 3) Use an air chuck that clamps onto the valve stem. Do not have your body near or over the tire when inflating - NOTE that this also applies to seating the bead on a conventional one-piece rim!

About the correct oitside diameter for tires on 19.5" rims.

Try 8X19.5, or better yet 8R19.5, they are around 33 or 34 inches, depending on the tire.

I think they look right on my truck, take a look for yourself.
http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/mullen_grigg_1952.htm

And I had no problem finding tires, the same as on lots of RVs

today i took the truck to an old guy who said the rims were fine..... he says i get the tires and he will sandblast, paint and mount them. he's about 70 and done lots of them. so now i gotta track down some tires.