| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,012 Posts1,055,318 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 41 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 41 | My 46 2ton has 20" wheels. Are these what is considered a split rim? I have heard that many tire shops will not work with them?
You never have enough, til you have too many!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 | the 2piece rims are the ones considered most dangerous.they divide in rhe middle of the rim the 3 piece rims have a plainly visible split lock ring tucked inside a larger ring and are considered safer however caution should be used when handling either. do a search on this site and you should find many useful tips on tire safety. maybe search 48bigtrucks posts and hotrod lincoln posts | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,571 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,571 | There are some 20" big truck wheels used by GM that actually separate in the denter of the wheel, not the rim. I have a few of those around... | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 30 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 30 | hey guys i have the 3 piece style on my 63 c-50 they seem to be in good condition, shoule I swap them out for a newer safer style? Since I have 4 wheel drums wouldn't I have clearence issues? If so where could I find these replacement rims, I have been looking but had no luck? | | | | | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 258 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 258 | As long as your 3-piece rims aren't rusted/pitted and worn so much that they won't stay together, they're pretty safe as far as such things go.
The rims that DOT outlawed were the two-piece rims that split in the center of the rim gutter...if these weren't put together right or became worn or rusty, the whole wheel could come apart and the tire come off the rim...
Get a reprint of an original factory shop manual: it will have detailed instructions on tire mounting.
I don't think the two-piece "widow-makers" came out until the early '50s.
The only "newer, safere style" would be a one-piece steel or aluminum rim for tubeless tires...I'm sure these are pricey...
Frank McMullen
1941 Chevy dump truck
1949 GMC 100 pick-up
1954 Chevy 3600 pick-up
1955.1 4400 dump truck
1941 De Soto & other MoPars
1928 Model A F**D Special Coupe
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 | The split "ring" wheel is OK to use as long as everything is in good shape. There's a couple of different style of split ring wheels but it's obvious what kind of wheel it is. Some have a three piece wheel and some only are two piece. Rust is the biggest threat to these wheels. If the split is in the center of the actual wheel itself, then you'll be hard pressed to find someone willing to work on it. Even I won't mess with such a poorly designed and old wheel as the "widow maker".
Scott | | |
|
|
| |
