The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1954 4400 10R22.5?

Hi Everyone,

I just bought a 1954 4400 flatbed. I know the tire question has been asked a million times and I have searched but not found the answer I am looking for. I want to upgrade to a modern 1 piece rim and see that the 9R22.5 is pretty much a direct replacement. I got in touch with the guys at Wheels Now, and they don't have any rim shells in a 6.75 width to make an 9R22.5, but could make a 10R22.5 with a 7.5" width.

Has anyone ever installed this size on their truck? Looks like the wheel diameter is 2" bigger (40.4" vs 38.4") width is 1" larger (10.1" vs 9").

9 x 22.5 do not need 6.75 rims. They fit fine on my stock 5” width rims. They also fit fine on 6” rims.

I think 10 x 22.5 would be way overkill for your truck!
Ed

Thanks for the input Ed. I agree that the 10x22.5 would be way overkill, but now I am even more confused. How are you running 9R22.5 on the stock rim? I thought they required a single piece rim? Short of swapping out the rims etc, is it possible to run an 8.25-20 on the stock 5" wide rim? I have been able to find 8.25-20 in stock, but have not had much luck sourcing 7.50-20.

GM started making stock 22.5 x 5” tubeless wheels in ‘56, I run 9 x 22.5” tires on those stock GM wheels-in the picture. 20” tires cannot run on 22.5” wheels!

Ed

Here's the way tubeless 22.5 tires line up to be the same diameter as the tube type 20's;

7.50-20 = 8.25-22.5

8.25-20 = 9.00-22.5

9.00-20 = 10.00-22.5

10.00-20 = 11.00 22.5

Mike B

Do you have a part number for those wheels? Or is it just something that has to be hunted down?

I recently found some nice virgin Firestone 10R-22.5 at a truck tire shop, they came off the steers from a local school fleet, had them mount on my original 6.00" tubeless rims, they look great with no sidewall bulge and they fit under my grain box. I don't consider them overkill as they match an optional size from the factory.

Stock 22.5” wheels with 10 on 7.25” bolt pattern are getting hard to find, look on late ‘50’s farm trucks, school buses.

Another option is ‘60’s 22.5” wheels with 10 on 8.75” bolt pattern. Requires drilling 10 new mounting bolt holes, a hub spacer, etc., come in at least two widths, measure carefully. Picture on left.

Ed

There are part numbers for the different rims in the parts books, but they will be listed for the '56 and newer trucks (first year for the 22.5 rims). These rims will have the same bolt pattern as your truck, but will have a larger center hole...your truck has the 4.75" hole and the '56 and up have a 5.25" hole so you'll need to have spacer rings made.

Guys have been looking for these rims for years, they are getting hard to find as they only came on the 1956 and up 4000 Series trucks. The 5000 and 6000 Series had 6-lugs. Being scarce is why guys are having rims modified or custom built at considerable cost.

Mike B

In 54 the center hole was changed to 5.25, so no need for a spacer. I think I am just going to have new ones made. I got quoted $329/ea, so not terrible. Less hassle than trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Those aftermarket wheels tend to be considerably heavier and thicker than standard wheels. The wheel studs on the rear axle are too short for the aftermarket wheels and the lug not doesn't fully engage.
Just FYI

It is pretty easy to install longer studs, even larger sizes as well as appropriate nuts.

Ed

Thanks for that info, I didn't know '54 also had the larger center holes. Learned something new!

Mike B