The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Budd Wheels

I’m asking for general knowledge. During the Advance Design period, or before or after, did Chevrolet (or GMC) equip big-bolt trucks with Budd wheels? Thanks!

I think starting in 1955 they had Budd as an option, my '57 2 ton has 6 lug Budds.

Chevrolet first started using Budd wheels for the 1956 model year on their 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10000 series trucks.

I don't know when GMC started using them...

Mike B

Thanks Mike.

Thanks for the responses.
If I understand correctly, you must use Budd wheels with Budd hubs, studs and nuts. Right? Thanks.

I've never tried to put a Motor Wheel on a Budd Wheel hub or vise versa, but yes you need to use the Budd wheels with Budd nuts. The nuts are cone shaped to center the wheel on the hub (stud piloted)...the Budd Wheels lug holes are all conical shaped to accept the cone nuts (inner and outer).

The attached picture shows the 1955 and earlier Motor wheel (hub piloted) and the 1956 and newer Budd wheel (stud piloted).

Mike B

More "general knowledge" for Frank's request. The two pages below are from the 1939-53 GMC Master Parts Book. Sorry, there isn't a magic decoder ring to go along with the manufacturer's code. K.H. would be Kelsey-Hays. I don't know the others.

My guess is "M" = Motor Wheel Corporation. They made hub piloted rims that used a flanged nut to hold the rim to the hub.

Mike B

My 59 GM dump truck has the Budd wheels with the huge conical nuts, but one of the front rims is a Motor Wheel Corp rim. It slips over the studs fine, the holes just don't use the taper on the lug nuts to align the rim.

You can probably use them on the inside wheel of a dually as those use regular-sized studs compared to the budds.

Budd, and Motor Wheels were available on the 47-54 GMC 400 series and heavier trucks.

Thanks all.