The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk wheel options

I'm looking for wheel options for my 53 3/4 ton flatbed (single rear wheel). I have stock suspension and hubs, etc. Would like to use 16 or 17 inch rims with a radial tire. I have 15 inch splits but really don't want to use these. What are the options to consider??????

Thats the million dollar question? The problem is that these trucks only allow 4" of backspacing before the tire hits the tie rod ends. All of the Chevy 8-hole wheels fin on the hub, but suffer from tire clearance problems. Some have said that the 70's Ford 3/4 ton 16" wheels will work if you can find them, and there is a trailer tire manufacturer that makes a wheel that is close. If you want the stock caps, you have to install the clips to hold them in place. Those white spoke wheels that they sell everywhere will also work if you like the look. Stockton wheel will make a custom set as well as other company's that do that kind of work. I am still hunting for some, but am about to go custom or modify some myself. Good luck and let us know what you come up with.
Ralph

yes, so I've learned.... I'll be doing more research on this one

thanks

Have you found anything else?

Not yet........... If Stockton will make customs for $145 (see other post), then I may consider having some made. I ordered a LMC catalog to see what the story is with the 8 lug rims they offer.

I have a 48 1 ton and got some 16" 8 lug rims from a trailer building company.Smooth wheels and for 50 bucks a piece, and i even think the original hubcaps will fit.

I looked into the trailer wheel option and was told by trailer company the wheels they sell are not rated for vehicle applications, only for trailers.......... I'm not sure what DOT uses to rate wheels, but I imagine axial loads on a trailer wheel are much less than on a truck, especially front wheels. I'd sure like to know for sure, because the trailer wheels have the right offset for our old trucks. Perhaps the caution statement from trailer company is just a standard answer to cover their a$$ ?????

Can you post the name of that trailer company?

I'm was just about to have stockton make me a set of their "20 series". I was quoted $155 each, and 3-4 weeks lead time.

Mine is a '52 3800 series 1 ton. I'm hoping for 215/85/16 on the front and 235/85/16 on the back.

Should 16x7 with 3.75" backspacing work out for me? I'd love to order one to check, but I'm not thrilled about 2 months to get everything squared away.

I tried a number of 8 lug take-offs on my 59 until I found the 16" steelies that I am using. I got the set, with used tires, for $400. Go down to the part of town that has wheel shops but in the poorer areas. The 8 lugs wheels from 73 back to say 47 were all the same. So find the shops selling wheels for older trucks and you'll find what you like. Check my truck in the 59 section to see what I have. Hopefully not sounding like a bigot, but the local hispanic gentlemen at the tire shop only about 2 blocks away had exactly what I needed. That after driving all over the place to find take offs that never worked!

and, btw, I forgot to get a spare, and went back there and got a used wheel for $20 from an old dodge that was the same.

Joel,
look at the 3/4 Ton Rims thread under this same forum. The trailer reference is listed there.

From reading what I could find on the net, I think that the trailer wheels are not made to the same high speed balance specs. They are definitely as heavy or heavier than a corresponding truck rims. It is their duty to say that they are rated for trailer use only. I believe that the white spoked jobs are trailer wheels also.