The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk CAN I MAKE THESE WHEELS FIT?

ANYONE KNOW IF IT IS POSSIBLE,PRACTICLE, OR SAFE TO ENLARGE THE OPENING IN THE CENTER OF A WHEEL TO FIT A SLIGHTLY LARGER HUB? EXAMPLE 2004 CHEVY TRUCK WHEELS ARE THE RIGHT BOLT PATTERN FOR A 64 BUT THE HUB IS EVIDENTLY LARGER ON THE 64 PREVENTING THE WHEELS FROM FITTING. I AM PLANING TO SELL THE WHEELS BUT I WAS WONDERING IF THEY COULD BE MODIFIED.

Sure you can do it. I used a grinding stone on a drill to widen the center of my wheels. Depending on how much you remove you may have to get them rebalanced.

BTW using all capital letters gives other the impression you are yelling. If you are then we heard you.

GOOD.... Actually I work in a job where most of type this way. Sorry if I offended. Thanks for the input.

No offense taken. One caution on the wheel modification, do not sacrifice any of the structural integrity of the wheel by taking too much material off but that goes without saying.

Thanks, I'll measure twice and cut once if I decide to do it.

You may want to reconsider using wheels from a 2004, the bolt pattern is correct, but the offset is not. The wheels will be "sucked in" as the hub surface is farther outboard from the wheel centerline than the stock wheel. This will cause rubbing on the suspension and frame. I would suggest that you look for pre-'87 4x4 wheels, they are the correct offset and are a direct bolt on, though some later versions may require slight grinding in the hub center to clear the spindle.

use wheel spacers for the later wheels.they should have the larger center.

Thank you both. I may be time and money ahead if I just look for the wheels that actually fit this truck. I have a set of plain steel 15x7" 4x4 wheels that I may be able to "dress up".

Are these hub piloted rims or stud piloted rims?

If you don't know the answer to that question, then you better find out. If the are stud piloted, then go ahead... estimate the center and grind away. If they are hub piloted, I wouldn't trust anything less than a quality metal lathe for making the new center hole.

Is it a 1/2 ton truck? If so, then it's probably stud piloted. If it's a 3/4 ton or larger, then you better find out for sure!

One other thought, if you have access to a lathe turn the pilot area to size on the hub. Usually this is safe but if it requires alot of metal removal you can start getting into the area designed to support the outer bearing race.

Thanks, sounds like I should just buy the right wheels. I got the wheels/tires cheap so I should be able resell them and not lose any money.