The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Wheel - wheel stud question

Hello,
I have a question. I am looking for wheels to replace the split rims and seems like the 16" 8 lug will be the way I go. I was looking at a set of rally wheels on e-bay and asked about condition. He told me I have 1/2" studs and these are for 9/16", is this somthing I need to take into consideration. I would presume all newer wheels are not 1/2". Help please - it seems nothing is as it seems.
Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

Replacing split rims is a good idea, unless your going for the 100% authentic restoration. You have some homework to do before you buy some new rims.

Many newer lugs are 9/16". The lugs on my 1958 8 lugger are 1/2". However, if you REALLY want those rims you take off your old hubs, push out the lugs, drill the hubs for 9/16" studs, then your new lugs will fit the new rims. Simple solution... maybe.

There's this thing called "stud piloted" or "hub piloted". The stud piloted is what you see on most all cars. On these your lug nuts have a "beveled" bottom that tightens into a beveled hole on the rim. This ensures that the stud directs (or pilots) the rim to exactly where it is supposed to be. On a hub piloted rim... you guessed it, the axle hub has a snug fit to the center hole of the rim. The hub pilots the rim so that it is centered on the axle. The lug nuts on this type of arrangement look more or less like standard nuts (they are flat on the bottom).

You typically only see hub piloted on larger weight vehicles, but your 8 lug setup makes me think you might have a heavier vehicle. Got any pictures of your current setup? Hope this helps.

The truck is a 1965 C-30 Panel Truck. I believe the wet-up would be "stud piloted" as the wheel does not rest on the hub, the lug nuts have the bevel to seat the wheels. Based on that it seems the answer is to replace the studs with 9/16" studs. What happens if you just bolt them up on the old studs, something bad?

It is possible that the 1/2 inch nut may bottom out before the wheel is tight. Also the 1/2 inch nut may be too small to properly support the wheel made for 9/16 inch studs. You may be able to get 1/2 "heavy" nuts. They will be bigger on the outside than the standard 1/2 inch nut. Just make sure they do not bottom before they properly tighten the wheel. Depending on the bevel on the nuts; you may have to remove some of the pointed part of the bevel so the nut does not bottom before the wheel is properly tightened.

when I bought my 54 one ton GMC it had some kind of car wheels on it. When I drove it the wheels felt like they were coming off. I put original wheels on it and converted it to a dually while I was at it.I would'nt try to use wheels with the wrong size bolt holes.

I beleive what you will need are Duplex nuts. These have a wider seat and are longer for heavy applications. You might try to find late Astro van nuts. I have those on mine, they're 7/8" hex with a 1/2x20 thread, similar to the late model fullsize other than the thread. I found them at a swap meet, I don't know the manufacturer or part number though.