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I just went to a tire place to get my tires taken off the wheels to refinish them. The problem is, my 3/4 ton wheels are 8 holes with split rims. It seems like a hassle to keep split rims since few places will easily or cheaply service them. So, is it a better option to buy new non split rim wheels?
Thanks.

I once had a 1951 1 ton GMC Stake Body truck that split rims. No one in town would touch them when I wanted to have new tires installed. I know that if a tire technician is not properly trained on how to mount and dis-mount a split style rim it can seperate under pressure and cause severe injuries. I saw a old tire ad that had a split rim in a cage like contraption while a tech was dis-mounting the tire from the wheel for safety purposes. I would think that one peice rims would be they way to go, maybe you can find a nice set of used ones to work with

Phillip
1951 GMC 9300 Half ton
Centreville Va

Check this link for info:
http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=000261&p=

I finally stayed with my split rims. I like the look of the 3/4 ton hubcaps and a local tire shop that handles big trucks had no hassles with my split rims.
Murph
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'49 GMC 3/4

As I've said before, you have the two-piece lock-ring rim. Far safer to work on than the split rim. I have mine worked on at a tire shop that handles truck tires. $5 to dismount, $5 to mount is what I pay. My problem was getting 15" tires that were big enough. I wanted some mud grips in a 7.00-15 radial, only ones we could find were made in Taiwan. Am switching my rear wheels to 16", have installed the hubcap clips, finished painting yesterday. Will get some 7.50-16's mounted after the paint has cured. I bought two rims from a 91 for $40. And the inner part of the rim where the hubcap sits is the same size as the older rim.

Problems with this change is the front wheels. The setback (distance from the back side of the rim to the mounting face) is deeper on the newer wheels. This will cause the tires to hit the tie rod ends. I calculated an 1-1/4" spacer is needed to clear, too long for safety without overloading your lug bolts on the front axle. So I will run my stock 15s on the front and 16s on the rear for now.

I found one-piece 16 inch 8-bolt rims which would fit the front of my 3/4T without hitting the tie-rod using 235-85-16 tires. They were 6 1/2 inches wide. I don't know what the set-back is (and can't tell you now since we're on the coast for a week w/o the '48.) One tire shop had those while the others had 7 inch wide rims which would not work.

Wally - Let us know. I assume those are aftermarket wheels? Also, the 7.50R16 is about an inch narrower than the 235-85R16.

Fred, I used 235-85R16's that were on my D**** 3/4T for a year. I also wanted them tall because the truck sat up high on the 7.00x17 tires that were on the truck when I got it. Are the 7.50-R16 tires as tall as the 235-85R16's?

I'll measure the set-back when I get to back to Montana.

The 7.50 is .1 taller, .6 narrower. Not much of a difference really.