The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Homemade Rims ?

I've got the same problem that everybody with a 3/4 ton has - what to do about rims. I have very good condition 2 piece rims and can even get the local tire shop to put new Bias ply tires on them, but I want radials and the original hubcaps.
So here's my latest crazy idea..,what if I found a good set of 6-lug rims of the same vintage, cut out their centers, and welded in the 8-lug centers to make a one piece rim. I am assuming I could use the rivet holes on both as an alignment method and that the profile of the 6-lug's rim will work with the 8 lug center.
Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks

There are places that do that very thing. They generally will also do wheel repair. I have also heard of them widening rims etc. Maybe do an internet search.

I've used this company in the past to make a new rim using my centers. http://www.stocktonwheel.com/

Joe

There are modern 8-lug wheels that can be modified to accept the original hubcaps. Search the archives for a link to the instructions, they have been posted multiple times. I have five 16x6 Fjord wheels for my 1-ton panel.

Cut centers are the way that many have gone to work around this problem and it's been done for many years like this.

Hot rodders were making cut center rims on early Fjords so they could run stock caps and different tires.

It's about the only option that I know of if you can't get your tires mounted.

I have split rims and have no problem with getting them mounted at a truck tire place. If you go to a modern car tire shop, they shy away from them because they are not equipped to handle them properly.

You can also buy radial tubes to use with those stock rims so you can have the radial tire ride and handling on your original stock rims if you like.

Check with some local short track racers. They change stagger & offset often, usually have good sources for getting wheels made.

GMCPanel,
could you give us some details on your replacement rims? This problem has never been resolved on this site, that is fitting off the shelf rims to an AD 1 Ton. There is one post of using a trailer type rim to do the job but I have not seen a post using a stock truck rim.

I have only test fitted them on the rear without tires, but I won't be using the stock front suspension, so I won't be any help up there. On the back of my panel truck, they seem to fit perfectly. I have seen some information on using modern rims on some other sites, you might want to run an internet search and check other truck sites.

GMCPanel,
thanks and yes the front is usually the problem. Modern 16" Chevy Silverado rims fit over my 14" drums on the back but they do not clear the tie rod area at all.

You fellas might want to try eight lug wheels from a 3/4 ton F**d Econoline 250-about '94-up, I believe. 16x6" or 6 1/2". Might be worth a try.

Regards,
Wannabe

Kook,
Do you run radials on your split rims ?, if so what size ? My local truck tire place will handle the rims and install bias ply tires, but not radials on them.
By the way thanks to everbody else for their advice & ideas.

Man of Maine: I run 700X15 six ply nylon on my truck. I will likely go to radials when these wear out, and it's been 10 years this year that they have been on there.

I use and drive my truck as it was originally intended; 35-40 on back roads so after the thumping stops and the nylong tires "warm up" they are fine. The only scary time I ever had was on scarified pavement and it was pretty interesting as the truck was squirreling all over the road with the slightest wheel movement.

There's a number of sources for radials and I will get the biggest diameter radial I can as long as it will fit the rim properly. I think the corresponding radial size is something like 215 75R or maybe even 225 75R. I think Bridgeport makes a 225 80R 15 but I haven't found a source for it yet. That might be a good replacement size for the 3/4 ton owner but again you need to carefully check the tire dimensions to make sure you can clear everything and look right on the original rims.

I have two part numbers at home somewhere of 16X6 8 hole rims. One I got off this site from Wally/Montana and the other off another site. I'll look tonight and see if I can dig them up. You might want to do a search for rims in this site.