The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts looking for updated wheels for a '53 2 ton truck

Hello,
I have a '53 model 6400 2 ton truck. I wanted to replace the tires on this truck but I have a problem. I am told that this truck has "widow maker" / "suicide" rims on it and these rims are no longer allowed by law to be repaired or to have new tires installed on them. Does any one have sources for updated one piece style rims? I would have no problem in putting tubeless tires on this truck.

Best to all,
Phil Stewart "plasticman"

Dose it look like the wheels have an extra ring or two on the lip? If so then they are OK, they are lock ring wheels.

If you can't see how they are put together then it is probably in the very center, these are split rim wheels, and you should not play with them, and no one else who has a brain will either.

Good point Grigg I keep running in to tire shops that seem to think any tube type wheel is a widow maker and it’s just not so. If the tire and tube assembly comes off one side of the wheel via a removable one or two piece ring they are fine. Widow maker wheels split in the middle and are a bygone bad idea and should not be messed with.
If you need to replace your wheels I would go to a tubeless radial for sure first find out what type of wheels fit your hubs, are they hub or stud piloted, what is the bolt pattern the number of studs and the bolt circle size, and the size of the center hole. Then decide what size tire you want to run, personally I would run the tallest tire that will fit without hitting anything, these trucks are really low geared and can use all the help they can get in that department.
I changed my 56 from 9.00X22.5s to 10.00X22.5s and my 64 from 8 ¼X20 tube type to 10.00X22.5 tubeless radials both trucks started with about 38” tall tires and now have 40”tall tires on them this helped quit a bit with top speed and fuel mileage.
Here is a link to Accuride’s website it was a big help to me all the tire shops told me the wheels that I wanted where antiquated and not made any more till I found a part number to give them and low and behold most of them even had them in stock so don’t give up based on what some tire shop tells you.
http://www.accuridewheels.com/completeversion.pdf

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the posts about the wheel and I'm wondering what year Chevrolet used the 2 piece wheels?

thanks
Don

Welcome aboard don stocker
Good question I don't know the only truck I know of that has them today is a 62 F@rd has the same six lug pattern as my 56 Chevy though.

SHOULD BE SHOULD BE. . .

most of the 1.5ton and heavyer stuff is interchangable from brand to brand same chassie and diff's on most just depended on what sheet metal and engine you perfered. . .if you liked ford engine's you bought a 2 ton ford you liked chevy engine you bought a 2 ton chevy. . .the chassie's and diff's looked the same to me eaton/spicer/rockwell ect brand diff's and axle's and some transmission's. . .on most have seen from tran's on back same truck bell housing on forward is where the differences came in or the cab on top of it. . .


mike

Hey Grant that wheel reference is great! Thanks for posting that.

Actually Steve that site had been brought to my attention by super Grigg!!!

A thank you to Grigg, HevyHauler, OldSub, Don Stocker and 379MV6GMC-K3000 for the excellent contributions to my wheel question. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.
Best Regards to all.
Phil "plasticman"

Great, many thanks from me also. I too, have been looking for information on this topic.

John

and thanks from me as well. my 41-46 bus has been a nightmare for the same reasons. wheels and tires.

thanks again
alton

Hi Everyone,

Just got another truck home last night, '51 Chev 2-ton. Purchased it thru the Stovebolt classifieds. First thing I noticed as we wheeled it out of the trailer onto the loading dock was the 2 piece wheels. I understand from the posts here and also the article in the lastest Vintage Truck magazine that using these wheels is not a possibility. Is it possible to buy the other style wheels, meaning the ones with the split ring on the outer edge? I know I could also maybe purchase new wheels from Accuride. I've also read many posts about guys getting 19.5 motorhome wheels also. I'm not to the point with this truck that I'm sure how much money I want to spend yet, need to assess lots of things like will it even run. I do want the tires to hold air and also be safe to move around. What do you guys think is the most reasonable way to go? Anyone have a set of 6 split ring wheels they want to sell?
Thanks Don

I have the 1951 originial rims and they are reliable and safe. I'm not sure which rims you have, but I'd check them before you ditch'em.

I just finished reviewing a tech tip on wheels and tires for our AD Chevy 1.5 and 2 ton trucks (and some 3/4 and 1 ton info too).

Give John and Peggy a few days to get it updated and we'll link to it here, until then just sit tight, as all your wheel and tire questions and options will soon be answered.

Grigg

Grigg you da-man I am waiting for Griggs' Book of Stovebolt fabrication and I want a signed copy.

Plasticman, what did you finally put on your truck? Interested because we are in the same situation.
Thanks...

Others?