The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1947 Rims N tires

Greetings, I a newbie to this forum, So if this has been covered, let me know or redirect me. Thanks

I am starting my restoration of my 47, I want to stay as close to orginal as possible....

My first problem is moving it around in my garage and yard. Tires are not holding air. ( surprise )..

I have 7.00 x 20's - 5 lug on the front and 7.00 x 18's
10 lugs on the rear.

Does anyone know where I can get any used rubber, while I am rebuilding ?? or what are my wheel N tire options ?

The fun begins...:>)

18"in. wheels, would not be original for this truck. It would have had 20"in. wheels all around.

You must have a 1 ton rear to fit those 18" wheels. I tried to get 19.5's to fit over my 48 rear drums to no avail. But if that were the case, they would be 8 holers, wonder what kind of set up you got? Any pictures?

If you had all 20"ers, the 8.25 x 20 tires are still plentiful and easily had,
Scott

i have 4 wheels and tires that are used. 8 bolt pattern, though
they will roll and hold air...thats it.. thay wont make a trip anywhere. 50 bucks for all the wheels and tires.

7x18 wheels and tires, goodluck trying to find replacements. i only found one place in the u.s. that handles this tire. $105.each in tulsa.Deno's Tires

Well after another look at the wheels n tires, I was wrong, I do have 7.00 x 20's all around. The rears are 10 lugs with the 4.75 center, and the fronts are 5 lugs with 4.80 centers (?) ( I was using verniers, so it could have been 4.75 as well.

For now I will most likely just use the 8.25 x 20's..

Any tips for replacing the rubber on the wheels ? I was told that in my state ( ma ) that shops can no longer legelly mount the split ring rims..(?) I am still investigating ..... I may just try it myself..

Thanks again

according to an article in vintage truck (this debate has been going on for a while) there are no actual laws against split wheels or lock ring wheels some companys or their insurance carriers may prohibt them. check with some companies that specialize in truck and farm tires. I have 3 piece spilt lock wheels and did them myself. 8.25 were the maximum i would attempt on that width wheel. there are vendors selling 7.50X20 such as miller tire, coker tire. tucker tire but they are more expensive than 8.25

Howdy, I have a 46 1 1/2 ton, 12 ft. flat bed. The original tires are 7x20's. I've tried to put 8.25 on my original rebuilt front end and the tires will rub on the steering tie rods. I have 4, 10hole, 8.25x20's, hold air,some tread(20%,+/-), came off a school bus. I was also trying to run these on the rear and increase my top speed, but my bed is off an old ford, so the wheels hit in the wrong places, with heavier loads. So the best deal I got out here(oregon) was a set of military lug type(7.50x20...china,didn't know that after I "special" ordered them).The tire place where I used to go and let someone else do the tire beating, closed up shop a few yrs. back...SO, the last set of new tires I got, I replaced myself. The original truck owners manual has a description of this procedure(rim+lock ring type) and it works really well. The problem is how long the tire has been just sitting on the rim, rusting itself to the edge. The tire guys told me that that was the worst point for wear, and the lock ring will rust enough to actually break and/or the rim edge where the lock rim seats will also have rust wear so as not to lock effectively, as in may come off and then won't stay on. It took some real beating,soaking and hacksaw and chiseling..So, I blasted,wirebrushed, and painted my rims before I put new tires on...Be safe

If you guys want to know all about the different types of split rims, including widow makers, get a copy of the latest Vintage Truck Magazine. They have a great description with cross sectional views of each type and brand of wheels,
Scott

I have the same dilema. The best deal that I have found so far is for blems, $100 for highway and $105 for traction tread that includes tubes (7.5 x 20). That was the smallest size that I could find for the lowest price.

Nebraska Tire (in Firth Nebraska)

If they have them, I would think that someone closer to you should be able to come close to matching or beating their price.

Good luck

John

I bought a few small tires form http://www.tuckertire.com/ it's been a few years, but I remember them as having lots of sizes available, most all imported, and at really cheap prices, even with shipping. It's worth a call at least..

Thanks all, but for now, I have no need to spend the $ on aything new. I just wanted to find some 700x20's that would hold air so I could move the beast around the yard.Sooo, I did spring for some new tubes and did the dismounting / cleaning up of the rims, and remounting my self....called the process" making her roll" and also, built my own ring/bead breaker, ( cuz I'm lazy and not as young as I once was)...I posted some more pictures on photobucket, along with some of my snowplow pieces,( check out the 1947_snowplow album)..
Next phase is to "make her turn over"... we'll keep ya posted.. thanks again, love the information and help from all..
Loadmaster47
bill

Try Trans Texas Tire in Brownwood Texas, 325-643-1541 Ask for Alan