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| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 | Does anyone know if there is a newer 16" 6 lug wheel that will safely carry a radial tire without using tubes? I want to install radials on my 54 and keep the wheels looking as stock as possible.
Disciple
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 90 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 90 | Tedjr,
I took my stock wheels out to Stockton wheels and had them cut the centers out and weld on new outers 7 inches wide and that fits a 235/85-16 tire.
It fills up the wheel well just right, is about as wide as you can go with the stock tie rod ends and it gives a nice tall tire to run down the road a bit better.
I ground off the rivets holding the hub cap clips before I gave them my rims.
The clips can be reattached with a button head machine screw.
I wanted the clips off so the wheels could be adequately sandblasted.
I am very satisfied with the results and would do exactly the same thing again.
Ray | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | I just got my new wheels on my old centers from Stockton. I got 6".
Jim carter sells stock looking wheels but they won't take stock hubcaps. | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 99 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2009 Posts: 99 | I'll have 65 Wonton on Alcoa aluminum rims. That's what was there when I bought it and they look great.
Dave.
What's the last thing a red neck says, "Hey guys watch this."
What's the last thing a redneck hears, "Go ahead Bubba, you can do it."
Build plan: 65 Chevy one ton, 5.9L Cummins HO, NV5600 six speed, 2wd 1972-1987 IFS disk front, frame off restore/mod, custom dump/flat bed, Alcoa rims, Dana 70 3.73:1 duals drum rear, plush interior, Guards red with Marine Corps decals. Donor is retired 2002 Ram 2500, 194K miles.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 | If you want the less expensive route, Use the tubes. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | If you want the less expensive route, Use the tubes. Not with modern radials, unless you can find tube type radials, which is very unlikly in the US. Using tubes in modern radials is very unsafe, and will void any warrantee on the tire if it fails.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | Interesting comment regarding tubes in radials. They have been recommended up here by various tire dealers who install radials on old wheels. Maybe different DOT regulations. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The DOT and MAP both state no tubes in tubeless tires. All of the manufacturers say the same thing. I would be wary of any dealer wiling to take the risk against manufacturer reccomendation.
BTW, I've worked in the tire industry for almost 20 years.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 | Coker tires in Chattanooga sells a radial tire especially for these old chevy rims. They sell them using tubes. However they are terribly expensive.
Disciple
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I took a look at those. They are designed to use tubes, so there isn't a problem with running tubes in them. However, tubless radials are made to be run without them.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 | Thanks Gabster, They (Coker's) are too much for my budget. Do you know of any 16",6 lug wheels available that are wide enough for a radial, and still retain a similar look of the original wheels?
Disciple
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 232 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 232 | I had a set of wheels made by Early Wheel Co. in CA. He can make any width and offset you want.I think they were about $90 per wheel.You can check them out online | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Do you know of any 16",6 lug wheels available that are wide enough for a radial, and still retain a similar look of the original wheels? As I posted near the beginning of the thread, Jim Carter. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 | I called Jim Carter, they only sell 15", six lug wheels. I want to stay with the look of the original 16" wheels. Do you think if I was to mount 15" 6 lug wheels that I could then mount radials, and they would look fine on my 54? If I did install the 15" wheels and tires would that affect the speed of my truck?
Last edited by Tedjr; 11/12/2009 12:46 PM.
Disciple
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Oops, I thought Jim told me they were 16". | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 | Tim, thanks for the information. I ended up ordering a set of 15" 6 lug wheels from Early Wheel in Morro Bay, Ca. Any ideas as to what size radial I can run on these rims? They are going to be 7" wide I believe.
Disciple
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | 235/75/15 XL would be my first choice. Lots of options, relatively common size, and most tire shops have plenty on hand. Please note that I listed it as the "XL", which stands for Extra Load. That tire is a bit heavier duty than a regular P rated tire, but isn't quite as heavy as the LT C range. Nice comprimise. You'l still get a decent ride, but it'll still carry the weight of the truck and an occasional load if desired. If you want a bit larger, you could also consider going with a 30x9.50x15, which will be ok on the 7" rim. I have that size on the '55, and am very happy with the performance. I am running an 8" rim, however.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 101 | Well guys, I ended up ordering 15" 6 lug rims from Early Wheel. I won't be able to mount my original hub caps, but I also bought the baby moons he sells. The owner is a great guy and owns a hot rod shop in Morro Bay, Ca. They should be here by Friday. Can't wait to get them painted and then new radials mounted. Thanks for all of your help along the way.
Disciple
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 86 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 86 | not to thread jack here,but, how about that same wheel in a larger dia. say, 17-18"?maybe 5 or 6 lug?
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