The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 20" Rims for my 3800 - will they fit

I need to get new tires for my truck, but looking forward I know I'd like to do a disc conversion. That being said, most all information I find says that if I want to keep the original axles, it's best that I go with a 19.5" rim. The problem I'm having is that there are not any in my area (nearest salvage yard is 60 miles away and I've called about 50 to no avail.)There are a set in CO, but it is cost prohibitive for shipping. I found a set of used 20" american racing rims:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARE-6081-2182/

for 600 (including tires). The tires are 295/45R20 which puts them at 11.61 in width and 30.5 in height. I'm worried about the width. I went out and measured and believe they will fit, but I just wanted to see what ya'll think. Thanks.

They're 10" wide wheels.....
Stock or compariable 17, 18, or 19.5" rims are about 5-6" wide.

If you don't want stock 17" why not some common 16"? I ran 16" snow tires on the back of my 52 1 ton in the winter, think they came from a later Chevy or ford, they were free and fit so I wasn't picky.
Point is there are used (cheap) wheel options if you look around and aren't afraid to try some on. 19.5" are a good choice but if you can't turn any up look for something else in the meantime.

Grigg

Will E350 discs fit under a 16" rim though? I'm actually working off of assumptions from a previous post "Grigg's disc brakes? " That is my biggest concern. I currently have 16" but they're in need of new tires. My current options are to buy tires for rims that I believe I will replace, or buy rims and tires now. Also, 20" tires seem to be alot easier to find nowadays. Thanks.

Do E350's run 16" wheels?? All the ones I've seen do.

You've got me confused; I can't figure what you're trying to do in the end.
If you know what you want in the end take the shortest number of steps to get there: that's you answer.

Grigg

Grigg, you hit the nail on the head. This is unventured into territory for me. I can fix cars, but I'm finding that adapting them is a whole other ballgame.

I'm working off the premise that to put disc brakes on my truck (building a bracket to hold the caliper and therefore use the original axle) it would be best if I had larger wheels. I currently have 16" on my truck as does whitedog's truck. I also do not like the look of the 16"'s.

Based on a previous thread, I need 19.5" wheels because you said that with your setup, you had about 1/2" clearance. I plan on doing this conversion in the future, but I don't want to put money into something (new 16" tires) that I know I will toss. Also it seems that the 8R19.5's are scarce and expensive. I know the 20"'s are much wider at 10" compared to 6" but it looks like I have room in the wheel well for that. Biggest concern is whether this assumption is correct or am I overlooking something. Is there anything I should be concerned with putting 10" wide wheels with a 4.5" backspacing on my truck. Guess that should of been my question to begin with. Thanks

Hi New_Ton
I also would like to upgrade the drum brakes to disc on my 1 ton with dual wheels. The modern 19.5 seems to be the way things are done now. My 1955 has 18" split rims to clear the brake drums so the easy to find 16" off newer dulies will not fit. Depending what rotor and caliper I end up using will determin the wheel size.
Grigg has done a tremendous amount of research into this topic and I must thank him for that. A chap in Washington state has a pattern for a plate to adapt GM calipers & rotors to the 3/4 & 1 ton beam axle, Lets hope he starts marketing them.
Is there anybody else with a opinion on this??

What tire will you run?
look here on page 48
http://www.accuridewheels.com/completeversion.pdf
It list 20" truck tires.....
the smallest 20" , a 7.50-20 tire is still about 36" tall (32-34" works well on a 1 ton) And see the recommended rim widths? they want a 5.5, 6, or 6.5" wide wheel.
Now look what size tire fits on a 10" wide wheel, a huge 13.00 or 14.00-20, like a flotation tire on the front of a concrete truck!

Now there may be some 20" light truck tires out these days, I'm not sure if anything will suit.

My opinion is this wide 20" wheel idea is not a good one. Might be only way you can find out and satisfy your curiosity is to try it.

Back to the original goal, disc brakes right.
Just because I test fit 19.5" wheels with the original axle disc swap setup I proposed (but won't be using) doesn't mean a different wheel won't fit, or a different slightly smaller rotor won't work and allow smaller wheels.

You're venturing into the part of our hobby where you've got to gather some parts and see what works for you, your truck, and your abilities. Get out there and try some stuff.

Grigg

Howies551Ton,
Please start a new thread about your desire for front dual wheel disc brakes on a 1 ton.
I've got some ideas and measurements that I can pull out of this thread.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=725027#Post725027
We'll also need you to take some measurements from your axle (see missing measurements in first post of that thread).

Grigg

I forgot to mention, my truck is SRW, not DRW, if that makes a difference in this discussion.

Nope, no difference

Those wheels will not work, they are intended for late model ('99 and up) trucks. The backspace is too deep, unless you're planning to run 1 to 1 1/2" spacer. Also, there would be a concern over the load capacity of the tires. Most of the 20" tires on the market are intended for passenger car or 1/2 ton truck use, they will not hold up under a 3/4 or 1 ton for very long.

Thanks Grigg
I will in the next few weeks pull the front wheels and get the missing dimentions. Hardly any snow up here and still near freezing, but It can be done.

Just out of curiousity, where are you finding those wheels with tires for $600? The lowest I found for just the wheel was $275 apeice for the teflon coated, polished or chrome will hit $300+ apeice easy. Plus, 20" tires are not cheap, expect around $200 for cheap ones that won't last, $400+ for good ones.

good ole craigslist

Just to let you know, I found some 19.5" rims from a p30 and they will not fit a srw 1 ton. The offset/backspacing is way too much.

You found dual type wheels or single?

I wouldn't expect a dual wheel to fit the rear of a single wheel truck.
However a single type 19.5" wheel should fit no problem on a 1 ton single wheel AD...?

Yeah, I found the duals. So far, finding singles is a pain.