The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Tires and wheels for a 1946 2 ton

I just recently joined up. About a month ago we towed my new stovebolt home. She's a 1946 2 ton. The front tires are pretty well trashed. 3 of the 4 rear tires are good enough to roll on right now, although I wouldn't trust driving on the road. They've got quite a bit of weathering on them.

So here's my question(s):

Should I just bite the bullet and order brand new tires? That will probably cost almost as much as I paid for the truck.

Is there much likelihood of finding used?

Wheels?? The wheels look in good shape, but everyone keeps telling me how nobody will work on them. What's everyone's experience?

The current tires are 7.50x20. I may look for other sizes that fit. I understand that 8.25x20, 8.50x20, and possibly 9.00x20 (at least on the back).

Just wondering what other folks have done for wheel and tires. I plan to keep everything as original as possible. I'm not really planning on a lot of driving, probably only within a 45-50 mile radius of home.

Thanks

I almost forgot, here's some pics.

1946 Chevy 2 ton

Good looking truck! Still trying to figure out the tires and rim problem myself. The wheel and tire article in the tech tips (big bolts) by Grigg is very informative. Good luck.

Nice looking truck! I like it! Welcome to the Bolt!

Here's my answer to your questions in order:

1. Yes, bite the bullet and go for new ones because of safety and your truck is so nice it deserves no less.
2. Yes you can find a few used but why? See #1.
3. You can find peopke who will work on your wheels if you check around. In OK there should be many small town tire shops and farm/ranch supply places that can help you out.
4. You claim to want to keep it "as original as possible"...so why would you put larger tires on it. They simply are not needed for the small GVWR of this chassis. Probably not as heavy as an F450 and you've mentioned the money issue in new tire remarks, so again, why spend more on larger tires that may not fit and serve no purpose?

From all you stated my opinion is that you need to decide upon a course of action before starting this project. It is your truck so these opinions (remember you asked) don't mean anything but get yourself organized and a plan together is pretty good advice even if it does come from me. Good Luck and again it really is a very nice truck so your way ahead of many already.

Looks from the pictures that you have the 3 piece rims (lock ring ,outer ring and wheel), you can still find people to deal with them. The RH5 split wheels are the ones many shops will not deal with.have seen your model truck with 8.25X 20 tires but most I have seen were 7.50X20. It appears to be a very solid truck so you are way ahead of some of the folks here at Stovebolt.com Good luck and lots of fun with project

JRC - I have the exact same truck you do! Welcome to Stovebolt. There is everything you will ever want to know about your truck on this site and the most helpful folks to ask questions of, as you found out here. I found many suppliers and tips which I simply bookmarked in my computer for future reference. Best of luck, keep posting pics as you make progress. LevisPop

Thanks for the info everybody. Good idea about getting a plan together. I'll probably do new tires. That's what I want to do....so, don't fight it....right.

My dad, my friend, and I got to work on the truck yesterday. We got the hand crank in and got the motor to turn over. We got everything oiled up real good. There seems to be very good compression. I got a new 6 volt battery. Voltage checks out like it should at the coil.

I need a little work on the starter. The contact on top of the starter is worn down, so the contacts aren't hitting correctly. The starter works when we put power right to the contact. So, I'll probably take it to starter shop and have it worked over.

I'm just taking my time on everything while I'm "waking her up." Making sure everything is free and lubed up before I fire her up. But, everything is looking good so far!!

JCR
Welcome to the group!
Great looking truck.
I like the idea of keeping it original.
I also have the same truck and will be putting new 7.50x20. tires on it.
http://s893.photobucket.com/albums/ac132/2-Ton/?action=view&current=Trucks206.jpg

I actually bought another 48 1-1/2 ton just for the new tires it had, to put on the 46.

You'll have a blast and get a lot of attention when you take it out for a spin.

2-Ton

If you are going to do much work on it, I would wait 'til it is almost done, after finding what you want, tires definitely age and have a lifespan, unless you just want to drive it around the block. Just get 4 that hold air 'til you're ready. Would hate to wreck a good tire with a torch or weld spatter. Perhaps you might be lucky enough to find some factory 5.5" X 22.5" rims(tubeless) on '50's Chevy or GMC trucks, by the time you are finished. Take 9.00 tire, though.

I have gotten away with just cleaning contact on top of starter and replacing the push button assembly on top of the starter. About 25 bucks for starter button assembly a lot cheaper than starter rebuild.

JRC
We have '46 2 ton COE that my Dad bought used in 1950. It was our farm truck until Missouri started to require vehicle inspections in the late 60s. It was retired at that time. Later in the 80s or 90s, my uncle found a one owner '42 COE in Illinois and bought it. My dad got it from him and kept it licensed and on the road for a number of years.
Pop always ran 7.50s on the front for easier steering and 8.25s on the rear where the load was being carried.
I have a '41 1-1/2 ton conventional (former Fire Truck) and a couple more COEs, both '46 or early '47, I think. Thats the extent of the "Art Deco" Chevys in the flock. Some are for sale if anyone is interested.

Mike

I put Accuride item number 29667PG wheels with Dynatrc ST990, 8R19.5 tires on my 46 1.5 ton. They are not as tall but look okay to me. This gave me a modern welded one piece wheel and radial tires.

Here's a picture: http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh557/PJDRETIREE/Bully%20Restoration/IMG_1385.jpg

If you don't mind my askin',about how much did it cost for the wheels and tires? Did you get charged for installation of 'em?
Speed

Did you use some bushings to center the wheels on the hub? They are hub centered wheels.
The old hub should be 4.75" and the new wheel 5.25".

Grigg

By all means spring for the new tires. Also, I agree with others that it should be the last thing to do on the project. Would strongly recommend the 7.50/20 size. It gives the truck the classic, original look that I wanted on mine. I had no trouble finding a shop that could deal with the wheels although it cost me because of the time they had to spend unfreezing the snap rings. You can see my truck on the gallery page under George Berry's 46 Two Ton.