The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Moving from 17 inch split rim to ? on 64 3/4 ton

I don't have a spare for my 64 GMC 3/4 ton truck.

I'm not likely to find another multi-part 17 inch wheel and the 7.50 x 17 tire to go on it.

My 7.50 x 17 tire on the wheel is 33 1/2 inches in diameter.

I don't know how wide the multi-part "split" rim is, they all have tires on them. The outer bead is pretty hefty.

I'm planning on replacing the 17 inch tires with a modern tubeless tire that is about the same diameter and looks about the same. So suggestions would be welcome.

Just today, I bought a new 16 x 6 inch wheel that fits older 3/4 ton trucks, but the wheel guy's chart does not go back to 1964 any more. It is gray, made in the USA and has bumps for hubcaps.

I have done a trial fit on the truck for clearance of tie rod ends, brakes, etc. The manufacturer's tag and the catalog says it is a "standard" offset wheel. It does sit farther out from the plane of the brake backing plate on the inside, but the "flat of the lug space to the outer edge of the wheel distance is 2 1/2 inches for both of them. With the wheel off the truck and using a straight edge, the distance from the back of the lugs to the plane of the wheels is 5 3/4 inches on the 17" wheel and 4 1/4 inches on the 16" wheel. Question here, is this good enough for a match?

I may use this tire just for a spare. The wheel bolts on fine. Tire I am thinking about putting on the wheel is a Load Range E 235/85 R16. Which according to the Tire Rack catalog is 32 inches in diameter. This would be the "get it back on trailer," " get it five miles to home" tire, but I may just go ahead and replace all four and use one of the 17" wheels for a spare. Depending upon the deal, I may go for a full set.

I went with 8R19.5 on my panel. they are close to the same diameter and only 1/2 inch wider. Look great and close to original. See the pic of my truck.

Wheels look nice.

Source and price.

8x19.5's look to be about $350 where the 16's are about 200 each. 16" wheels are $70.00

They just don't look like the stock wheels any more.

I missed a bid on some original equipment 19.5's one ebay last month.

The tires were about 225 each. tires and wheels were comparable to using weld racing wheels with michelins. The wheels are match for backspacing and powder coated with sst trim ring. I bought both at Rickson Wheel with mounting and match balancing. The match balancing really makes them run smooth. The tires are goodyears m/s, have a 100,000 mile treadwear rating in commerical service and are regrooveable. So I'll probably never have to replace them.

I have a call into Rixon, right now.

She said that they might have something for me.
A wheel that has a center that looks more like my stock wheel.
She said that they could powder coat them red or white at no charge to me.

The Delta Tires on the truck were new at least 20 years ago. And they don't even look worn.

My truck has 9,500 miles on it now.

Takes about five miles for the tires (nylon bias ply) to warm up.
I doubt I could tolerate too much time in it.
No power steering, no ac, no radio, problematic heat, and about a 60 mph top speed.
Lots of transfer case whine.

My 2004 GMC 2500 might be the place for that setup. I'm on the second set of 265/75 R16s since I bought it with 40K on it, and there had been two sets on it in two years. I bought it from the dealer with michelin's that were near the end of their life. Coopers have been running really well and about 50k per set.

It's not the cheapest approch, but it may be the safest and most durable. If it was a she who answered, it mush of been Heather. She was good to work with and seemed to know what she was talking about. I see you're close so you could check them out... They're located in Hunt Valley just north of Baltimore. They do a lot of specialty wheels for trucks of all sorts. They have a pretty nice shop.

Hey, you should come to homecoming. John will probably have his 64 pumper and maybe some other members of the SBVFD.. AKA Firebolters.

Right now, all options are available.

I can even return the Dexstar 16/6 steel wheel for a "credit." from Paul Kruger.

Heather Knutson was the person I talked with in October.
They were really busy with some upcoming show and I said that I would get back with her. Guess it is time. If they don't look like wheels off a baja competitor's truck, and more like a 1964 GMC, we'll have a deal with Rixon - they make 16" and 17.5 wheels, also. I figure on having a set of wheels to last the next forty years on this truck.

I decided that changing the rears, and the new tires/wheels would just result in a more drivable old truck - would need more work as time goes on. Short term solution was to get a trailer to haul it around even if just moving it to some place to get it worked on - my options are now greater.

My cousin has a body shop in Ellicott City, and I'd prefer using his shop to do some paint work for me.

Bought my used gooseneck trailer from Kruger Trailers in Georgetown, DE. Their shop is on the corner of their farm. Been in the trailer business over 50 years, and they build really tough stuff.

www.krugertrailers.com are four miles from the house, and really nice folks to deal with. They are an OEM for trailers, so they have a shop that can do anything, trailer, hitch and truck bodies.

Mounted the BFGoodrich All Terrain 235/85 R16 on the truck. Tire is 1 1/2 inch smaller than the original tires. No fit problems with the 16 inch tire/wheel. Cost was $220 for tire on wheel, I paid $75 for the wheel earlier.

Now that I bought one tire, I have found the BF Goodrich 255/85 R16 that is the same diameter as the 7.50x17 - 33.5 inches. $1295 for four mounted and balanced includes four Accuride #29576 steel wheels.

If I were driveing this truck a lot on trips, and might put 60k on it in the next 5-10 years, the 19.5's might be a better choice.

Update on the wheel quest.
Bought a Dekstar 16x6 wheel for a spare.
Fits the 65 GMC 4x4 just fine.

That got wheels in motion, guy on the 6066 site said that if I paid the freight from Missouri, I could have the 16 inch steel wheels that were left from his 64 GMC 4x4.

Wheels came in, fit was fine. White wheels, too. Ordered four 255/85 R16 BFD All Terrains. Diameter of 7.50 x 17 is 33.5 inches. Diameter of new tires is 33 inches we are in business, now.