Chrome Steel Wheels w/ Baby Moon Hubcaps

[kychev]

Looking to replace my bias tires with some Chrome Steel Wheels w/ Baby Moon Hubcaps. Anybody know how i can figure out what size(s) i will need for my '51 Chevy 3100? I also need to find out which chains sell these in my area of Cincinnati, OH.

Thanks for your help.

[someotherguy]

American Racing probably still carries these. The '51 will be plain old 6 lug on a 5.5" bolt circle, no big deal. I just looked them up and it looks like 15x8 and 15x7 are the only sizes AR offers with the 6x139mm (5.5") bolt pattern. http://www.americanracing.com/browse_vintage.asp "Smoothie", bottom left.

More of them... U.S. Wheel has them as well, found them on Summit's website http://www.summitracing.com/parts/USW-52-5860/ only $70/ea and they also have the 15x7.

Wheel Vintiques and some others probably have something you'd like, but there's a couple examples for you.

I ran them on many older trucks, including a '61 short step, '65 long fleet, '66 panel, and a few others. Word of warning, the center cap is pretty easy to dent, so never press on the center of it to install. Always press at the edges where it has some strength due to the bend.

Crummy scans of really old pics...

http://www.someotherplace.com/trucks01.jpg

http://www.someotherplace.com/trucks03.jpg

Richard

[kychev]

Thats awesome. Thanks!

[kychev]

OK, now I need some help figuring out whether I go with the 15x6, the 15x7 or the 15x8 rims.

Im pretty new to the idea of tire sizes and such, so please bare with me.

Since i dont have power steering, would it be wiser for me to go with the 15x6 rims since a smaller radial tire should have less surface area?

Also, what size tires do i tell the tire store I will need if I go with the 15x6 rims.

Thanks

[someotherguy]

Eh, I ran those old trucks with no power steering and fairly fat tires, it's not that bad. But for fitment purposes you probably want to stay away from the 15x8 on your '51 as I don't think they have nearly as much fenderwell room as the later trucks like the 60-66 I ran, or even 55-59.

What look are you going for? Lowered, similar size to stock, fat hot rod style, or what?

Another thing that would help is if you still have your original type tires, measure the height of them. Doesn't have to be exact, just close. Also measure the tread width. Post those numbers and let us know if you want to go taller, shorter, wider, etc. and we can go from there. LOTS of options in the radial tire sizes, but, 15" is less common than it used to be since so many new cars are coming out with larger wheels from the factory.

Richard

[kychev]

OK, now we're talking... I just ran out and got the measurements below.

Here is what im looking for in tires: Similar size to stock (no lowering or fat hot rod style). I like the added safety/reliability of the radials even at the expense of added difficulty in steering. I think the Chrome smoothies have a great look and kindof have an old school look.

Im open to your opinions on the benefits/negatives of taller/shorter. I would guess they should be skinnier than wider due to the difficulty of steering w/o power steering... but you guys are the experts.

Will going to the radials really make steering more difficult? Thanks!

Height of tire (ground to top of Bias tire): 29"
Width of tread: 5.5"
Rim to rim width: 17"
Hubcap width: 10"

[someotherguy]

An extremely common 15" that comes close would be the 235/75/15. These were stock size on the 88-98 2WD 1/2 ton Chevy/GMC trucks. They're just a hair under 29" tall, and have about a 6.5" wide tread. That will vary depending on brand/model but there you have it. They're intended to fit a 6 to 8 inch wheel but most of them tend to look a little funny on an 8 inch, as they balloon out on the sidewalls.

I don't think you'll notice a huge difference in trying to steer those, but then again it's been a verrrrrry long time since I've cranked a wheel on any bias ply tires!

Most of the reasons to go shorter/taller/fatter/whatever tend to do with personal preference, but there are some functional reasons.

Shorter tires on the same diameter wheel will have less sidewall flex, so handling in corners improves, and you have less of a "boat" feel on the road. Downside would be ground and suspension clearance, plus going too small just looks funny with big gaps in your fenderwells, unless you lower the vehicle.

Taller ones get you more ground clearance if you need it, but it's easy to go too far and end up with issues rubbing fenderwells, suspension components when turning, etc. or even damaging fenders on bottom-outs with the tire. Some of the same things apply with fatter tires if you get a little too crazy with them.

Richard

[kychev]

Now Im wondering if I can just re-paint the bias rims black and then get some chrome hub caps like the originals had.... or how difficult would it be to re-chrome the caps? What do you all think? I didnt do this paint scheme, i just bought it like that.... and i think it looks aweful.


http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!Bfn16ZQ!2k~$(KGrHqIH-DYEref1CL,GBLCE-gDLpQ~~_12.JPG

[someotherguy]

You can probably find chrome caps that fit those old style wheels; try Wheel Vintiques for starters. Make sure they understand you have the original wheels, which IIRC have little tabs in the center that grip the cap, right?

Or you could have them chromed - problem is just about nobody chromes here in the States anymore, they send the stuff over the border to Mexico and the results aren't always the best, plus some of the companies doing it are fairly scammy and undependable - google "Bumper Boyz" for one of the most infamous ones I've seen.

You could check out the new "spray chrome" systems which can be very durable if applied right. CosmiChrome, Spectra Chrome, etc. My little brother down in FL is doing the CosmiChrome and he says it's great - but there's a trick not everybody knows for making it retain its color tone and good looks in the long run.

All that aside, I'll say it would be best if you're going to drive the thing much to go ahead and upgrade to modern style tires. They're safer to drive with especially in the rain, and it'll be much, much easier to find replacements whenever you need. If it's just going to be driven in parades or taken to shows, probably OK to stick with the old stuff.

Richard

[Crummy]

Now Im wondering if I can just re-paint the bias rims black and then get some chrome hub caps like the originals had.... or how difficult would it be to re-chrome the caps? What do you all think? I didnt do this paint scheme, i just bought it like that.... and i think it looks aweful.


http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!Bfn16ZQ!2k~$(KGrHqIH-DYEref1CL,GBLCE-gDLpQ~~_12.JPG

If you are not looking to go with the nastalgia look, 7 or 8" truck rallies look great on those.