Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72Cheyenne454 · 09-30-2018, 03:54 PM

My wife purchased these wheels for me as a Bday gift back in late 2016. Life got in the way and the wheels got put on the back burner. Sad to say it took me over two years to get these wheels finished and installed... but they're on now and I love the look.

The truck had 15x8 rally wheels on it before and I was looking for a more original look with my own spin on it. I also wanted a bigger wheel, but did not want to jump to 20's - as I like more tire sidewall, so 17's seemed like a good compromise.

At the time I was shopping for wheels, I couldn't find 5x5, 17" steel wheels that would accept an OE dog dish cap. So, I ended up buying Wheel Vintiques Smoothies. Fronts are 17x8 (4.500 BS) and rears 17x9 (5.250 BS). I made up a little jig to center the cap and welded bungs on the wheels to hold the OE caps on. Worked out great. Had them powder coated and installed 235/60 front (28" tall) and 275/60 rear (30'' tall) tires. Again, I wanted a taller tire to try and fill up the wheel well and I think these tires worked out well. Also note, I used one inch wide billet spacers on the rear to get the tires pulled out a little. Without the spacers, the rear tires just looked to tucked in for my liking. I can post Wheel Vintiques part numbers if needed.

One more thing, I also did the lower A-Arm Caster mod before installing the new tires. I flipped both lower control arm shafts around and drilled new locating holes 1/2" further back from the original location. This moved the lower control arms forward - increasing caster. I found the info to do this mod on this board... so thank you to those who shared all the info.

I had the alignment done last week and it has just over 5 degrees of caster now, so it appears to take less steering input on the freeway to keep it tracking straight.

Miles

**Ol Blue K20** · 09-30-2018, 04:37 PM

I think they look great!!!!

**MusicMan70** · 09-30-2018, 04:58 PM

Fantastic adaptation that looks so good!!

52napco · 09-30-2018, 06:31 PM

I'm running Circle racing 18x9 and 18x11 aluminum wheels with the dog dish caps.
They machine the center with the nubs for the caps.

062500hd · 09-30-2018, 10:20 PM

Wow that sits nice. Whats the lowering specs- Sucks we can't get the 62 series wheels with 5x5.

**Stocker** · 09-30-2018, 10:56 PM

The stance on your truck is just right, and the wheels & tires are perfect! I would not have gone with 20s either -- those 17s are just right.

Average Joe · 09-30-2018, 11:00 PM

Very slick! Nice work!!

**special-K** · 10-01-2018, 06:54 AM

That's a nice modern look! If I went with modern wheels size that's what I would do. Looks pld school at a glance, which is what most people see going down the road.

The 18s look huge. Must be the low profile tire in relation to wheel diameter ratio. Looks like way more than an inch bigger.

Someone needs to reproduce hubcaps. I don't understand it. The wheels are out now and people squirm and fight to find hubcaps. I'm sure the big vendors know how hot the look is. And it's not a passing thing, it is timeless which is one reason people came around to them. That's why I always dug them

HARDCORECASH · 10-01-2018, 03:59 PM

17s look great!!

72Cheyenne454 · 10-07-2018, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 062500hd

Wow that sits nice. Whats the lowering specs- Sucks we can't get the 62 series wheels with 5x5.

Thanks for the compliment. Sorry for the late reply... my router took a dump, so I just got my computer up and running.

The drop is all ECE stuff... 4.5" up front and 6" in the rear.

Miles

72Cheyenne454 · 10-07-2018, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HARDCORECASH

17s look great!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I think they look great!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

Fantastic adaptation that looks so good!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 062500hd

Wow that sits nice. Whats the lowering specs- Sucks we can't get the 62 series wheels with 5x5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

The stance on your truck is just right, and the wheels & tires are perfect! I would not have gone with 20s either -- those 17s are just right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Average Joe

Very slick! Nice work!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

That's a nice modern look! If I went with modern wheels size that's what I would do. Looks pld school at a glance, which is what most people see going down the road.

The 18s look huge. Must be the low profile tire in relation to wheel diameter ratio. Looks like way more than an inch bigger.

Someone needs to reproduce hubcaps. I don't understand it. The wheels are out now and people squirm and fight to find hubcaps. I'm sure the big vendors know how hot the look is. And it's not a passing thing, it is timeless which is one reason people came around to them. That's why I always dug them

Thanks everyone... I appreciate your compliments.

I'm really enjoying the new look.

Miles

jjzepplin · 10-08-2018, 06:47 AM

Looks fabulous! I really like your truck too! So the alignment fella had no problem with the caster?

Shinysideup · 10-08-2018, 10:21 AM

Truck stance is spot-on! Thanks for sharing your thought process. Could you post the wheel part #'s please.
I tried searching for the castor correction you mentioned to no avail. Could you post a link if you have one? .

jjzepplin · 10-08-2018, 04:33 PM

Try "caster mod" I will find it if you can't. It really is a smart solution that costs nothing to do. Oh it's in here somewhere... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=caster+mod

**Boog** · 10-08-2018, 09:53 PM

I like it because of the stance AND the tires have plenty of sidewall.

**HO455** · 10-08-2018, 10:39 PM

Good looking truck! I do dig steelies. Do they have them in 8 lugs?
I did the caster mod too! I didn't have enough miles on the truck to get a good before and after feel but it certainly makes the wheels line up in center of the wells better. Actually the front end was so worn out it I wasn't driving so much as herding it down the road.

72Cheyenne454 · 10-10-2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

Truck stance is spot-on! Thanks for sharing your thought process. Could you post the wheel part #'s please.
I tried searching for the castor correction you mentioned to no avail. Could you post a link if you have one? .

Thanks!

Here's a couple links...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=501241

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=487363

Wheel part numbers...

72Cheyenne454 · 10-10-2018, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Looks fabulous! I really like your truck too! So the alignment fella had no problem with the caster?

Hey thanks!

No issues with the alignment. I only moved my lower A arms forward 1/2", versus 3/4" that others have done. I ended up with over 5 degrees of caster and .5 degrees neg camber. It now tracks nice and straight on the highway.

72Cheyenne454 · 10-10-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HO455

Good looking truck! I do dig steelies. Do they have them in 8 lugs?
I did the caster mod too! I didn't have enough miles on the truck to get a good before and after feel but it certainly makes the wheels line up in center of the wells better. Actually the front end was so worn out it I wasn't driving so much as herding it down the road.

Thank you.

Wheel Vintiques does offer steel wheels in 8 lugs that accept a factory 3/4 ton hubcap... but only in 16" diameter I believe.

Here's the link for the 16x10, 8 lug. They have other widths available.

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/wheel...=49&finish=256

**rharris** · 10-10-2018, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Someone needs to reproduce hubcaps. I don't understand it. The wheels are out now and people squirm and fight to find hubcaps. I'm sure the big vendors know how hot the look is. And it's not a passing thing, it is timeless which is one reason people came around to them. That's why I always dug them

I couldn't agree more. I often wondered why someone hasn't jumped on the reproduction hubcaps. They surely would sell.

I love the look of the truck and the four eyes definitely gets my attention.

Nice job on the custom tabs for the hubcaps - Looks great.

72Cheyenne454 · 10-13-2018, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rharris

I couldn't agree more. I often wondered why someone hasn't jumped on the reproduction hubcaps. They surely would sell.

I love the look of the truck and the four eyes definitely gets my attention.

Nice job on the custom tabs for the hubcaps - Looks great.

Thank you.

I agree on the caps. Definitely getting harder to find a set of decent caps.

Miles

**HO455** · 10-14-2018, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72Cheyenne454

Thank you.

Wheel Vintiques does offer steel wheels in 8 lugs that accept a factory 3/4 ton hubcap... but only in 16" diameter I believe.

Here's the link for the 16x10, 8 lug. They have other widths available.

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/wheel...=49&finish=256

Thanks for the link!

andymiller · 06-23-2021, 01:48 PM

new 17s for me

67C10Step · 06-23-2021, 02:10 PM

I like it. Plus 17 inch wheels still give you enough rubber for a bit of ride smoothness without getting crazy in overall diameter.

72Teeroy · 06-23-2021, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

I like it. Plus 17 inch wheels still give you enough rubber for a bit of ride smoothness without getting crazy in overall diameter.

I’m with you love the look

09-30-2018, 03:54 PM	#1
72Cheyenne454 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 457	Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed My wife purchased these wheels for me as a Bday gift back in late 2016. Life got in the way and the wheels got put on the back burner. Sad to say it took me over two years to get these wheels finished and installed... but they're on now and I love the look. The truck had 15x8 rally wheels on it before and I was looking for a more original look with my own spin on it. I also wanted a bigger wheel, but did not want to jump to 20's - as I like more tire sidewall, so 17's seemed like a good compromise. At the time I was shopping for wheels, I couldn't find 5x5, 17" steel wheels that would accept an OE dog dish cap. So, I ended up buying Wheel Vintiques Smoothies. Fronts are 17x8 (4.500 BS) and rears 17x9 (5.250 BS). I made up a little jig to center the cap and welded bungs on the wheels to hold the OE caps on. Worked out great. Had them powder coated and installed 235/60 front (28" tall) and 275/60 rear (30'' tall) tires. Again, I wanted a taller tire to try and fill up the wheel well and I think these tires worked out well. Also note, I used one inch wide billet spacers on the rear to get the tires pulled out a little. Without the spacers, the rear tires just looked to tucked in for my liking. I can post Wheel Vintiques part numbers if needed. One more thing, I also did the lower A-Arm Caster mod before installing the new tires. I flipped both lower control arm shafts around and drilled new locating holes 1/2" further back from the original location. This moved the lower control arms forward - increasing caster. I found the info to do this mod on this board... so thank you to those who shared all the info. I had the alignment done last week and it has just over 5 degrees of caster now, so it appears to take less steering input on the freeway to keep it tracking straight. Miles Attached Images

09-30-2018, 04:37 PM	#2
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 16,295	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed I think they look great!!!! __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul

09-30-2018, 04:58 PM	#3
MusicMan70 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 1,848	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed Fantastic adaptation that looks so good!! __________________ MusicMan70 1961 GMC Suburban

09-30-2018, 06:31 PM	#4
52napco Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: upstate sc Posts: 2,095	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed I'm running Circle racing 18x9 and 18x11 aluminum wheels with the dog dish caps. They machine the center with the nubs for the caps. Attached Images

09-30-2018, 10:20 PM	#5
062500hd Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Brooks, Me Posts: 47	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed Wow that sits nice. Whats the lowering specs- Sucks we can't get the 62 series wheels with 5x5.

09-30-2018, 10:56 PM	#6
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,764	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed The stance on your truck is just right, and the wheels & tires are perfect! I would not have gone with 20s either -- those 17s are just right. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

09-30-2018, 11:00 PM	#7
Average Joe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 1,352	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed Very slick! Nice work!! __________________ 1967 C10 Suburban 454/TH400/3.07's An Average Joe and His 'Burb: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=775843

10-01-2018, 06:54 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed That's a nice modern look! If I went with modern wheels size that's what I would do. Looks pld school at a glance, which is what most people see going down the road. The 18s look huge. Must be the low profile tire in relation to wheel diameter ratio. Looks like way more than an inch bigger. Someone needs to reproduce hubcaps. I don't understand it. The wheels are out now and people squirm and fight to find hubcaps. I'm sure the big vendors know how hot the look is. And it's not a passing thing, it is timeless which is one reason people came around to them. That's why I always dug them __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 10-01-2018 at 07:00 AM.

10-01-2018, 03:59 PM	#9
HARDCORECASH Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 287	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed 17s look great!!

10-08-2018, 06:47 AM	#12
jjzepplin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ruskin Florida Posts: 4,569	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed Looks fabulous! I really like your truck too! So the alignment fella had no problem with the caster? __________________ 70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350

10-08-2018, 04:33 PM	#14
jjzepplin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ruskin Florida Posts: 4,569	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed Try "caster mod" I will find it if you can't. It really is a smart solution that costs nothing to do. Oh it's in here somewhere... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=caster+mod __________________ 70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350

10-08-2018, 09:53 PM	#15
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,584	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed I like it because of the stance AND the tires have plenty of sidewall. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

10-08-2018, 10:39 PM	#16
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,529	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed Good looking truck! I do dig steelies. Do they have them in 8 lugs? I did the caster mod too! I didn't have enough miles on the truck to get a good before and after feel but it certainly makes the wheels line up in center of the wells better. Actually the front end was so worn out it I wasn't driving so much as herding it down the road. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

06-23-2021, 01:48 PM	#23
andymiller Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 53	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed new 17s for me Attached Images

06-23-2021, 02:10 PM	#24
67C10Step Registered User Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Beebe, AR Posts: 2,475	Re: Changed it up...new 17" steel wheels and stainless caps on my short bed I like it. Plus 17 inch wheels still give you enough rubber for a bit of ride smoothness without getting crazy in overall diameter. __________________ 1967 C10 1980 Jeep CJ5 2020 Toyota 4Runner 2024 Toyota Tundra



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