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Gary (Ont) 12-13-2006 06:49:53 206.47.243.43 22658 Report to Moderator	This truck has the original 20" factory installed wheels. The original tires were 30 X 5 but I will be using 600 X 20 Denmans. The wheels have a separate ring that locks the tire bead to the rim. Are these the type that are so dangerous to air up and have caused many accidents? Are they still legal to use? Any hints on installing new tires on these wheels? [Reply]  [Send Email]
truckdog62563 12-13-2006 07:12:07 70.226.232.244 22659 Report to Moderator	Re: 1937 Chev 1 1/2 ton wheels question in reply to Gary (Ont), 12-13-2006 06:49:53   Gary - Lock ring wheels can generally still be serviced at big truck service centers. They require use of a cage when inflating, but once together tend to stay together I'm told as long as there is no stuctural damage to the wheel, or severe rust damage. If you're going to the trouble anyway, I'd have the wheels sandblasted and painted first to ensure that they are safe to use. To me it's best to have the mounting done professionally. I have several old Budd catalogs, the earliest from 1941, and don't find any wheels in it that are the dreaded true split outer rim style made by Firestone. They were called an RH-5*(that should be a degree sign but I can't do that here). As best as I can figure these were introduced in the mid to late 40s and were used on a lot of trucks up into the 60s or 70s. And resulted in a lot of multi-million dollar wrongful death/injury law suits against Firestone and Budd. Hope that helps. Stu   [Reply]  [Send Email]
Javy 03-22-2007 01:39:27 71.83.205.47 24436 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: 1937 Chev 1 1/2 ton wheels question in reply to truckdog62563, 12-13-2006 07:12:07   Hello, I have the same truck with your same concern. I bought mine in Montana and no shop there would mount any tires.I brought it home to SoCal and no shop here will touch them.I would not invest time or money sandblasting or painting your wheels unless you have someone to service these "widowmaker wheels".I bought 6 modern 19.5 dually wheels for mine,mounted new tires,then found out rear wheels did not fit over rear drums.I guess I have to change rear end.Any suggestions would be appreciated.   [Reply]  [Send Email]
truckdog62563 03-22-2007 04:48:01 70.226.202.40 24437 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: 1937 Chev 1 1/2 ton wheels question in reply to Javy, 03-22-2007 01:39:27   Javy - I've heard that regular car type shops won't work on "lock ring" style wheels, but haven't heard of this problem with true truck shops. Switching to tubeless rims is clearly the best answer if you can find them. I know of many Ford guys that switched from 20"s to 19.5"s with no problems, but GM I guess is different. Another option is to use tubeless 22.5s. They show fit over your drums. The bolt pattern would be the concern. I know that many old trucks used 5 bolt on an 8" circle. If that's your size, Chuck Mantiglia of Chuckstrucksllc.com might be able to help. Stu   [Reply]  [Send Email]