"Wheel Smith"... anyone order from them?

[Worden18]

I want to buy new wheels for my 48 B1D.  I guess I've heard some good and bad about Stockton wheel. Wondering if anyone has ordered wheels from Wheel Smith in Corona, CA?  Thoughts on this? Any other companies that someone could recommend for making me some good wheels? I don't want to use the old split rims so please don't try to con me into doing it ?

[JBNeal]

additional information - drop center replacement 1-ton wheels

[PT81PlymouthPickup]

I just had a couple wheels made by "The Wheelsmith"   Not cheap, but they did a great job! They were about $200. each and then I had to paint them. I think they'll powder coat if you want to pay extra?  Some photos in attached thread.

 

[Brent B3B]

On 1/26/2021 at 9:16 PM, Worden18 said:

 I don't want to use the old split rims so please don't try to con me into doing it ?

LOL, Wow, snubbed at BTT50’s and now your putting down my rims

 

I am here to “con”vince you 

Split “rings” not rims ?  (inset tongue spitting emoji here) 

[Worden18]

6 hours ago, Brent B3B said:

LOL, Wow, snubbed at BTT50’s and now your putting down my rims

 

I am here to “con”vince you 

Split “rings” not rims ?  (inset tongue spitting emoji here) 

Shows you how much I know man....near the zero mark.  The guys who have restored their split rings have done an awesome job.  I guess for me, I'm worried about my wife becoming a widow ?

[Los_Control]

Lot of deserved press on the widow makers. ... Thats what they did.

Actually the wheel was 2 pieces and had a lip on one 1/2 and a groove on the other 1/2. They just sucked and no matter how sharp you were, you could never guarantee they were locked together when changing a tire.

A old timer was showing me how to change them ... aired it up in a cage to 120 psi ... while rolling it out of the cage it came apart.

The tire was out of the cage and he was in the cage rolling it out. Made him jump straight up and hit his head on the cage and knocked him out.

Just saying he could have been in front of it bolting it on the truck and come apart.

 

While a rim with a lock ring on them are very common and in use today. You can inspect the condition while apart, yours may be junk and need replaced, but you can tell by looking at them.

Just asking you to not confuse a widow maker with a lock ring. They are totally different animals.

[Dodgeb4ya]

RH-5 killer split down the center wheel....never used on the old Dodge trucks...

Was used on Chevy, Ford and others.

As for finding "new" good quality/long lasting and safe wheels for a six stud 1 ton...??????????

[Los_Control]

Yup, thats a true widow maker.

While in a perfect world they worked 90% of the time ... Just such a poor design you could never be 100% sure it was locked together correctly.

 

While if it is split rim or a lock ring, The tire installer can inspect for damage and refuse to put it back together, or inspect it as it goes back together and feel safe.

 

On another forum, the users have been buying off of ebay some wheel centers and rims for Hot rods.

This way they can get the 15" wide wheels they want and weld in their own center section at the offset they need.

There is some pretty good phrase for the quality ... might be worth a look to see if they have what you need.

 

Another option is wheel spacers, bolt to your hubs and have bolt pattern for your new wheels.

A build I am watching, the dude is using a 3/4 ton dodge 4x4 chassis and had adapters made to bolt up 22.5 semi super single tires/wheels to it.

Just seems like you could do the same with your 6 bolt hubs, make a adapter to fit a modern tubeless rim that is readily available.

[Worden18]

2 hours ago, Los_Control said:

Yup, thats a true widow maker.

While in a perfect world they worked 90% of the time ... Just such a poor design you could never be 100% sure it was locked together correctly.

 

While if it is split rim or a lock ring, The tire installer can inspect for damage and refuse to put it back together, or inspect it as it goes back together and feel safe.

 

On another forum, the users have been buying off of ebay some wheel centers and rims for Hot rods.

This way they can get the 15" wide wheels they want and weld in their own center section at the offset they need.

There is some pretty good phrase for the quality ... might be worth a look to see if they have what you need.

 

Another option is wheel spacers, bolt to your hubs and have bolt pattern for your new wheels.

A build I am watching, the dude is using a 3/4 ton dodge 4x4 chassis and had adapters made to bolt up 22.5 semi super single tires/wheels to it.

Just seems like you could do the same with your 6 bolt hubs, make a adapter to fit a modern tubeless rim that is readily available.

What other forum?  I'd like to read up on it.

Also fellas, so just how dangerous are the rims on my truck then?  Trying to understand this better.  Thanks

[JBNeal]

additional information - OSHA guidelines on split lock ring tire installation

 

additional information - OSHA chart on split lock ring tire installation

 

additional information - how to install tire on split lock ring rim

 

additional information - split lock ring rim tire install demonstration

 

additional information - split lock ring rim tire install anecdote

Edited February 1, 2021 by JBNeal
added link

[ggdad1951]

7 hours ago, Worden18 said:

What other forum?  I'd like to read up on it.

Also fellas, so just how dangerous are the rims on my truck then?  Trying to understand this better.  Thanks

 

Split lock rings don't scare me at all.  Just like airing anything up things can go boom or pop.

[Los_Control]

If it were me, I would look for a truck shop that works on wheels.

Years ago when I was retreading truck tires, there was a goodyear dealer that did truck repairs, front end alignments and had a wheel shop.

They had a machine they would set a wheel on a round table, it would rotate through a sand blaster. They might have to turn the wheel over and send it through a few times, but was all automated. They could put several truck wheels on the table at a time .... Was very efficient and reasonably priced. They were also setup to paint the wheels.

 

May not be any shops like that today, either way you should take your wheels down have the tires dismounted and the wheels inspected by a professional.

What you are worried about is rust and no bent lock rings. The rings have a lip on them that fits in a groove on the wheel.

So heavy rust could compromise the lip on the ring, making the ring unsafe. Same with the groove in the wheel, if severe rust could be unsafe.

While some light surface rust would be expected, as long as strength is not compromised.

 

While many here would change their own tires, at one time I ran a service truck and changed truck tires at the shop and also on the highway ... is hard work and not sure I would want to do my own tires today.

But these are the guys that I assume will be working on your tires and they are the one to inspect the wheels and tell you if "they" would mount new tires on them.

Was always the #1 rule at the shops, if you see something like a bent lock ring or a unsafe rusted wheel ... DONT touch it, tell the customer they need to replace it.

 

Inspected, if they pass then sandblast, paint, mount new tires. make z00m z00m noises 

[Dodgeb4ya]

Very rusty pitted rims is makes them scrap metal.

There should be no deep excessive rust and pitting in the side ring groove. No cracks or severe hammer marks on or around the rim side ring groove. No cracking in the groove.

The side ring should not be damaged by severe rust or pitting.

The ring should not be damaged from hamming or be kinked or bent from improper removal.

The links above will state all this.

Common sense information.

These  side ring wheels wheels are completely safe following proper inspection and mounting/dismounting procedures.

They are a real nice looking wheel compared to modern plain looking wheels.

The problem is you have to find a "real" tire man who will do the job if you cannot.

I recommend Brent!?