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hambone` 01-05-2005 11:00:52 67.23.51.47 12135 Report to Moderator	I am restoring a `53 chevy 3/4 ton truck and have a few questions that I thought the people on this board may be able to help answer. I am considering using a chrome grill and bumpers; I know this is not orignal but thought the truck would look sharper with the chrome. Also, I will keep the original split rim wheels but need to find a set of wheels that will fit the front of the truck (already have wheels that work for the rear). Has anyone here done this? If so, what wheel did you use? thanks! [Reply]  [No Email]
mike in mo 01-06-2005 15:35:35 209.142.186.167 12158 Report to Moderator	Re: 1953 chevy in reply to hambone`, 01-05-2005 11:00:52   hey hambone its nice to know im not the only one out the building the old 3/4 tons. have you tryed jim carter truck part for your wheels hes in missouri and has a lot of the old truck stuff around. his web addy is www.oldchevytrucks.com how it helps i got a lot of parts and places to get parts for the old chevys if i can help email me and ill look around here and see what i can find. mike in mo   [Reply]  [Send Email]
hambone` 01-07-2005 07:18:01 67.23.51.47 12169 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: 1953 chevy in reply to mike in mo, 01-06-2005 15:35:35   Thanks Mike! I do use Jim Carter for parts. Looking to put a more modern rim and tire on the truck for daily driving. While I have no problem using split rim tires, it is getting increasinly difficult to find some one close by to work on those split rims.   [Reply]  [Send Email]
mike in mo 01-07-2005 07:36:19 209.142.186.85 12171 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: 1953 chevy in reply to hambone`, 01-07-2005 07:18:01   i dont know where your at but stockton wheels in cal can make them for you but it cost a lot. i dont know if gm ever made the 15 inch 8 hole wheel in non split rim and im still trying 16 inch wheels on my 1950 gmc 1ton trying to find some that dont rub even the 16.5 wheels i have on it now rub. not much out in the aftermarket for us 3/4 and 1 ton guys.   [Reply]  [No Email]
al 01-11-2005 11:15:48 209.240.205.63 12223 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: Re: 1953 chevy in reply to mike in mo, 01-07-2005 07:36:19   gm did use 16in snap ring eight bolt rims but not till the seventies, I have a set somewhere but if you don't want the truck to lok like it has donut sparts on it go with th 17.5 rims they will also make it sit higher too,chrome grille and bumpers was an option just not many people got it usually the trucks that have chrome also had stainless window trim   [Reply]  [No Email]
hambone` 01-06-2005 08:31:47 67.23.51.47 12153 Report to Moderator	Re: 1953 chevy in reply to hambone`, 01-05-2005 11:00:52   thanks for all the replies! I was under the impression that `53 being a war year there was no bright work available for the truck? Also, I have no problem using split rims on the truck, but 8 lug 15 inch rims were the original equipment and I only have 4 good ones left; also my understanding these rims are difficult to come by, hence the need for 16 inch 8 lug wheels that are narrow. There is very little clearance between the tierod end and tire. Again, thanks for the replies!   [Reply]  [No Email]
willie j 01-06-2005 06:39:29 205.188.116.199 12148 Report to Moderator	Re: 1953 chevy in reply to hambone`, 01-05-2005 11:00:52   Chrome grille, bumper & trim around windshield was part of "Deluxe" package. Think there was some chrome on interior too, but don't remember for sure. Split rims are safe IF in good condition & put together properly. Biggest problem is can't use tubeless tires, have to use tubes. Willie J   [Reply]  [Send Email]
RB/CT 01-05-2005 15:54:11 67.163.171.82 12139 Report to Moderator	Re: 1953 chevy in reply to hambone`, 01-05-2005 11:00:52   If they are six lug wheels, I've seen the mag wheels from 80's Chevrolet Blazers, full size, used on them. They are six lug, with a fancy cap and wide though. they used them on these Blazers through the eighties and into the nineties. Chrome grill and bumpers will look good, knew a guy with a chrome grill on one and it looked excellent although $450 in chroming costs. Good Luck.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Redmud 01-05-2005 12:26:40 216.167.146.152 12136 Report to Moderator	Re: 1953 chevy in reply to hambone`, 01-05-2005 11:00:52   Hambone, The chrome will look fine on the 3/4 ton. But I would not use the split rims if it were my truck, they were not safe when they were new... If it has 8 lug bolts, or nuts, then late model Ford, Chevy, or Dodge 3/4 or 1 ton tubeless wheels will fit. they also look better. Redmud:   [Reply]  [No Email]
sam 01-06-2005 05:59:46 216.229.64.95 12147 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: 1953 chevy in reply to Redmud, 01-05-2005 12:26:40   Why do you think the split rims are unsafe? I change all of my own tires with a changing mall and I have never had one to come apart. You need to make sure that you put it back together right and not damage the seat or the ring. Once they are aired up (in a cage) there is no more danger of using them than there is a tire blowing out going down the high way.I still have three trucks that I use them on and have never had one come apart.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Townsend 01-07-2005 22:26:05 207.194.162.111 12186 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: 1953 chevy in reply to sam, 01-06-2005 05:59:46   Yeah I agree with you sam. I feel safe with split rims. and they sure look nice. The only thing I dont like about them is they are so hard to assemble and disassemble. Mabey I'm doing something wrong but I'd rather change ten 9.00-20s than one 7.50-16.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Frank M. 01-08-2005 17:25:49 209.176.176.70 12191 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: Re: 1953 chevy in reply to Townsend, 01-07-2005 22:26:05   The 16 inch split rim are a semi-drop center. They are a little harder to change than the bigger truck tires. After you have the ring off, you still have to get one side of the bead into the drop and pry on the other side. It gets easier with practice. Hope this helps Frank M.   [Reply]  [No Email]
B Townsend 01-29-2005 15:36:33 207.194.162.56 12368 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 1953 chevy in reply to Frank M., 01-08-2005 17:25:49   Well thats the problem, I only change my own, because a tire shop wont do it. So I dont get much practice. The sensible thing to do would be to change to drop center rims but the splits look so darn good.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Redmud 01-06-2005 10:09:37 216.167.146.188 12154 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: 1953 chevy in reply to sam, 01-06-2005 05:59:46   Sam, It's just my opinion. I worked around tire people for years, I have seen what a split rim will do when it comes apart. it wasn't a pretty site. and not all the good folks that have split rims have a cage to stick em in. I'm not trying to sway anyone, just giving my opinion.   [Reply]  [No Email]