Original Wheels with Ring
 

I have the original wheels and hubcaps to my truck.

I really want to take off the slotted aftermarket wheels off and put the originals back on. I bought tires from a local tire shop and asked them to mount them on the original wheels. They started the process and found out they have the rings (I think we call this split rims even though is not two parts of the rim really) and they couldn't do it. They say they don't know how to do these. So I had to have them put the new tires on the slotted wheels. They are very nice but I still want to put the original on.

I started checking with truck folks I know. He connected me with a friend. He says I need to get tubes for them and also flaps. He says there are slots to pry the rings off and they are easy but I just don't see it.

Any advice, tips, tricks etc? What do I have to do to get my new tires (Cooper modern radials) on the original wheels? Is it even worth my trying to do this.

Thanks in advance to the folks of the best truck site on the internet.

I have pictures of the original wheels and caps, they are in GREAT shape.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Your original wheels are locking ring rims, often referred to (incorrectly) as split rims. Your best bet is to take them to a place that does semi-truck tires. Most shops will not do them anymore - generally speaking, shops that will do them have a cage in which they can air them up in (just in case the locking ring decides to become a 100 mph frisbee). That’s where I would start anyway. Good luck, your truck is gorgeous and restored original rims would be the cherry on top.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

https://photos.imageevent.com/happy_...0/IMG_7449.MOVI am trying to learn how the rings come off when there is no air in the tire and learn the basics about the wheels. I can see where tubes are needed because the valve stem sticks out a space and is not sealed to rim and there is no tight seal for the bead because of the ring. The gentleman I spoke to told me to get flaps and radial tire tubes with the right valve stems.

He told me if I look at the ring, I'll see a slot where you can get a tire tool in to pry the ring off but I don't see anything like that.

Thanks so much for the reply and the compliment. I am really falling in love with this truck and want to keep it as original as possible.

Shhhhh, don't let my wife know, but I would also like to buy a truck that needs work and build the truck I want. ;)

https://photos.imageevent.com/happy_...20_123030.jpeg

https://photos.imageevent.com/happy_...e/IMG_7447.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/happy_...e/IMG_7448.jpg

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https://photos.imageevent.com/happy_...0/IMG_7449.MOV

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

perhaps the split was painted over after the tire was inflated? If the tire is deflated, and the bead broken, it will alleviate the pressure on the ring and it should split. But, like you, I sure can't "see" the split in the ring in the pics anyway! Can you feel one under the paint? Here's a vid that shows what I'm a bit more familiar with, and the split in the locking ring is obvious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b47CJsqFmSM This vid shows why a cage is important https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKlJJqHFfoQ

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Looks like your missing the retaining ring which is split. Outer ring is solid let me get the pics on mine

Found them

On mine you deflate and brake down the outer ring and remove the inner lock ring.

But looking at them yours look a little different. What size are rims mine on the 68 are 17s

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Weird this is the way it should come apart

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Lots of semi trailers used to use rims like that...only larger.
Never had to use tire irons to get them apart but never know. The inner ring is removed once the tire is deflated then the outer ring is rolled off around the rim.
When adding air after installing be sure to tap the ring as you inflate to ensure that it seats against the rim.
Jeff

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Never seen an inner ring and outer ring on a passenger truck

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Interesting!! Thanks so much for the pictures. They were holding air so I think there is only the one ring. It almost looks like they were welded or maybe lead just to cover the split? I will try and see if I can get them split.

If you look at my third picture, below my hand you can see an imperfection in the ring. It looks like maybe that is where it would be split.
I'll have to really try and see better and maybe put some heat on it to see what happens.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Back in the day, this wheels were known as commercial rims. They are very heavy duty and heavy. They are not the typical drop center rims used on tubeless tires, they have a flat base straight across and a locking ring on one side. A tire just slips on, no machine is used to pry the lip of the tire over the rim. They are 16" 2 piece used between '65 thru '68 usually mounted on 7.50-16 tires. The clips accept correct hubcap, newer rims do not accept period correct hubcap. Truck tire dealers still work on them, do not take them to car tire dealers. They are more expensive to deal with, but the look on your '68 will be priceless! P.S. always carry a good spare tire, you don't want to get stuck miles and miles away from a truck tire dealer.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Yes, the tires on there are commercial 7.50x16. The tires I bought are 235r16 so should fit but I do not know anything about tires. Will modern radials be ok to put on them with a tube and flap. I still don’t see how I would remove the ring with no split in it. I really want the original look so I am looking for a truck tire dealer

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Oh and yes they sure are heavy! I have carried them up and down from the attic three times now. My back is not happy

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Neither have I. The poster mentioned after that it seems to be only one ring which makes sense.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

If you click on the link under my pictures you can see a short video of me spinning the single ribg

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Strange they would use so many different types of rims. I'm guessing mine are also a heavier duty rim . As there are 17 inchers

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Good advise on the spare . Tubed tires will go flat very quickly. Not like a tubeless that will slowly leak

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

I have 5 wheels so I will have a spare if I can figure them out or find a place to do them. I am starting to check truck tire places now.

I took another look and as you can see in these pictures, if the ring was split, it isn't any longer. I tried a MAP gas torch to see if it was just filled with lead or something but it isn't. Still have no idea how to get the ring off. I don't want to bend them.

https://photos.imageevent.com/happy_...e/IMG_7475.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/happy_...e/IMG_7476.jpg

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Is it possible the welded them together after mounting them? Seems like that would be hard with all that heat on the tire but this is really confusing me.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Just a suggestion.
If you bought some tire irons,
and then take the valve core out.
Use some tire irons to remove the tire. (like in the video below)
You could see exactly what you are dealing with.

Then if you find a tire shop that will help you.
Let them look at it disassembled
and see if they are willing to put you some new tires on.

Here's some tire irons from HF as an example.
Link:https://www.harborfreight.com/24-inc...ron-93230.html
Here's is some tire irons like in the video below.https://www.tooldiscounter.com/produ...2f5a01eca94038

Video of removing tire
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZkvTu1meuc









.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

If I remember correctly some rings were solid. Hit em with a sledge to loosen, then turn the ring to a certain position to slip it off the rim. When I was a kid I remember seeing circles on garage ceilings from those snap ring rims coming apart when airing them up. I like to put a chain around the rim before airing the tire up.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

The '65 thru '68 16" 2 piece rim has been discussed on another thread, not sure which, but, the '65 thru '67 ring was not a continuous solid ring like the '68 version which was a continuous solid ring. I assume GM made an improvement in the design, possible it was a mid '67 model year change.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

If you were closer I could help you out. Worked on many wheels like this back in the day. You need a tire hammer and 2 tire irons. First you deflate the tire. Then break down the tire on both sides. From the front tap the ring loose. Look for a slot on the innermost part of the ring. This is a solid one piece ring. It has never been split. Force the tire iron in the slot and raise it above the rim. Then work your way around the ring prying it up. If yours does not have the slot the ring will be elongated inside. Look for the thinner part of the ring and pry up over the rim. After the ring is removed the tire will slip off the rim. The dangerous part is airing up. Use a chain and wrap the rim and ring. While airing up the ring needs to be centered. Use the hammer to tap into place. Hope this helps the confusion. Split rims are often confused with these.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

^^^^
Yes. Back in the 70's my Dad's 72 wrecker had these rims on it. I remember us changing out the tires that way. 1 ring, no split. We didn't have a cage so we put the wheel on the truck with the ring facing inwards to air it up from the backside. It worked.

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

Thank you chiefcfd!! I will try again. I had part of it over the rim and looked thinner than rest so this makes sense. I did not see any slot. Also rear of tire was not released from rim so I will do that and try again. If I can get them off I will find a shop with cage to mount new tires. I need to find tubes and flaps to replace the old ones too so hoping to find a proper shop. The new tires are modern tubeless so I need to find out about tubes as well

Re: Original Wheels with Ring
 

You can put a tube in any tire. Just make sure if you are using radial tires that you get radial tubes. They are different. Your flaps may be good to use. If they are solid and don't have a lot of rust on them they can be reused. Remember the inside of the flap is the contact point for the tube. The outside prevents the tube from rubbing on the rim. Good Luck!