Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
I have a 59 Viking 40 (1 1/2 ton) which has 20” multi-piece rims (with tube tires). I have decided that I don’t care to continue to run them, the original wheels were 22.5 tubeless. I want to go with 22.5 wheels going forward (and it is well documented on the forums that the 55-59 1 1/2 tons are hard wheels to find), so I have planned three courses of action and would like to hear other’s perspective if they care to share:
1: buy custom steel wheels from Wheels Now 2: get custom (buy or make myself) adapters for the current axles to fit late model big bore/bolt circle wheels 3: swap axles from a ford f-450/550 (Dana front and rear), which would also mean I need wheel adapters (but can be bought, not custom made). I am leaning towards #3 even though there is more work, as I can also pull the power steering, ABS and power disc brakes and sway bars (I live in an urban/suburban area and want to do truck stuff in congested areas so these benefits are significant to me). I should also add that the frame rail width is with 0.20 in between the Viking and 450/550 with front track (15 in wider on the 450/550) being the only significant challenge to address (the rest is just lots of work!). It is a big undertaking so i’d appreciate some thoughts from the community getting to 22.5” rims. Thanks in advance |
Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
What bolt pattern do you currently have? if its 10 lug they are hard to find. 6 on 8.75? if so there a tons of steel wheels out there in 22.5" I would not use the f450 axle if it is 15" wider. You will not overcome that with a wheel offset. Fender modifications would be significant and not sure how it would look.
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Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
I have the 10 lug on 7 1/4 in bolt circle with a 6 1/4 inch hub.
I just measured the outside of my current wheel to the outside of the front fender and the current wheel is 6 1/4 inch inside the fender. That means that a 450 axle would move the outside of the tire ~1 1/4 inch outside the fender (15 in track difference is 7.5 in per side the wheel would move). Not sure wheel offset can fix that, and at a minimum I would need to roll the fender, but as you said probably need to figure some flares. Or keep the suspension high (lift?) and the fender clearance won’t matter, but again as you said looks may be suspect. Thanks for you thoughts. |
Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
HI Viking40, I am in the same boat as you!
It appears you've had the same thought as me, with your option 3 listing above. Another option that I am leaning towards is running a 90's chevy 3500 "HD" axle front and rear. 4x4 was not an option for these trucks, but that is not as important to me and the 2wd front axle beams seem to be much easier found than than 8/10 lug 450/550 front axles from the fords. I'll be tracking your progress here. I have no desire to deal with ABS and I believe the 90's chevy's did not have that, but they were disk brake. Good luck! |
Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
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I have a 96 I can get measurements from if you need them. |
Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
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You also said there is no sensor on the rear axle. 2 channel ABS? Again thanks for the thoughts, I had over looked the 3500HD as a potential donor, though I didn’t state it earlier it is my hope to keep everything up to the original 14,000 GVW the truck had from the factory and the 3500HD does that. |
Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
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You are right about the gvw. Gvw for the earlier 3500hd was 14,500, the later ones were 15,000. I can get some measurements Wednesday or Thursday. |
Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
Look up the bolt pattern if you can. I have simulators on my wheels, and I would prefer not to take them off.
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Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
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So this has me thinking of an additional COA: 2a. Buy 3500HD 19.5 in. wheels and re-hoop them to 7.5 in. wide (from 6 in wide) so I can run 285/70R19.5 tires which are 35.4 in in diameter (tall) which is close enough to the original tire (36 in diameter). The tires would be 10.8 in. wide versus ~6.5 in. for the original so wheel offset might be an issue (approximately 4 in. More tire hanging off the inside of a front wheel) |
Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
I "think" the center hole on the 19.5 3500HD is only 5.25
Lots of good info here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=730717 Another option you didn't mention: Cut the center section out of your old and new wheels and weld the old wheel center section onto your new wheels. That way you've got your correct bolt pattern and no hub/lug pilot differences. |
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Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
Wow is this confusing.
Two members called Viking40. Both joined on the same month and year. One has 4 posts, the other has 5. |
Re: Thoughts Regarding Wheel and Axle Swap on 59 Viking 40
Here are some measurements:
Rear spring perch, 40 1/2" Rear WMS 66 1/2" Front spring perch 33" Front track(centor of one tire to center of the other, like you asked) 70" |
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