Scott's '51 Build

[Scott2]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I hear you on hard to find 15" with 4 3/4 pattern steel wheels. I am buying them every time I see them for sale. I have a few 15x5 and 15x6 seem to be most common. I got lucky and found an old paper wheel exchange book at a tire store while getting my tires rotated, and found out which cars came factory with 15x7 4 3/4 pattern, they are less common than you think, and then did a search on car-part to see which yard had a car (it was a 1980 olds 88) in stock. I got all 4 for $100.

but even that is going to be a bit of a trick. like doug says, you can find about an width even 15x8 (my preference for a rear wheel, takes up to a 275 easily) on summit or jegs for low $$. they are dual drilled 4 3/4 and 4.5 but with caps on no one knows.

I think I have this figured out. I just made a round of calls and found a guy with a machine shop in his back yard. He's going to open up the center of the wheels I bought for $30 for two wheels. Great deal and they should fit fine after that - of course I still have to tub the rear. The real deal here may be finding the friendly machinist.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Scott2

The real deal here may be finding the friendly machinist.

haha may? $15 a wheel is hardly a blip. I would take him a 30pack as a tip

[Scott2]

Dropped the wheels off to get the centers machined out. However, in spite of these being 15" wheels, they do not clear the Wilwood brake calipers or the caliper brackets. Those are just mocked up right now so I'm pulling them off to get the wheels on. What a pain.

[Scott2]

Originally Posted by Scott2

Dropped the wheels off to get the centers machined out. However, in spite of these being 15" wheels, they do not clear the Wilwood brake calipers or the caliper brackets. Those are just mocked up right now so I'm pulling them off to get the wheels on. What a pain.

Long process to get rollers on this truck - hard to find any wheels at all around here, found some finally but had to machine the centers to clear the front hubs and then they hung up on the calipers and the steering linkage. Too much backspace so I ordered a set of 2" spacers. That worked and now it's on the ground and rolled outside for the first time in about 16 months.

Tires are 26-1/2" tall, front edge of the running board is 5" off the ground.

[Desert1957]

Originally Posted by Scott2

Long process to get rollers on this truck - hard to find any wheels at all around here, found some finally but had to machine the centers to clear the front hubs and then they hung up on the calipers and the steering linkage. Too much backspace so I ordered a set of 2" spacers. That worked and now it's on the ground and rolled outside for the first time in about 16 months.

Tires are 26-1/2" tall, front edge of the running board is 5" off the ground.

I like this ride height, Looks great.