I am going crazy trying to find some wheels to fit my 1966 GMC 8 lug 3/4 ton. I have measured the backspacing with the tires off of the original split rim and the 2001 GMC 2500HD wheel to make it easier. The backspacing on the original was exactly 5 1/8 inches and the 2001 wheel measured at 4 7/8 inches backspacing. The center holes are same and the bolt pattern is the same. However, the lug nut holes are bigger (14mm) on my newer wheel than my old split rim (1/2 inch). Can I use the newer wheel SAFELY or is there going to be too much slop because the lug is smaller than it should be compared to the lug nut hole on the wheel? Can't I just use some tapered acorn lug nuts or should/can I replace the wheel studs with 9/16 or 14 mm size? Does anyone know if these are screw in or pressed in wheel studs? I thought I had the problem solved until the guy at the tire shop today said there would be too much slop and I would have to keep a close eye on things and keep checking the torque on the lug nuts. He said if I didn't the wheel(s) might fall off. That made me nervous! Please tell me if this true or not, I sure don't know. I am trying to get as many professional opinions as I can.
I believe that they are pressed in and the guy at the tire shop is right ; if the lugs nuts aren't tight you could lose a tire. I wouldn't take the chance. I am not sure about the size part of your ?? though; sorry. I have almost the same problem; my rims are too thick and the studs aren't long enough so the guy told me to either get longer studs or get differnt type lug nuts. I already got longer studs and had to take the hubs to shop to get them pressed in, so sorry if i couldn't be of more help. good luck!!!
if the wheels are able to accept acorn style lugs hat should work. most imports have holes in the wheels a lil bigger then the lugs and use those style lugs to keep the wheel seated properly. however the sotck wheels also are hubcentricl so the hub keeps the wheel centered onj the hub. if the wheels are hubcentric you should be fine. if not see if you can get hub centering rings (they have the outer diameter to fit tightly into the rim and has the inner diameter to fit tightly over the center of the hub.). that would keep the wheel perfectly centered so you can use acorn style nuts.
Without knowing anything about wheels, both (new and old) appear to have the same taper - 60 degrees and look like they can accept acorn style lugs. The large center hole of the wheels look identical. The newer wheels fit on the hubs like a glove. I wish someone knew if the center holes are the same factory specs. One guy told me to buy 7/8 inch lug nuts with a half inch hole and then it should seat better. How does that sound? Someone must tried this before me. I really would love to have a concrete answer on what to do and what would make it safe without having to drill and install larger wheel lugs.Thanks for your help.
call a rim shop and ask them do the wheels ou have have the right center bore for the truck your putting them on. if not ask them for the hub centering rings. then you can put them on with acorn style lug nuts without worry. if it is the right center bore then you should be fine.
