What is this stuff i hear about split rims being dangerous? Is this true, and do i have split rims? I'm about to drive grandpa's 65 c-10 longbed back to Michigan from the Kansas barn it sat in for 30yrs. Since it still has a few of its original tires, I'm planning on getting some fresh rubber in Witchita before the drive. I was considering shelving the 15" six lug sock rims and putting on some alloys, but since the truck is so clean and original (62k mi, no rust, no dents, factory paint) I have been leaning towards minting out the truck stock and picking up fresh caps and rings. Is it okay to drive in the rims that are on the truck now? It will be a fairweather daily driver. I have been driving on stock rims on a '58 and later a '59 Apache for 10 years now without a problem.
SPLIT RIMS AREN'T DANGEROUS,UNLESS YOUR A TIRE SHOP EMPLOYEE.UNTIL THE TIRES ARE INFLATED AND THE RIM HAS SOME ROAD TIME TO SEAT THE LOCKING RING THEY ARE EXTREMILY DANGEROUS.FOR EXAMPLE, YOUR INFLATING THIS TIRE ON A SPLIT RIM AND THE LOCKING RING BLOWS OUT IF IT HITS YOU YOUR PROBALY GOING TO EXPERIENCE GREAT PAIN IF YOU LIVE.MOST TIRE SHOPS STRAY AWAY FROM SPLIT RIMS SOME WON'T EVEN WORK ON THEM.THE TRUCKING INDUSTY HAS GONE TO ONE PIECE RIMS ON TRUCKS BECAUSE TO MANY PEOLPE HAVE BEEN HURT BY THESE RIMS. DON'T ATTEMPT TO CHANGE TIRES ON THESE RIMS IF YOUR NOT A PROFFESIONAL OR HAVE A CAGE TO PUT IT IN WHILE INFLATING.I HAVE WORKED ON A LOT OF SPILT RIMS,BUT HATE TO,IT MAKES MY KNEES SHAKE A LITTLE THINKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF THIS THING GETTING OUT OF HAND.BE CAREFUL.I HAVE NEVER HAD A LOCKING RING BLOW OFF WHILE INFLATING ONE BUT HAVE SEEN EVIDENCE ON WALLS THE SIDE OF CAGES THOUGH DOORS ECT. KEEP IN MIND ONE PIECE RIMS MEANS LESS PARTS TO PAINT.HOPE THIS HELPS YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.
Thanks 327pup. I guess I'll assume that I have split rims on my 65 C-10. If the tire shop in Witchita is willing to mount and balance then I'm going for staying stock. I'll be sure to keep my speeds low for the first 50 miles.