Forum Discussion

moisheh's avatar
moisheh
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015

Split rims

Many of the vintage units built on Dodge chassis have split rims. Usually 17.5. What do most owners do about tires? Although radials are available I have been told they should not be installed on those rims. I just started doing the research but it appears that there are no substitute rims that will fit over the calipers on a Dodge. 19.5 rims will fit ( if you can find them in 5 lug) Moisheh
  • Some truck dealers in the NE will still change Splits but they are dangerous. Almost got killed by one blowing off once. Go with Budds.
    Rims for spoke wheels are generally referred to as "Daytons" since Dayton was a big manufacturer of spoke wheel/demountable rim systems. Stud-piloted disc wheels are commonly referred to as "Budds" since The Budd Corp. was the first to come out with these wheels. You hear hub-piloted disc wheels called "Unimounts" which is what Motor Wheel called their wheel when they first introduced hub-piloted wheels in the early 1980s.
  • Thx for the replies. Hikerdogs: The Chev wheels do not fit Dodges. Totally different. I think IHC and Dodge use the same wheels. A 16 inch won't fit over the caliper. Even the 19.5 have to be 5 lug and they are way too tall. Will change the gear ratio way too much.

    Moisheh
  • I had a dodge truck over 20 years ago that had split ring wheels. When I went to get new tires, I could not find a dealer that would put tires on those rims. I had to go to a salvage yard to get a set of used one piece wheels, then they would sell tires to me.
    I haven't had split rims since then.
    IMO, you need to get new wheels!
  • If the "new" 17" standard rim will not fit over the caliper then you are stuck with 19.5 rims which are plentiful for 4500-5500 Ram & Ford trucks. Tires are a little more expensive but the load rating is a lot higher. It also depends if they are 8 bolt or the more common 6 bolt on those chassis.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    I will second a good tire dealer,, Split rims are a whole special caution set.. I have driven trucks with 'em.
  • Most split rims can be replaced with standard steel wheels. I had an older Chevy 1 ton that originally came with split rims. When it needed new tires the dealer suggested I change them over.

    It's been many years but I believe they were changed out for 19.5" rims. The new rims were the same width and had the same number of holes on the same center distance. Although the rims were larger in diameter the overall size of the rims and tires were identical to the previous 17.5" combination.

    A good tire dealer should be able to tell you if a standard replacement rim is available for your particular wheel.