Tubeless rims on an M37

[DAP]

Here are pictures of the tubeless rims I had made for my M37. Stockton Wheel welded in the Budd Center I sent them to a tubeless rim. It only took them 3 months this time. Usually it takes them longer.
Album address is
http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g2_itemId=12663
Indiivdual pictures are at:
http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g ... ewsIndex=1
http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g ... ewsIndex=1
http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g ... ewsIndex=1
http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g ... ewsIndex=1

[tbone1004]

what was the cost? and what is the rim diameter?

[DAP]

Welding, sandblasting, powder coating & shipping comes out to $250 per rim. Rim is 16 X 8 large ID draw

[ZGjethro]

Dap, I have been thinking of doing this an I have PMs out to a couple of people here about it. I have a couple of questions which I hope you can answer.
1) I think the stock rims are 16x6.5" ? is that right? I measured my rims while on the truck and the center on the outside seems about flush with the rim. Is your backspacing about the same as the original rims?
2) I would be running my new 9.00-16LT Power King tires. do you have any idea how that size of tire would work on your rims? It appears the additional width is all towards the outside, but that would look good on my truck.
3) What is involved in removing the tire centers? Are they riveted in?
4) Does this clear stock brakes and common disc brake conversions?
Thanks

John

[ZGjethro]

Dap, I went to the Stockton Wheel site and saw a 16x8 Power wagon wheel there. It was a flat center wheel as opposed to the dished Budds center. Did you by chance look at that option or price it out? I sent the same question to Stockton

[DAP]

Yes I went to the Stockton web site and saw the flate plate option and didn't like the look of it. I liked the Budd center look. To answer your questions:
1) yes I think so
2) Yes they should but since the Power Kings are bias ply I think you will have to use a tube - sort of defeats the purposes. The rim is slightly fatter but the back spacing is what controls how far out they stick. They stick out 1/4 - 1" further depending on the tire. Not noticable at all to me unless I am using a straight edge.
3) Old Budd Centers are riveted in, drill out rivets on drill press holding rim on block of wood. Yes it is a pain, lots of rivets. Take block of wood and heavy hammer and knock out center. If still rusted in place then sawzall outer rim in line with tube stem hole until it releases. Stockton turns down the Budd Center to about mid rivet hole any way.
4) Yes but that is why back spacing is so important. I got mine as close as possible allowing for caliper pad wear. That is why they stick out a tad.

[JimC]

I am in the midst of doing an AutoCad drawing of a stock 16-6.50H rim cross section if that would be of any help.

[ZGjethro]

Thanks Dap.. The tires are labelled as tubeless type so I will plan on using them. I also like the look of the Budd rims, but I am not sure if I want to go to that much of an effort.

Jim, I have found a diagram of the stock rim, but it was missing a backspace measurement.

[Master Yota]

ZG - have a look on the side of your new tires and see if there is a recommended rim width for those 9:00/16's (that info may also be available from the dealer or online). I would hesitate before mounting a 9" wide tire on an 8" wide wheel. IMO an 8" wheel is far to wide for such a narrow tire. It will be a real PIA to mount, and you risk popping the bead should you rub a curb the wrong way, or end up with a low air pressure situation...

Just my 0.5c (we don't have pennies anymore...lol )

[ZGjethro]

Master Yota. I have been looking around online and I have not found any specs for this tire. I have found some charts showing 6.5" rims for this size tire, but that probably goes back to the original NDTs. The only rim notice on the tire is to not mount them on 16.5" rims, but that should be a given. I suppose I could ask for 6.5" or 7" rims from Stockton as I like the tall narrow stance. I am also not going to a bigger tire as I had to take out the garage door trimmer piece to get inside and I barely squeeze in.

[DAP]

I am running Michelin 11.00 X 16 radials and also 9.00 X 16 radials on these rims and have no problem BUT I do not do extreme 4 wheeling. Just normal in the woods hauling firewood and on pavement. I never air down.

[DAP]

Here are some links to some tubeless rims with Budd centers that Stockton made for me in the past. I have Michelin XL 11.00 X 16 radial tires mounted on them. I no longer use weights but have switched to balance bags inside the tire. They do a better job and look nicer.
http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g ... ewsIndex=1
This picture shows how far front and rear tires stick out past the fender.
http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g ... ewsIndex=1
This picture shows the front tire
http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g ... ewsIndex=1
This shows how the tires look from looking straight on

Hopefully this gives a better idea of what I ended up with.

[JimC]

ZG, my drawing will have the stock backspace called out.

[tbone1004]

beautiful truck man, will have to see it in person the next time I swing by my parents house *also in Waxhaw*

I'd love to put some 1100's on mine, but I fear they have all been scrounged up. I'm still hoping there is a way to get a set of larger rims made to put 40" tires on it because don't like the really large sidewalls, especially for on road use. I prefer the 85 ish ratio

[DAP]

Come on by. Just call to make sure I am in and not out in the truck. Some time I need to take a picture of my "20 year project" It is a 1954 Marine OD truck. I am about 10 years into it and making very slow progress, currently making a wire harness from scratch. I have at least 1 of each style trailer that matches the blue truck so I feel very blessed.