How to measure a wheel for sizing...

[studeclunker]

How do I measure a wheel's size? Besides, of course, trying it on the hub to see if it fits. For instance, I'm told someone has a 6X15 5.5 rim. I suppose the six is the number of lug holes and the fifteen is the height or diameter of the rim, how do I determine the 5.5 part? Is that the distance (on centre) of the lug holes? Or is it the distance across?


Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[garyash]

Try this: Download my wheel hole gauge PDF file, print it out (be sure to set it for "no scaling"). Check that you have it the correct size by placing a ruler on the printed scale on the bottom of the page. Lay it on the wheel or hub. Poke holes as necessary for studs, you can always print a new one.

Studebaker car wheels are 5-on-4.5, 1/2-ton truck wheels are 5-on-5. Exceptions are 1950 and earlier Commanders (5-on-5) and pre-1951 Champion cars ( 4 on something).

http://www.studegarage.com/images/other/wheel_hole_gauge.pdf

[img=left]http://www.studegarage.com/images/gary_ash_m5_sm.jpg[/img=left] Gary Ash
Dartmouth, Mass.
'48 M5
'65 Wagonaire Commander
'63 Wagonaire Standard
web site at http://www.studegarage.com

[oldguy]

I think that should read 6x15 5 on 5.5. Which would be 6 inches wide (tire mounting surface)by a 15 inch rim. with a 5 hole 5.5 bolt pattern. You measure from the center of one hole to the back side of the second hole over. (On a 4 or 6 lug you can measure the bolt diameter across the center hole, on a 5 hole it's an estimate. ) You can pick up plastic hole gauges at the swap meets for about $3 each. American standard and metric. Old rims are easy. New ones get tricky cause 4 3/4 is 120.7 mm and there are some 120 mm foreign ones. Very tough to measure.

San antonio TX. 53 Champion Coupe, to be brought back from the dead.
"Of course it will fit, I have a torch"

[oldguy]

A few unsolicited comments. 1. Many sellers have no idea what they have, or how to measure them.
2. I would guess the 5 on 5.5 as a truck rim.
3. Don't forget the backspacing.
4. buying rims without trying them on, is very dicey. Guess how I know?

San antonio TX. 53 Champion Coupe, to be brought back from the dead.
"Of course it will fit, I have a torch"

[studeclunker]

Hmmm... I just might get in a wee little bit of trouble for this but...

The size I quoted in the OP was for a trailer. I understand it's the same as a Dodge truck. The main reason for the question is that I'm considering a purchase of a '59 Airstream. It needs wheels and tyres. I happen to have a set that just might work, but they're off a Travel-eze. It has fifteen inch rims and they're also six lug. I just don't know how to measure to see if they'll fit. I just figure this trailer would look particularly good behind one of my vehicles, wheather it's a Champ or the wagon.

However, I wanted the info so that I could use it for my own vehicles as well, which are Studes.



Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[sweetolbob]

Don't forget about the center hole in the wheel. It needs to be large enought to fit over the hub. Also, a lot of applications depend on the center hole "centering" the wheel on the hub. Bob

[studeclunker]

quoteon't forget about the center hole in the wheel. It needs to be large enought to fit over the hub. Also, a lot of applications depend on the center hole "centering" the wheel on the hub. Bob

Oi!![:0] As if there wasn't enough to worry about. I forgot about that tidbit.[}] I just wish the silly thing wasn't six hundred miles away.[8]


Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[oldguy]

Studeclunker, just for clarification. Dodge half ton trucks are 5 on 5.5. 3/4 ton and up are 8 lug I believe, you mentioned 6 lug wheels? I believe Chevy 3/4 ton had a 6 on 5.5 pattern.

San antonio TX. 53 Champion Coupe, to be brought back from the dead.
"Of course it will fit, I have a torch"