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Modern Wheels for an R-Series 1955 E7

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  • Wheels / Tires: Modern Wheels for an R-Series 1955 E7

    Last weekend at Back To The 50s I had the opportunity to talk to a lot of Studebaker owners from other areas. One fellow was asking us about wheels for his R-series truck. He was having trouble finding information about wheel cross-references on line so I asked him to email me the questions and I'd see if I could find someone who knew the answer:

    Basically he wants to put solid steel wheels on his truck and use tubeless radials. The truck is a 1955 E7 short box half ton with a V8. The original wheels are 15 inch clincher lock ring tube type rims. He does not want to deal with split rims and rings. He's been told that Chevy truck rims would fit but he has some concern about the center hole size. The originals appear to be 3.25 while the Chevy is listed at 3.1 (78.3 mm). These Chevy rims would be 15x5, 5.5, or 6 with 5x5 lugs for '67 to '87 trucks and vans. He wants to avoid spacers and longer lugs.

    Have any members used these Chevy rims on their trucks?

    I'd also be interested if someone had a source for custom wheels for this application. I'd like to pass on any information that might help.

    Bob



  • #2
    There’s some conflicting info here.

    The R series trucks are 1949-1954

    Half tons didn’t use wheels with split rims or lock rings.

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    • #3
      Here are the wheels I am using on my Champ pickup, would also work on an E7 which is a 1/2-ton:
      Vehicle: CHEVROLET Express Van
      OEM Numbers: Replaces OEM#: 09592418
      Full name: CHEVROLET VAN CHEVY EXPRESS
      Description: STEEL WHEEL, 15 X 6, 4 SLOT
      Wheel Size: 15 x 6

      Link to the whole thread on this truck: https://forum.studebakerdriversclub....ration-project
      Paul
      Winston-Salem, NC
      Visit The Studebaker Skytop Registry website at: www.studebakerskytop.com
      Check out my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/r1lark

      Check out my NOS Studebaker parts For Sale here:
      http://partsforsale.studebakerskytop.com/

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      • #4
        Originally posted by mbstude View Post
        There’s some conflicting info here.

        The R series trucks are 1949-1954

        Half tons didn’t use wheels with split rims or lock rings.
        Sorry for the confusion. I am more of an M-Series guy. I thought everything from '49 and prior to the Champ was considered an R-Series. The wheel information was what was passed on to me.
        Last edited by BobWaitz; 06-24-2021, 02:39 PM.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by r1lark View Post
          Here are the wheels I am using on my Champ pickup, would also work on an E7 which is a 1/2-ton:
          Vehicle: CHEVROLET Express Van
          OEM Numbers: Replaces OEM#: 09592418
          Full name: CHEVROLET VAN CHEVY EXPRESS
          Description: STEEL WHEEL, 15 X 6, 4 SLOT
          Wheel Size: 15 x 6

          Link to the whole thread on this truck: https://forum.studebakerdriversclub....ration-project
          Thanks! I will pass that along!

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          • #6
            I used wheels from a 2 wheel drive blazer on my 56 c-cab,also I believe 70's Cadillac fit if he wants to stay narrower.

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            • #7
              I understand his concern, but he has already gotten partial answers on the Stude Truck Talk forum (first three posts are on another subject):
              https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/stud...21-t24771.html

              No one who responded has any idea where the wheels on his truck came from. Locking-rim wheels were not used on Stude half-ton trucks, at least since 1940. Fifteen-inch truck wheels did not become available until the 1949 2R series.

              Bob Johnstone's site has a good explanation of how to modify the Stude truck hubs to accommodate commonly available plain-jane Chevy/GMC half-ton brake drums and wheels. This includes widening the central hole. Another option is to use the GM truck wheels with spacers and longer studs. Some full-size GM cars also used 15" wheels with the 5 x 5" bolt pattern. However, one usually has to add spacers and change studs.

              It would be interesting to know the origin of his current wheels, but any identifying marks probably can't be seen while tires are mounted on them. Bottom line: either buy the correct Stude truck wheels, or modify his truck to accept the GM wheels.
              Skip Lackie

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