Wheels for 57' Transtar?

[tstar57]

I need some help on replacement wheels for my 57' Transtar 1/2 ton lwb. When I was at the meet in South Bend a fellow Stude nut said that to replace my 16" original wheels and bias ply tires that 65' Ford Galaxie wheels and radials will fit just fine! Before I pursue this any further I would appreciate any other feedback! There is no way I want to make a trip like that again on those tires! What an adventure![8)]

[52-fan]

If your truck still has the stock bolt pattern you need a Chevy truck pattern. The Ford car has the 5x4 1/2" pattern for Stude cars. I believe the pickups use a 5x5" pattern. Most wheels will need a thin spacer because of the ridge Studebaker trucks have around the face of the drum.
My brother uses Chevy pickup wheels on his 57 Transtar with the trim rings and has Stude decals on the center caps.Looks good and the wheels are readily available. At the big all make swap meet in Springfield,Mo.last summer we must have seen 30 sets.

1952 Champion Starlight since October,1971. 1962 Daytona
since May, 2007.Searcy,Arkansas

[Roscomacaw]

There are a number of BrandX wheels that will fit without spacers. I happen to have a set of '75 Lincoln wheels (stamped steel variety - I don't think the optional cast wheels for that year would seat properly) that fit the odd-shaped Stude brake drums. But there ARE others as well. Some 80s-90s GM Vans and some of the same vintage, full-size Caddys wear wheels with the correct lug pattern as well as the "deep-dish" configuration that will straddle the drum's odd face.
As 52-fan said, Ford CAR wheels won't even go on the studs, let alone get you down the road! They'd fit a Stude car alright, but that's because Stude cars have a different lug pattern than Stude trucks.

edited per Gary's vigilant proofreading.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Guido]

quote:Originally posted by Mr.Biggs
They'd fit a Stude car alright, but that's because Stude [u]cars</u> have a different lug pattern than Stude [u]cars</u>.

[:0] What did he say? [:0]

Decimal Dude (and still practicing: $1.00 U.S. = $.958313 CDN)

[tstar57]

Many thanks to 52-fan & Mr. Biggs for the info on the wheels choices for my Transtar. It sure makes it a lot easier to know that I have choices. Those 75' Lincoln wheels sure do look nice!
Thanks again!

[Roscomacaw]

Remember, I said "Stamped steel wheels" - not the fancy alloy ones. The reason is that the actual shape of the steel ones (and the steel ones used wheelcovers) fits the Stude drums without spacers or longer lug studs that such might dictate.
While your stock Stude TRUCK hub caps won't fit on the Lincoln steel wheels, 15" Stude CAR wheelcovers will fit. (I know, it's a bit confusing.)So you could use the Lincoln wheels on your truck with Studebaker CAR (full disc) wheelcovers to make them look nice.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe