Wheel Thoughts

[Machspeed]

In the not too distant future, I want to put some 31's on my truck and have been eyeballing some wheels a friend of mine has.

The wheels he has are the OEM wheels that came on the higher level models of our trucks. See picture below. The wheels will need to be repainted or powder coated. The factory color is argent but I am considering painting them gloss black and keeping with the chrome/red striped beauty rings and chrome center section. My truck is black with red pinstripes and I'm thinking this might look better than the argent, at least with my truck. I know this is purely subjective but I welcome the input. Thanks!

 

[rcarlisle]

I would stay silver of it were mine.  Black wheels disappear in my opinion.   But it would be a sinister balcony truck with black wheels.  Chrome rims and centers would give it a pop.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I think they'd look great with chrome center caps and the red stripe beauty rings.

31" is not very big.  What kind of tire is that in 15"?

[Rembrant]

I ran a set of Cragar Soft-8 black wheels on my '84 for the first couple summers. I'm up and down on black wheels...I like them on some things, and then dislike them on others. For those factory spoked wheels, it would be my personal preference to paint them the factory argent color, but that's just me. PS: They came in two versions...15x7, and 15x8 (later on the Bronco's with the 31" tire package). I actually have an alert set up for them on Ebay from a couple years ago.

Back when I first got her in her faded and chalky blue paint. First thing I did was add the wheels and tires.

One of Christopher Lott's trucks below with the argent spoked wheels and 31" tires, at stock height (sitting fairly tall I might add). 31's and those factory spoked wheels look wicked.

[Whisler]

I have a set of wheels from my '84 that look very similar to those but they are aluminum (Kelsey Hayes I suspect). They need some corrosion removed and re-polished. Currently have them on local marketplace for sale. Hoping someone local can put them to use.

[ClayJ]

Rusty currently wears 31x10.5 R 15's. Without the 2.5 inch lift they rubbed the radius arms pretty good.

[ArdWrknTrk]

How much lift do you have John?
Blackie is definitely sitting higher than the red truck.

Like Randy said, I'm not a fan of the all black soft-8's (for your truck)

[kramttocs]

Another vote for not black wheels

[grumpin]

I’ve seen a look lately, probably been around it’s just that I don’t always see a lot!

Black rims, I think one I saw on this forum had steelies, with the chrome center cap and a chrome beauty ring.

I like it! I think it’s cool to fancy up steelies, always liked them.

[Machspeed]

After seeing the silver/grey truck Corey posted above and noting the comments, think I'm going to keep with the argent. Even my son likes the argent look and that gen puts black on everything. Appreciate the input on this, gentlemen.

Interesting note on the 31's rubbing. I posted on this sometime back and some said it was minimal and not worth the concern. I do not intend to lift my truck, as I want to be able to get it in both my house and garage. It's days of sleeping outside are gone!  The current height is stock as far as I know, as that is how I bought it, but as Jim noted, it is certainly higher than the red truck I posted on. Should I be concerned with the 31's?  
 

[grumpin]

I agree on the rubbing being interesting.

That’s the size tire I put on my Bronco, no rubbing, want to put that size on my truck when I need tires.

[Gary Lewis]

It probably depends on the tires.  The 31's that were on Rusty when I sold him were wider than normal, so that may have contributed to the rubbing.

I'd go on Tire Rack and compare the widths of tires.  Maybe even find out what is on Rusty from Clay.

[Machspeed]

Gary, Clay posted above stating that Rusty is wearing exactly what I had thought to put on my truck...... 31x10.5 R 15's.

[Gary Lewis]

Sorry, I missed that.  But the specific tire makes a difference.  I just went to Tire Rack and compared 5 different tires of that size and found a tread width difference from 8.1" to 8.8".  And I'm remembering the tires on Rusty as being quite wide, so maybe they are even wider than 8.8"?

In other words, I'd compare the exact tire I was considering to one that is known to rub, like those on Rusty.  Maybe the difference would keep them for rubbing?

[ClayJ]

I measured the Coopers on Rusty three times and the average was 8 5/8" width. I definitely agree with Gary that not all tire measurements are the same. Here's a picture of the area where these 31's were rubbing on the radius arm prior to the suspension lift.

[ArdWrknTrk]

As said above, being on a 7 or an 8" factory rim  will make more difference even between the exact same tire.

Once you get into aftermarket rims, with their various backspacing all bets are off.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I just saw some wheels like John was asking about in another thread.

Black rim, chrome centers and a beauty ring with red stripe.

Damned if I know where it went though.  

[grumpin]

I probably shouldn’t worry about rubbing on my F250, there are semis with a tighter turning radius.

[kramttocs]

Truer words have never been spoken. Pull out of a parking spot thinking there is nothing but wide open space. Next thing I know I am doing a 10 point turn.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I know at least with four wheel drive that's true.
Something about the way and TTB front end and the leaf springs intersect.
Gary has a d60 in his 250.
Maybe he has something to say about before and after?