replace wheels with steel wheels. help please.

woofa.express

woofa.express

Well-known member
Help requested please.

I am wanting to substitute steel wheels for my wire wheels on my 1930 Roadster.
Why you may well ask? To buy tyres for the original 17 inch wheels is expensive. Our AUD is very low and the exchange rate will cost the tyres at 250 to 400 AUD. Freight from USA is also a killer. So that is the reason; purely economics.
What will fit? Is anyone currently using them or has in the past?
 
woofa.express said:
Help requested please.

I am wanting to substitute steel wheels for my wire wheels on my 1930 Roadster.
Why you may well ask? To buy tyres for the original 17 inch wheels is expensive. Our AUD is very low and the exchange rate will cost the tyres at 250 to 400 AUD. Freight from USA is also a killer. So that is the reason; purely economics.
What will fit? Is anyone currently using them or has in the past?
Click to expand...

Maybe measurements on original export vehicles were different but stateside, a 1930 Roadster originally came with 19" wheels and not 17".

In the states, a mid 1970s Ford pick-ups (-amongst a few others) used a 5 on 5½" lug pattern that used a 15" tire. Since I am unfamiliar with what is available down under, all I can suggest is look for something local to your area that uses that same lug pattern.
 
woofa.express said:
Help requested please.

I am wanting to substitute steel wheels for my wire wheels on my 1930 Roadster.
Why you may well ask? To buy tyres for the original 17 inch wheels is expensive. Our AUD is very low and the exchange rate will cost the tyres at 250 to 400 AUD. Freight from USA is also a killer. So that is the reason; purely economics.
What will fit? Is anyone currently using them or has in the past?
Click to expand...

wheels from a 2001 Chevy tracker or a Suzuki samurai bolt directly on with no modification , I have used these this no issues. I have pictures but cant upload for some reason , I can send them to you by email if you want?
 
Several cars & trucks had the 5 on 51/2" bolt pattern, some Chrysler products & Jeeps, for instance. The problem is the A's have a step in the brake drum, most wheels are flat where they contact the drum. If you don't allow for this the wheels are not supported correctly and are likely to crack. wheel adapters are available for this, or you can fabricate a ring to replicate the A drum. Ford's 1940-48 are 16", Mercury & Lincoln '49-??? are 15". Some are wider than others.
 
A modern steel/ aluminum wheel conversion kit might be a great idea for the parts vendors to offer. Include wheels and adapters to allow for a modern radial tire.
 
Jim Brierley said:
Several cars & trucks had the 5 on 51/2" bolt pattern, some Chrysler products & Jeeps, for instance. The problem is the A's have a step in the brake drum, most wheels are flat where they contact the drum. If you don't allow for this the wheels are not supported correctly and are likely to crack. wheel adapters are available for this, or you can fabricate a ring to replicate the A drum. Ford's 1940-48 are 16", Mercury & Lincoln '49-??? are 15". Some are wider than others.
Click to expand...

that is false, In the case of tracker and Suzuki wheels they fit and perform flawlessly.
 
B6D9DDCC-455C-426A-98A6-2E60A2DBEE52.jpg. these wheels from 2001 chev tracker, fit flush , the large centre hole in rim permits rim to mount flat/flush with drum. believe it or not.
 
canadian said:
View attachment 424729. these wheels from 2001 chev tracker, fit flush , the large centre hole in rim permits rim to mount flat/flush with drum. believe it or not.
Click to expand...


Most solid wheels with the correct bolt pattern do not have a center hole large enough to fit over the raised ring present on Model A hubs without interference. Adapters used to be available to raise the rest of the hub/drum surface to that of the inner ring. Do these Chevy wheels have a large enough hole, or have you enlarged it?


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424730
 

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  • Model A Ford front hub #1.JPG
    Model A Ford front hub #1.JPG
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Autotrader says:
"Although the Samurai is dead to the U.S. market, it lives on elsewhere in the world under names such as the Sierra, the Katana and the Jimny. Because Suzuki pulled the Samurai from the States in 1995, we missed out on the vehicle's first major update, including coil springs and a better interior. Suzuki still makes the Jimny to this day -- and while the current version dates from 1998, it's still a tough-as-nails mini off-roader. You can buy one in Japan, Australia and South America... but not here."

I was looking at a new hail damaged Jimney recently. That's the hail after the fires ... before the pandemic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs1P_wbGnA4
 
Randy in ca said:
Most solid wheels with the correct bolt pattern do not have a center hole large enough to fit over the raised ring present on Model A hubs without interference. Adapters used to be available to raise the rest of the hub/drum surface to that of the inner ring. Do these Chevy wheels have a large enough hole, or have you enlarged it?


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424730
Click to expand...

yes the rim I am using fits exactly outside that rim, no adapters,
 
im running steel all around . got them new from Les Schaub . nice straight wheels , fit perfect .
 
Canadian,
I zoomed into your picture but could not make out the tire size. Are these 15 or 16" rims? Do you happen to know the rim with and backspacing?
Thanks,
Mike
 
canadian, so maybe my post was actually true! I've been playing with performance A's since 1956, and I have learned a thing or two.
 
PAracer said:
Canadian,
I zoomed into your picture but could not make out the tire size. Are these 15 or 16" rims? Do you happen to know the rim with and backspacing?
Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...

15 inch, P205/70R/15. Not sure on rim width or backspacing. I needed rims for storage and after trying several these were suggested from a Face Book Model A site. I am well aware of the drum design with raised ridge, these wheels have a large centre by design. these fit flush . I offered this as a suggestion to a member who was looking for alternative , these are not for the purist . these rims are from a Canadian Chevrolet tracker, exact same as Suzuki Samurai , 2001. all the other 5 x5.5 rims I tried would not clear centre and were not touching drum. and again this was supposed to try and help someone out, if they didn't fit safely I wouldn't suggest.
 
Jim Brierley said:
canadian, so maybe my post was actually true! I've been playing with performance A's since 1956, and I have learned a thing or two.
Click to expand...

No you are spreading false information, what was your result when you tried a 2001 Chev Tracker rim ? 5 stud , 5.5 lug spacing? So now in your book of knowledge since 56 you can add that... Canadian Banned.
 
Jim Brierley said:
Several cars & trucks had the 5 on 51/2" bolt pattern, some Chrysler products & Jeeps, for instance. The problem is the A's have a step in the brake drum, most wheels are flat where they contact the drum. If you don't allow for this the wheels are not supported correctly and are likely to crack. wheel adapters are available for this, or you can fabricate a ring to replicate the A drum. Ford's 1940-48 are 16", Mercury & Lincoln '49-??? are 15". Some are wider than others.
Click to expand...

I've read this several times and looked at the picture. Which bit is false?
 
updraught said:
I've read this several times and looked at the picture. Which bit is false?
Click to expand...

if this is directed to me, it is stated by Jim who has been hands on since 1956 that you must use a spacer or ring to mount a 5.5 wheel, and nothing will work unless there is a spacer. false.
 
Jim Brierley said:
Several cars & trucks had the 5 on 51/2" bolt pattern, some Chrysler products & Jeeps, for instance. The problem is the A's have a step in the brake drum, most wheels are flat where they contact the drum. If you don't allow for this the wheels are not supported correctly and are likely to crack. wheel adapters are available for this, or you can fabricate a ring to replicate the A drum. Ford's 1940-48 are 16", Mercury & Lincoln '49-??? are 15". Some are wider than others.
Click to expand...




Not trying to take sides but it plainly says "most wheels". I don't see where it says "all wheels"... just saying...:)


TOB
 
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