1965 Origiinal wheel/tire change

[zoulas]

I have a 1965 GMC 2500 Panel with original wheel's. The tires are Michelin XCA with tubes. They are worn and cracking. I have a new set of tires. Where can I find a place to have them changed? I asked around and no one really has the know how to work on tires with tubes any more. I think they are split rim? Not sure. Any feedback? Is this something I can realistically tackle myself?

[BillT]

I believe they are Splits. I would leave them to the professionals especially when not being familiar with them. Try going to a Truck or Farm Tractor tire service dealer for help.

[jagarra]

I have the same rims on my truck. They are 3 pieces rims rather than the conventional split rim where there is a break on the outside piece. I change them myself but I have a manual tire changer. Had to rig up a plate, then blocks of wood to apply pressure on the edge.
I order to get to the locking ring which is located below the outer edge of the rim, the otter edge has to be pushed down past the locking ring, then the ring comes off with a large screwdriver or tire bar. then the whole tire and tube can be removed as a unit.
You may have a difficult time finding someone to do this, don't know where you are located to give you any assistance.
Once the tire is deflated getting the rim edge down is the trick, you would have to rig something up to push the rim down then it's pretty easy.

Saw that you were in NY, so helping out won't work. Maybe 2 big C clamps or bringing a weight down on the rim with equal length blocks between the weight source and rims

[Ed Snyder]

Originally Posted by zoulas

I have a 1965 GMC 2500 Panel with original wheel's. The tires are Michelin XCA with tubes. They are worn and cracking. I have a new set of tires. Where can I find a place to have them changed? I asked around and no one really has the know how to work on tires with tubes any more. I think they are split rim? Not sure. Any feedback? Is this something I can realistically tackle myself?

I would not try tackling myself that if I were you. Be advised that people have been killed while reinflating a tire for which the locking ring was not correctly reinstalled. Unless you're dead set on maintaining 100% originality for your panel, my advice is to buy different wheels.

By the way, my "one ton Suburban" was originally a panel like yours. Looks like the same color too.

[James]

Originally Posted by BillT

I believe they are Splits. I would leave them to the professionals especially when not being familiar with them. Try going to a Truck or Farm Tractor tire service dealer for help.

They should also have a tire inflation cage to contain the wheel should it decide to come apart during inflation.

[zoulas]

Thanks for the feedback. I am definitely not changing the rims. These original wheels look real nice when restored. The truck is 95% original and original owner (my father). The 5% that is not is the air cleaner and the carburetor. Definitely not tackling myself either. Thanks again.

[thenonoman]

Some states forbid tire shops from working on split rim wheels, but otherwise any shop that works on tires for big rigs should be able to hook you up. If you are determined to stay stock, you should obtain some bias tires. It is possible to mount radials on split rims, but it makes them wear funny and can lead to catastrophic failure.
https://www.sema.org/files/attachmen...el-Fitment.pdf

[Robert B.]

Had some on my ‘63, 3/4t, 4 wheel dr. Truthfully probably better to get a different wheel...in the long run. Some look-alike 8 lugs out there through LMC or “Wheel Vintiques”.


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[zoulas]

Hello, I came across this video, is this a close approximation of how these come apart? So there is the rim, the locking ring, and the outer ring. Are those are the three pieces Jagarra was referring to?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II2gTlAVTPc

[ilvracn]

are the tires 16 or 16.5?
they haven't made 16.5 tires in 30 years, you can still find them but they are junk, too old. if they are 16.5, i would recommend getting 16 inch wheels and tires