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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels?
Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243766] Sun, 16 March 2014 13:01 Go to next message
quadracerx1 is currently offline  quadracerx1   United States
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Registered: April 2013
Location: Puyallup, Washington
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I've been watching the posts about steel wheels, although I have not looked for them yet.... I will eventually...

My question is why doesn't one of the GMC suppliers Applied GMC, Coop GMC, etc. offer these?

Certainly seems like there is a market... I'm sure not everyone has the money for Alcoa Aluminum wheels...

LOL Ok, maybe I'm the only one who is so frugal....

Please don't flame this post, its just an honest question...

Thanks,

Steve


75 26' GMC Glenbrook Puyallup, Washington
Re: Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243768 is a reply to message #243766] Sun, 16 March 2014 13:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gadabout is currently offline  Gadabout   United States
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Location: Edmonton
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Senior Member
Hi Steve ,

I know that Alex Sirum stocks the GMC truck style wheels that work on our motor homes , he also has some original wheels in various ranges of condition. I expect other vendors offer the same.

Until recently Tom Whitton made custom wheels, but I understand he no longer has the materials necessary to produce more.

All that being said, I am in the market for an original steering wheel for our Gadabout Project and will pay reasonable $ for one in excellent condition with no cracks.

Hope this helps


Carl Harr : Driver NASCAR Pro Series #2
1978 Gadabout-Restoring
1978 Palm Beach
1976 Glenbrook
Prevost Featherlite H3-45

[Updated on: Sun, 16 March 2014 13:13]

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Re: Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243772 is a reply to message #243766] Sun, 16 March 2014 13:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Otterwan   United States
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Mainly because they only made them for a few vehicles for a few years 25 years ago (from about 1975 to 1990), and those vehicles were designed for hard use, so even when you find them they are bent, rusted, cracked, and not fit for use.

Like many on here I finally decided that all the time and energy I was expending trying to find a decent set was worth more to me than the cost of a set of Alcoas or Eagles.


1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."

[Updated on: Sun, 16 March 2014 13:52]

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Re: Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243794 is a reply to message #243766] Sun, 16 March 2014 16:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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Registered: April 2011
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quadracerx1 wrote on Sun, 16 March 2014 13:01

I've been watching the posts about steel wheels, although I have not looked for them yet.... I will eventually...

My question is why doesn't one of the GMC suppliers Applied GMC, Coop GMC, etc. offer these?

Certainly seems like there is a market... I'm sure not everyone has the money for Alcoa Aluminum wheels...

LOL Ok, maybe I'm the only one who is so frugal....

Please don't flame this post, its just an honest question...

Thanks,

Steve
I was looking up old posts on the subject. The conclusion was that you could not buy a NEW AMERICAN MADE steel wheel that will fit. The NEW ones are made in China. Jim K does not like selling Chinese stuff. He loses money.

FYI, the ones here LOOK like they will work with the OEM front calipers. Dunno about 80mm calipers.

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=5224&SEName=126202

But we won't know for sure until someone buys one and tries it and reports back here. About $90 at risk when shipping is factored in. I need one steel wheel to replace one I have with a hub hole that is oversized, maybe I will try one.
Re: Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243797 is a reply to message #243772] Sun, 16 March 2014 16:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
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The time you spend looking for the 16" wheels, finding them, having them sandblasted, painted or powder coated you will be well over $100 each.
You don't have to buy 6 aluminum wheels all at the same time.
Re: Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243799 is a reply to message #243797] Sun, 16 March 2014 16:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
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Gadabout....I sent you a PM regarding the steering wheel.
Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243811 is a reply to message #243794] Sun, 16 March 2014 17:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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G'day,

See the post Volunteer needed in Dallas.

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243833 is a reply to message #243811] Sun, 16 March 2014 19:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ron Morrison is currently offline  Ron Morrison   United States
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I saw two on ebay today???

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2014 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels?


> G'day,
>
> See the post Volunteer needed in Dallas.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
>
>
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243834 is a reply to message #243833] Sun, 16 March 2014 19:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Harry is currently offline  Harry   Canada
Messages: 1888
Registered: October 2007
Location: Victoria, BC CANADA
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Senior Member
[quote title=Ron Morrison wrote on Sun, 16 March 2014 17:09]I saw two on ebay today???


Shipping is more than the cost of the wheel.

Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243846 is a reply to message #243833] Sun, 16 March 2014 19:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Ron,

I'm trying to find a company in the USA that has 16" wheels so that a GMC owner in Australia who does not want to by Eagles or
Alcoas will have somewhere he can call up, order seven, and get them shipped to Australia.

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ron Morrison
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2014 11:10 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels?

I saw two on ebay today???

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2014 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels?

> G'day,
>
> See the post Volunteer needed in Dallas.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243849 is a reply to message #243768] Sun, 16 March 2014 19:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
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Registered: November 2009
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Senior Member
The wheels that WERE being made by Tom Whitton were just steering wheels as far as I know. One of his final batch is due here on Tuesday.

Mac in OKC
Money Pit
'76 ex-P.B.


Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 16, 2014, at 13:12, "Carl" <pobox@albertamail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Steve ,
>
> I know that Alex Sirum stocks the GMC truck style wheels that work on our motor homes , he also has some original wheels in various ranges on condition. I expect other vendors offer the same.
>
> Until recently Tom Whitton made custom wheels, but I understand he no longer has the materials necessary to produce more.
>
> All that being said, I am in the marker for an original steering wheel for our Gadabout Project and will pay reasonable $ for one in excellent condition with no cracks.
>
> Hope this helps
> --
> Carl Harr : Driver NASCAR Pro Series #2
> 1978 Gadabout-Restoring
> 1978 Palm Beach
> 1976 Glenbrook
> Prevost Featherlite H3-45
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Re: Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243899 is a reply to message #243766] Mon, 17 March 2014 09:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
quadracerx1 is currently offline  quadracerx1   United States
Messages: 207
Registered: April 2013
Location: Puyallup, Washington
Karma: 1
Senior Member
If you use these spacers will it then allow clearance for the front caliper? To allow me to use any steel dually wheel from 73-2000?

http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/656

Thanks,

Steve


75 26' GMC Glenbrook Puyallup, Washington
Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels? [message #243902 is a reply to message #243846] Mon, 17 March 2014 09:33 Go to previous message
Ultravan Owners is currently offline  Ultravan Owners   Canada
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Registered: March 2013
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Senior Member
USAussie wrote on Sun, 16 March 2014 20:53

Ron,

I'm trying to find a company in the USA that has 16" wheels so that a GMC owner in Australia who does not want to by Eagles or
Alcoas will have somewhere he can call up, order seven, and get them shipped to Australia.

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ron Morrison
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2014 11:10 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels?

I saw two on ebay today???

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2014 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Why is it so difficult to find steel wheels?

> G'day,
>
> See the post Volunteer needed in Dallas.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>

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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist




Rob,

If you have not already seen it.
http://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=msg&goto=243892&rid=3252#msg_243892


Tony (Ontario Canada)
Marie and I are blessed to have had a 2nd chance to buy our farm.
Still hoping and more importantly praying to be able to build a garage.
Our 1970 Ultravan #520 has an Olds Toronado 455 in back.
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