Thread: Help me out on chosing the right wheels!

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I'm at the point where I'm going to need to get some wheels coming for the 52 GMC pickup. It's not going to have a severely modified look...all of the orginal body parts will remain as the factory issued them, but we'll have air bag suspension, 383 stroker engine, and a nice high metalic/pearled silver and dusty rose paint scheme.


(the rose looks a lot redder in the pic than it really is...)

I've not yet learned to like the "wagon wheel" look that's been increasing in popularity the past few years, but I don't want to get totally mired down in the 60's and 70's either. Thought the wife (who is claiming this pickup) might like the idea of a painted stock wheel with baby moons and beauty rings or something, but she's more interested in a full shiney aluminum wheel.
I'm considering something perhaps along the lines of what I've got on the Studester...


but that type doesn't let any of the dusty rose color of the drums and calipers show through.

What is your thoughts of what would look great on this truck? Post links or images of what you've got in mind. I can't afford the high-dollar wheels some people are sporting...I've gotta stay pretty conservative on them.

What vendor offers the best pricing on a good quality wheel?

Certainly look forward to some input from the all of you rodders...

Wheels are certainly one of the hardest things to choose... If the truck won't be to modified, I'd go for the shiny steel wheel & trim rings / baby moons.

There isn't a right or wrong choice. You will get two dozen different choices on here, but it's all about what you and your wife like.

It sounds like you need to find the choices you can afford... see if you can agree on one... and if you don't agree, flip a coin... or maybe try to keep the cheerleader on your team. :-)

I really like you all color choice, but like stated above, Its what you all like,Me just throw a set of Tork thrusts and be done. prob is them being so over used and may not be fitting for yours.

Originally Posted by spika

Thought the wife (who is claiming this pickup) might like the idea of a painted stock wheel with baby moons and beauty rings or something, but she's more interested in a full shiney aluminum wheel.

If my wife had enough interest to claim a project that I was building, I'd contact all the wheel manufacturers and have them send me a color brochure. I'd sit down and mark with a Sharpie pen, the wheels that would work on the truck. Then I'd present her with the brochures and let her pick the wheel she likes.
Wheels, Rims, Wheel Manufacturers, Wheel Dealers, Installers, Wire Wheels, Mags, Hubcaps

Personally, I am a five-spoke fan, and most older vehicles look quite good with five-spokes. However, I do understand people wanting something different. I would recommend looking on www.tirerack.com. They have some pretty good prices, and you can also choose a vehicle to see what a particular looks like on that vehicle but I don't know how close you can come to your pickup's body style.

I have to agree with HRP on choosing wheels, after all it is "Y'alls" Ride, however, as you mentioned, the color coded steelies with chrome caps and beauty rings sure do look good on a pick-em-up truck. Bottomline is, if your wheel choice turns out even half as nice as your paint, then you will have an awesome ride no matter the selection.

I like the style on my car which lets the calipers 'shine through', The ones you show on the Studester while nice, wont IMHO do a thing for your new one. This is what my 5 spokers look like. The front calipers are polished Wilwoods, but I actually like the contrasting black rears better. The only reason for not changing - $$$$

IMG_0125.JPG

Here's what I went with.

I think a painted rim would look good with chrome caps and wheel rings.

Those look really nice, Dave...I've thought about that general style as well. I suspect those are around a $5-600 wheel? Thanks for your input!

Originally Posted by Don Dalton

Attachment 49417

Here's what I went with.

I think a painted rim would look good with chrome caps and wheel rings.

Don, I'm kind of with you...the accent paint color could really make the rig look sharp. Just need the right kind of picture to show the better half so she can see what I'm envisioning...

The way I came up with a wheel was to look at about a million wheels then the last one I looked at was the one I went with.

Originally Posted by rumrumm

Personally, I am a five-spoke fan, and most older vehicles look quite good with five-spokes. However, I do understand people wanting something different. I would recommend looking on Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels. They have some pretty good prices, and you can also choose a vehicle to see what a particular looks like on that vehicle but I don't know how close you can come to your pickup's body style.

Thanks, Lynn...that's a cool site...would be better if they had a 52 GM pickup to show them on, but that would be asking a lot!!!

Originally Posted by sg4356

The way I came up with a wheel was to look at about a million wheels then the last one I looked at was the one I went with.

Now there's a piece of wisdom!!! Thanks!

Maybe post a shot of the truck, and then have some of the photo shop boys on here help change the wheels and tires. Nothing like seeing them on to get a quick idea if you like it or not. I had a black CJ7 that had huge 5 white spoke wheels on it. After driving it cross country the tires were worn, when I got to Wyoming where I was working that summer. I figured I'd ditch the 33" tires and go back to 31", and needed to replace the wheels. I asked for chrome 5 spokes instead of the white ones I had. I figured chrome would go great with the black paint. Boy I was wrong, I hated it when I saw them mounted! They made the jeep look cheap! Luckily the tire shop, swapped out for white spokes like I started with. You just never know until you can see them mounted. Even the tires and tread patterns make such a huge difference in the finished look!