Mag Wheels

N

nate chase

New member
Apr 26, 1999
553
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I just bought a set of new tires for my stock 16.5"ers. Now I see the mags
are very popular. I already have an offer to sell these stockers to my uncle
with his '73 Painted Desert 230.

1. Do the mags really make a big difference in handling or performance?
2. Are there different types, styles, etc?
3. Wheres the best place to purchase them?
4. What tires are the best to buy for these 16" rims?

Thanks in advance to a new GMC'er.

Nate Chase
'75 Glenbrook
Omaha, NE
 
Nate,
I just put a set of Alcoa Aluminum wheel on my GMC. The Alcoa's are a
truer wheel and easy to balance. The Classic has the highest load
rating and is the most popular. The LTS model of the Alcoa wheel has a
330 pound less rating then the Classic. As far as I know these are the
only Aluminum wheel that are available for the GMC. If anyone else has
another make with the same load rating I will stand corrected. Also as
posted in the past newsletters, your old studs should be OK as long as
they are not streached. New tires along with the new rims provided a
great ride as compared with old setup. You can purchase the rims from
several suppliers:

Cinabar 1-800-720-2227(They will insist that you install new studs)
Buskirk's 1-800-715-1133
Gateway 1-800-654-0374
I know that there are other's and other members can post those too.

Most of the pricing will be $1145 to $1195 with shipping and hardware.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 EleganzaII
Michigan

>
> I just bought a set of new tires for my stock 16.5"ers. Now I see the mags
> are very popular. I already have an offer to sell these stockers to my uncle
> with his '73 Painted Desert 230.
>
> 1. Do the mags really make a big difference in handling or performance?
> 2. Are there different types, styles, etc?
> 3. Wheres the best place to purchase them?
> 4. What tires are the best to buy for these 16" rims?
>
> Thanks in advance to a new GMC'er.
>
> Nate Chase
> '75 Glenbrook
> Omaha, NE
 
I just talked to Ivan at Cinnabar (during a visit on Sunday) and he quoted
me a ball park price of $2,600 for Alcoa wheels (installation that includes
new studs and nuts) and new tires.
Richard Waters

>
> Cinabar 1-800-720-2227(They will insist that you install new studs)
> Buskirk's 1-800-715-1133
> Gateway 1-800-654-0374
> I know that there are other's and other members can post those too.
>
> Most of the pricing will be $1145 to $1195 with shipping and hardware.
>
 
Richard,
Are you sure the price was for just wheels? Sounds like tires were included.
The going price is more like $1200 for a set of 6 wheels with hardware. Try
Gateway 1-800-654-0374..
Gary
'77 Kingsley
North Bend, Oregon Coast

> I just talked to Ivan at Cinnabar (during a visit on Sunday) and he quoted
> me a ball park price of $2,600 for Alcoa wheels (installation that includes
> new studs and nuts) and new tires.
> Richard Waters
>

>
> >
> > Cinabar 1-800-720-2227(They will insist that you install new studs)
> > Buskirk's 1-800-715-1133
> > Gateway 1-800-654-0374
> > I know that there are other's and other members can post those too.
> >
> > Most of the pricing will be $1145 to $1195 with shipping and hardware.
> >
 
Richard,
You don't need new studs to put the Alcoa wheel on your coach. Original
lug bolt length provides sufficient threads for 100% strength when using
Alcoa wheels. The pitch diameter for a 9/16 NF thread is 0.526" of
thread. The GMC studs, Alcoa wheel and nut combination allows for 0.532"
of thread, which is more that the pitch diameter of the stud and a
longer stud does not provide more strength, it just has more threads
exposed. Also, the Alcoa wheels are torqued to 140 to 150 ft/lbs
instead of 200+ with the steel wheels. The studs are not as loaded as
with the steel wheels. You can check the stud for stretch by running a
lug nut the full length of the stud. If you can turn it the full length
with your fingers then it is probably ok. GMC wheels are center indexed
meaning that the studs hold the wheel against the hub and not support
the wheel. I have $1640 including tires, but I got a deal on the tires.

J.R. Wright

>
> I just talked to Ivan at Cinnabar (during a visit on Sunday) and he quoted
> me a ball park price of $2,600 for Alcoa wheels (installation that includes
> new studs and nuts) and new tires.
> Richard Waters
>

>
> >
> > Cinabar 1-800-720-2227(They will insist that you install new studs)
> > Buskirk's 1-800-715-1133
> > Gateway 1-800-654-0374
> > I know that there are other's and other members can post those too.
> >
> > Most of the pricing will be $1145 to $1195 with shipping and hardware.
> >
 
The price includes tires. I wrote for "Alcoa wheels (installation that includes
new studs and nuts) and new tires.
Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI

> Richard,
> Are you sure the price was for just wheels? Sounds like tires were included.
> The going price is more like $1200 for a set of 6 wheels with hardware. Try
> Gateway 1-800-654-0374..
> Gary
> '77 Kingsley
> North Bend, Oregon Coast
>

>
> > I just talked to Ivan at Cinnabar (during a visit on Sunday) and he quoted
> > me a ball park price of $2,600 for Alcoa wheels (installation that includes
> > new studs and nuts) and new tires.
> > Richard Waters
> >

> >
> > >
> > > Cinabar 1-800-720-2227(They will insist that you install new studs)
> > > Buskirk's 1-800-715-1133
> > > Gateway 1-800-654-0374
> > > I know that there are other's and other members can post those too.
> > >
> > > Most of the pricing will be $1145 to $1195 with shipping and hardware.
> > >
 
John,
That sure sounds better then $2600. I hope the exhaust manifold job
Cinnabar is doing doing for me now doesn't come from the same price
list! I was going to turn into Buskrik's on Sunday, when Ivan waived at
me from his garden tractor. So I pulled into Cinnabar instead. I hope
that wasn't a costly mistake.
Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
- -----

> Richard,
> You don't need new studs to put the Alcoa wheel on your coach.
 
Not to mention they're going to do a bunch of work replacing all those
studs. They'll need to disassemble all six hubs to press the studs
out(unless they know some trick I don't).

Patrick

>
> The price includes tires. I wrote for "Alcoa wheels
> (installation that includes
> new studs and nuts) and new tires.
> Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
>

>
> > Richard,
> > Are you sure the price was for just wheels? Sounds like
> tires were included.
> > The going price is more like $1200 for a set of 6 wheels
> with hardware. Try
> > Gateway 1-800-654-0374..
> > Gary
> > '77 Kingsley
> > North Bend, Oregon Coast
> >

> >
> > > I just talked to Ivan at Cinnabar (during a visit on
> Sunday) and he quoted
> > > me a ball park price of $2,600 for Alcoa wheels
> (installation that includes
> > > new studs and nuts) and new tires.
> > > Richard Waters
 
Lanier,
I don't know if he can produce. I suspect not at this time. The quote
was just a ball park price he gave me as we were walking around a
coach that they had just finished painting. It looked really nice and
had new Alcoa Wheels on it. That's what prompted my inquiry on
the price of the wheels. He didn't make any commitments on if he
could get them or not.

BTW..I asked him about the recall and he said he heard about it
...only relatively recently... from the internet. It would seem that we
have know about it here for months! He also said that Wes would be
writing an article about the recall in the next issue of GMC Motorhome
News.
Richard Waters '76 PB

> Now that he's quoted, can he produce??? Has Alcoa resumed sale of them to the
> public? I was supposed to get one of the first sets, but haven't heard
> anything.
> Lanier
 
> Can you replace the front lugs without disturbing the
> bearings

Don't think so, but I'd love to hear if someone's worked out a trick to do
it. AFAIK, you have to disassemble down to a bare hub and press the things
out.

> - we just discovered on my bro-in-law's coach that 2 lugs were
> missing on the left front while replacing inner and outer CV
> boots. (Also missing 1bolt in final drive and can't get new
> bolt to bite - appears PO may have lost axle at some time and
> stripped threads in housing).

Don't you just love it! This is why "previous owner" has become my
favorite epithet. Is it any wonder that "previous owner" and "p****d off"
have the same abbreviation?

By "final drive" are you referring to the output flange where the inner CV
bolts up? If so, then that would be fairly easy(especially when I'm doing
the typing and your doing the work) to helicoil with the coach jacked up
and the shaft removed.

Patrick
 
Even at list price of $160 each for Michelin XPS,LT225-75R16 E tires and
$1150 for 6 Alcoas with accessories it only comes to $2155. You do not need
the longer studs unless you just want to spend money. You can get the
Michelins at Sams club for $115 each or $690 for 6, add the Alcoas for total
of $1885.

cinnabar is to expensive for this setup.

>I just talked to Ivan at Cinnabar (during a visit on Sunday) and he quoted
>me a ball park price of $2,600 for Alcoa wheels (installation that includes
>new studs and nuts) and new tires.
>Richard Waters
>

>
>>
>> Cinabar 1-800-720-2227(They will insist that you install new studs)
>> Buskirk's 1-800-715-1133
>> Gateway 1-800-654-0374
>> I know that there are other's and other members can post those too.
>>
>> Most of the pricing will be $1145 to $1195 with shipping and hardware.
>>
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
"The beautiful Mohawk Vally"
 
>I just bought a set of new tires for my stock 16.5"ers. Now I see the
>mags
>are very popular. I already have an offer to sell these stockers to my
>uncle
>with his '73 Painted Desert 230.
>

The following is my opinion only:

>1. Do the mags really make a big difference in handling or
>performance?

The Alcoa aluminum wheels do make a diff in handling, reduce unsprung
weight, are quiter and look nicer.

>2. Are there different types, styles, etc?

There are styles but the Classic PN 160231 are the most popular and
perhaps the better choice.
>3. Wheres the best place to purchase them?

Try Jim Wright Whhels a GMC oner or others, including Alex Sirum GMC
where I got mine but shop around nd make sure that the special nuts and
nut caps are the correct ones. Check carefully for price but be patient
as the wheels are in very short supply for a while.

>4. What tires are the best to buy for these 16" rims?

My choice is the Bridgestone 225 75 R16 all steel E rated tires. You will
get other opinions but any of the ones recommended by GMC owners are
probably good choices.

Good Luck!

David Lee Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
200 Macfarlane Drive PH 4
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
800-827-9989
 
>In a message dated 4/26/99 9:08:48 PM Central Daylight Time,

>
>> I just talked to Ivan at Cinnabar (during a visit on Sunday) and he
>quoted
>> > > me a ball park price of $2,600 for Alcoa wheels (installation
>that
>> includes
>> > > new studs and nuts) and new tires.
>> > > Richard Waters
>> > >
The wheels and tires must be gold. Good for you! For gold the price is
right!

>Now that he's quoted, can he produce??? Has Alcoa resumed sale of them
>to the
>public? I was supposed to get one of the first sets, but haven't heard
>
>anything.
>Lanier

Wheels aren't being recv'd yet by the Recall Campaign Center when I
talked to Paul 4/26. Mine were supposed to be shipped 2 weeks ago.

David Lee Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
200 Macfarlane Drive PH 4
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
800-827-9989
 
Gee it's a good thing I didn't tell him to go ahead with the deal.
I'm going to shop around before I get my new wheels and tires.
Richard

> >In a message dated 4/26/99 9:08:48 PM Central Daylight Time,

> >
> >> I just talked to Ivan at Cinnabar (during a visit on Sunday) and he
> >quoted
> >> > > me a ball park price of $2,600 for Alcoa wheels (installation
> >that
> >> includes
> >> > > new studs and nuts) and new tires.
> >> > > Richard Waters
> >> > >
> The wheels and tires must be gold. Good for you! For gold the price is
> right!
>
> >Now that he's quoted, can he produce??? Has Alcoa resumed sale of them
> >to the
> >public? I was supposed to get one of the first sets, but haven't heard
> >
> >anything.
> >Lanier
>
> Wheels aren't being recv'd yet by the Recall Campaign Center when I
> talked to Paul 4/26. Mine were supposed to be shipped 2 weeks ago.
>
> David Lee Greenberg
> GMC Motorhome Registry
> 200 Macfarlane Drive PH 4
> Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
> 800-827-9989
 
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