Hello... Someone must have had this problem before me.

My '73 Camper Special has 16.5" rims and (8) 5/8 inch lugs. According to my reliable tire shop, the aftermarket offers no rims that would allow me to move to a 16, 17 Or 18" size, because of the extra-large studs.

Realize that I don't want to change tire size for Bling-Bling purposes! In fact, I want either wagon wheels or OEM hubcaps.

The reason is a set of 16.5" tires are nearly $1K, come in limited sizes with a tread pattern that looks like a child's drawing of a tire. 16, 17 or 18" would open up a world of cheaper, better tires.

So what is the fix here?

You can get wheels for it. My CrewCab has Big lugs. I was worried about getting wheels & went to a rim shop, they assured me that I could fit anything from a 15" to a 26" wheel on my truck with no problems

Not that 98 3/4 ton wheels are a little odd looking on the 70s trucks. If i remeber they fit....i think i had run of the mill american racing ones on my 76 PW as well.

You can get wheels for it. The shop you go to obviously has a bunch of idiots. Hp383 used Trailer wheels because he liked the design and they were aluminum

These are made by HiSpec Wheel and Tire. They are sold as a trailer wheel, but work just fine as a truck wheel.

http://www.hispecwheel.com/categories-list.php?category_id=142

The ones in the picture are 16" and they are made to use the 5/8" stud/nuts. As for price, they are much more affordable than most of the other wheels you will find.

Also they have a higher weight rating than a standard vehicle wheel. The one drawback is they are not offered in wide widths. So you cant go much wider than a 245mm tire.

There are other wheels out there, but you have to be sure to specify the 5/8" stud. They use a different taper angle than the 1/2" and 9/16" so keep that in mind when ordering the wheels.

Thanks for the replies... The tire shop I went to wasn't a chain run by a 19 y/o kid, rather a little place that's been around since musclecar days. I guess I'll start hunting online and also try a few places run by 19 y/o kids!

Has anyone ever had a machine shop open up the holes in a steel rim to 5/8ths? I'm wondering if that would change the bolt pattern? Shouldn't if it was done with precision. Would also have to restore taper for lug nuts...

What I see available in aluminum is a little too blingy for my tastes. Would prefer a simple white wagon wheel. Called and stopped into many shops, none of the catalogs show the stud hole size.

Did you look at the link I posted.

They have some pretty "normal" wheels. Some simple modular (aluminum with round holes).

I doubt you will find anyone to open the holes up, too much liability. And I dont think there will be enough metal to add the correct taper to the hole.

you can replace all your wheel studs with 9/16 studs cost a little but then you can get any wheels