I have finally decided to install front discs on my old truck. I've been driving it around and dragracing it for 24 years with the original front drum brakes. At best they were very marginal and were downright scary trying to slow down after the stripe at the strip. I went with the 'Scarebird' adapter kit which allows you to use off the shelf rotors and calipers. Everything fits great but there is one problem. My 54 year old steel rims won't clear the calipers so it's time for new rims.
I feel there are 2 options, one cut my centers out of the old rims and install in some rims that will clear everything. Two, go with some new aftermarket aluminum rims. Help me make up my mind.Dave

How about 1998 - 2002 Crown Vic wheels? They need the centerbore opened up a bit, but can be had new on the 'bay for around $60 each, they're 16x7.

R.

You can also go with a set of the 15 x 7 steel wheels off a mid 80s 5th Ave or the 15 x 6 off the 88-90 Dakota, or nearly any 73 & newer Mopar disc brake wheels. If your running the 50s dog dish hubcaps, they probably won't fit your new steel wheels. You could probably go cheap and slide some wheel spacers between the current wheels and the rotors and probably gain the clearance you need. (If I wasn't suppose to say that, just forget I wrote it. LOL!)
Of course, if your looking to change the image of your truck, this is a great excuse to buy new aftermarket wheels.
Gene

I like the 15x7 cop car wheels with dog dish hubcaps. The vented hub cabs and slotted wheels were designed to aid in cooling the brakes, at least that is my understanding. Plus, I must have 3 sets of them laying around.

I've always like the painted rims and hubcaps. It gives the truck 'stock look'. The new disc brakes increased the front end weight by 25 lbs. New aluminum rims may offset the added weight.

Steelies, the answer is always the same!

If it's based solely on cosmetics, you have to decide. Anything else would be someone else's choice.

Now, if people out there had pics of different rims on that type truck for you to ponder, well that would help.

I just read (elsewhere on Moparts) that the difference between a steel wheel and an aluminum wheel, the same size, was about 5-6 lbs each. That adds up to about 1/2 your added weight.

Of course the type of wheel will make a difference as well, a cop 15 x 7 is a lot heaver then a 5th ave 15 x 7 because the cop wheels are thicker material. I'm sure different aluminum wheels are lighter then others. I suspect a much bigger difference between a light weight aluminum drag race wheel and a cop car wheel exists then the difference between a standard issue 15 x 6 steel wheel and an old aluminum slot. Gene

steelies, this might convince you, my Desoto, not the best pic-

Ford Ranger 15"?

R.