jimmypthatsme

15x8 SSII wheels wanted

oldsmobiledave

Where are you? Or should we assume you don't mind paying for shipping from Alaska to Key West FL?


What wheels are you calling SS 11?...the 1983-84 HO & 1985-87 442 wheels or the argent silver painted 1970-1977 rims that came in 14" & 15" versions?

jimmypthatsme

In central CA. The SSII's from 68-72 as seen here http://www.cokertire.com/media/catal...-olds-ssii.png

oldsmobiledave

You are out of luck. Specialty wheel was the supplier & when they moved form Portland to CA they stopped production. A buddy & myself bought 2 of the last sets made in 2012. Only ones you will find now are used or you can find a set of 1974 15 x 7" rims with the bolt on center caps & have them widened....however they will still use a trim ring unlike the ones in your link or like the ones Specialty Wheel was making.

jimmypthatsme

bummer, thanks for the reply.

orange442

That pic is of an SSIII with the snap on cap. Are you wanting the bolt on cap SSII or the snap on cap SSIII? Bare metal to paint or chrome? All can be made just takes $$.

jimmypthatsme

Bolt on cap SS2. I have a set of 15x7 but I wanted a 275/60 in the back, I really like the look, but I'll need a wider 15 for it. Just the two for the rear- bare metal or painted -mine are black but will need to be repainted anyways

dc2x4drvr

There are several shops that use the SSII centers and graft them into 15" rims.

pogo69

i have l60 tires on my 15 inch rims and they are fine for driving...275 width should be close to the same

cdrod

Jimmy:
I have a set of 2 with bolt-on caps that I don't need. I purchased them from another member on this site but decided to go with 17" aftermarket rims for my project - I'd just like to get what I paid for them. $190 plus the ride. I don't have any decent trim rings but could probably dig up a couple of center caps for you. I'm in TX so shipping to CA shouldn't be too bad - maybe $30 a rim. Pics below.

Rodney.

Sorry, just realized you're looking for 15x8. My rims are 15x7. Good luck with your search.

oldsmobiledave

Many people have run 275 60 15s on 15 x 7 rims with no issues. personally I think they look a little bulged on a 7" rim & the tires may wear prematurely if you are not careful about setting your tire pressures correctly (based on the actual tire foot print not by a psi rating on the tire or the door jam of the car).


Most tire manufactures want a minimum of a 15 x 7.5" rim for a 275 60 15 tire & an 8" wide rim is ideal.


So then why did GM put 275 60 15 tires on the 1990-91 454 SS trucks on 15 x 7" rims?

MXman112

I ran across these guys in my search. Haven't contacted them, so have no idea if they are still in business or got inventory from Specialty Wheel.
http://www.blueovalranch.com/content..._rallye_wheels

oldsmobiledave

Blue Oval Ranch is in Salem OR. They get all their rims from Specialty Wheel.


The rims shown below on my 1969 442s are Specialty Wheel SS11 rims. 15 x 7s up front & 15 x 8s out back. 235 60 15s up front & 255 60 15s out back.











The rims shown below on my 1970 Cutlass W-31 are Specialty Wheel SS1 rims. 15 x7s up front & 15 x 8s out back. 225 70 15s up front & 275 60 15s out back.


DSCN1298_zpsba61a43f.jpg



DSCN1310_zps288c2175.jpg


The rims shown below on my 1972 W-30 are Specialty Wheel repo 1969 HO rims. This rim went out of production in 2012. 15 x 7s up front & 15 x 8s out back. 225 70 15s up front & 275 60 15s out back.

DSCN6730.jpg


DSCN6725.jpg

Hope these pics help you visualize the different rims that are available.

orange442

You can have the centers taken out of the readily available 14x7 SSII and welded into a new 15x8 rim shell. I have had a few done and it worked our very well.

cdrod

Orange:
Who can do this and what does it cost? I asked around the Houston area a few years ago to see if this could be done and I was told it would be very cost-prohibitive ($$$$). Thanks!

jimmypthatsme

Kind of a side question, is anyone running 15x8 all the way around? Would it work with the 225/70 set up OldsmobileDave has if the backspace was still 4.5" like in the rear? Reason being... I found a set of 15x8's I like buuuut the matching x7's are only offered in 4" backspace. Thanks again for all the info guys.

oldsmobiledave

You can't mount a 225 wide tire of any aspect ratio on an 8" wide rim.

jimmypthatsme

Really? A few tire sites Ive seen since reading this want anything from 6"-8.5" for 225.

jimmypthatsme

Back to the original question though... 15x8's on all 4 possible? Maybe a 235/60? Would an inch wider up front look alright?

oldsmobiledave

Really?


I just checked BFG & for the 225 70 15 that I run they state 6-7.5" wide rim.


For a 225 60 15 you can go as wide as an 8" rim. You realize of course that this tire is 25.6" on a 6.5" rim.... on an 8" rim it will be closer to 25" tall. Basically useless on our cars.

dschelat

I'd be interested as well in a shop that could do this as well. I'd like some 15 x 7 and 15 x 9 or 10's if you have somebody doing that kind of coversion.

Thanks!

dc2x4drvr

Google is your friend. Wheelsmith, Rally America are 2 good oufits that take Olds SSII centers and weld them into larger rims..

orange442

I put in calls to 2 guys that do this and I am waiting for a reply back, will let you guys know.

dschelat

Great. Thanks. Tried Blue Oval Ranch, Specialty Wheels, Wheel Vintiques but no luck at any of them at this time.

dc2x4drvr

Wheelsmith and Rally America both can make them, these are not available out the door, believe I tried when I ran 15x8 SSII's..

MXman112

There are 15X10's in stock @ Summit if it helps.
I bought a pair of the 15X7s a year or so ago when they had them. Only issue is I had to use a small spacer to get the 235/60 15 MT drag radial to clear on my 87 Cutlass.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wvi-58-503405/overview/

orange442

Those wheels at Summit are SSIII snap on cap and are readily available. These guys are wanting SSII style with the larger bolt on cap and they are not readily available in the aftermarket.

MXman112

Don't shoot the messenger, Listed as SS2's