I recently purchased this 1948 Chrysler Royal 8 passenger sedan and need to get a set of wheels for it. It is bigger than the typical 5x4.5 and the center hub is 3 7/8”, I am hoping somebody knows for sure what bolt pattern this car would have so I can get wheels. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. Update - I doubled checked and it is 5x5.5 bolt pattern. Does anybody have a recommendation for a place to get a set of affordable steel wheels?
According to this page, Chryslers were 5 x 4.5" from 1937 to 1989: https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Wheel_bolt_pattern It also gives examples of other cars with the same pattern, but doesn't mention the center hole size.
That’s what I thought as well. I’ve got a few others and they are all 5x4.5. I brought a set with me to put on and they are no where close to bolting on. I measured the bolt pattern and 5x5 1/4 is almost exactly what it measures out to. The only guess I have is that the longer wheelbase 8 passenger sedans and limos must’ve had a bigger drum and bolt pattern? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Looking further down that list, it says 8 cylinder Chryslers from 1946-1955 were 5 x 5.5. Could that be what the car has? It doesn't show anything at 5 x 5.25.
It also takes bigger lug bolts than the standard 1/2 x 20 thread. I took some up to test and they were a no go as well. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Imperials a few years later than that used Ford truck wheel bolt pattern, 5 on 5.5" see if that works or get a bolt pattern gauge, because you probably measured it wrong.
It's a wheel bolt pattern template, gauge, tool, etc. google it. search for it at Summit Racing, Amazon, Speedway Motors, etc.
Yeah, if my eyesight wasn't so keen, I wouldn't have seen the little period all by itself in the title line.
Sorry, it’s fixed now. I’m still new to this app, it’s a little different than anything I’ve used before. I was originally having trouble finding the bolt pattern but the owner of the car and I were measuring differently on the drum causing some confusion, now that that is all cleared up. I just need to find wheels that will clear the hub. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Imperials, 8 passenger sedans, and wagons had the bigger 5 on 5 bolt pattern. How do I know? My '52 DeSoto wagon has them. Bigger brakes, nothing interchanges. I happen to have a of 15" wheels, on from the DeSoto, I'm Kalamazoo. I'd sell them if you're local or can have someone pick them up.
@CryselRod&Custom In my experience, most if not all, of the ‘big’ and/or heavy duty (New Yorkers, Imperials, Suburban/taxi/commercial, Chrysler and Desoto wagons) of the late ‘40s thru early mid ‘50s used the 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern. Not 5”, not 5.25”.....but 5.5” A variety of Ford truck, Jeep/Jeep truck/International and others come to mind that used the 5.5” bolt circle. Any of the wheel vendors on this site should be able to supply new wheels of adequate size and capacity. Ray
Information is correct, that the limousine, 8 passenger, station wagon and Imperial models had the larger 5.5 wheel bolt pattern not the 4.5 typical of smaller models. They had a different, heavy duty suspension, brakes and steering. Some models 49 -52 even had disc brakes. If you get wheels from some other car or truck you may need to drill a hole for the locating pin that helps you lift the wheel into position. No doubt you already know about the left hand thread wheel bolts on the left side of the car.
I don’t really have any plans yet, I was told about this car because I have a 38 Royal and a friend of mine got me in contact with the owner of this one. It was cheap and really solid so I made a deal. I have a hard time passing them up. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Also keep an eye on the center hole, Ford had a smaller opening, I'm a Willy's/Jeep guy, Any Willys/Jeep wheels having the largest opening of the 5x5.5 wheels, Also international scout.. Carry-on
You don't need a gauge, just a tape measure. Measure from the outside of the top (or any) to the middle of the second one clockwise.
I’ll keep an eye out for some, I’ve got tons of wheels laying around so I’ll measure what all I got and see if I can come up with some. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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