I made a discovery this week that I did want to pass along to the group.

The new US Postal trucks are running a 15X6 rim that looks very similar to the stock wheels on our machines. I went by the Post Office the other day with a template of the lugs, center cap, and outer ring from my 1800. The lug pattern is exactly the same, and the outer ring fits perfectly. The center cap will not stay on because the wheel is not built up enough, but I have a few ideas and would like some from the group.

This looks like a much less expensive way to get stock looking wheels that are 6" wide.... I would also like to find out who the manufacturer is to determine if sales to the public would be possible. They might also make a wheel with the raised center section for a center cap.....

I will try to take a picture in the next day or two and put it out there for everyone to see. ( I will post on the 1800 board when I get the pictures )

Always looking for an improvement...

Oliver
1966 P1800S

Oliver, are you quite certain that these wheels match the Volvo 5x4.5 inch bolt pattern?

I had heard that the newer series postal vehicles (LLVs) were based on Chevrolet S10 truck chassis. As such, I would expect them to be something like 5x4.75 inch pattern.

Please let us know what you find.

Al,

Yes. I have a template of the bolt pattern so that when I see a wheel I can test it out. The postal wheel is the exact same bolt pattern...Studs fit in the template perfectly. Maybe the Post Office modified the wheel slightly so that S10 wheels won't work. (You know how the government is) I also put an outer ring on the wheel and it fits perfectly.

The wheels are silver in color and the cut outs are slightly more tear shaped than the ovals in Volvo wheels. Except for the center cap, they are a perfect fit. Even the off set looks about right....

I will try to get the picture on the board before the weekend so you can make sure we are talking about the same wheel....

Oliver

I think I've found my error. I thought you were referring to the vehicle I'm familiar with; in fact you're talking about a truck I've not seen yet.

The wheels you mean are on Utilimaster - built FFV postal trucks, which sit on 2WD Ford Explorer chassis. Perhaps Fomoco can supply these wheels. I've seen similar wheels on Ranger pickups and Aerostar vans, but have no idea what bolt pattern or offset they are.

There's a picture, but not a good one, at http://www.utilimaster.com/news/to_build_ffv.htm

Sorry to add any confusion. This is an attractive wheel and I hope it works out. Nice catch!

Al, Yes that is the postal truck I was reffering to. Thanks for the additional information. You can even see the wheels in the picture on the link. I will try to get a better picture of the wheel today on the board.

I went by the post office last night and took some more measurements.

*Center hole is just over 2.75". The front hub on a Volvo is just under 2.75".

*The off-set measured from the lug plate to the outer edge is between 2.75' and 3". This would mean the interior off-set is between 3' and 3.25". Not bad.

*I also rechecked the tire size 215-70-15. This is a 15X6 wheel.

If Fomoco is producing, maybe we can get a part number to buy from your local Ford dealer.... I will follow up with the Post Office and Ford dealer to see if this is an available part. I would like to try and get a few of these wheels in the next week or so for a trial fit and test run.....

Oliver

More important than the stud pattern, is the center hole the same as your current wheels. If it is too small it wont fit. If it is too big you dont get any support for your studs and will eventually shear them off!

Man, that's great! I'm still stuck on the first line -- what's more important than the stud or bolt pattern? (nothing: that's what)

None of the original wheels that Volvo used rely on the center hole to provide or augment the strength of the mount. Some of the later models, like the 240, are hubcentric - but this still doesn't provide any mounting strength, reinforcement, etc.

If the center is small enough to fit inside the opening in the wheel, good enough. If there's some problem with some other element (offset, etc), that's a different issue.

Best,

Cameron
36 Volvos and counting
Rose City

what is the actual bolt spacing on a 122 wheel? 4.5"? 4.25"? 4.75"?
Also, what is the standard offset, in order to compare to other possible wheel choices

The bolt pattern for the 122 is 5 on 4 1/2". You can use wheels with backspacing up to 3 1/4" without rubbing front or rear. 3 1/2" _supposedly_ works on the front but results in the tires rubbing against the upper spring perch in the rear (unless you have a wagon).

The widest I've seen is 7 inch with the 3 1/4" backspacing. I've heard of 8 inch rims used on 122s but haven't seen it myself.

We've tried Ford OE alloys taken from a Ranger (not sure what year), wheels from a 70s Torino and a few sets of aftermarket alloys (that were marketed as 'for Ford' ranging in sizes from 14x6 up to 15x7.

Tire and wheel shops seem to shrug when they hear the word 'Volvo' but if you're willing to experiment a little you shouldn't have too much trouble finding something that fits well and suits your taste.

Thanks

Cameron
Rose City

Good point. I will check that this evening and have the answer in the morning.