Changing to Budd wheels?

[Lin]

I may have found a buyer (or trader rather) for my 67 Superior.  One question he asked was whether the Dayton wheels could be changed to Budd.  I did not know.  Does anyone know how difficult or costly that would be?

[superpickle]

Not if they are Bud Lite wheels 

[luvrbus]

Lin, are you talking about changing from spoke to bud when you say Dayton

[Lin]

Maybe they are called spoke wheels also.  They have about 5 very large "spokes" which the wheel is clamped to by tightening down on a retaining "L" shaped piece of steel.  I think that they are also called California wheels, but maybe I have that backwards.

[kyle4501]

I would think that it is a matter of finding hubs & brake drums that will work with the axle.
-OR-
Just replace the axles . . . .

[luvrbus]

Lin, do you know what chassis the Superior has because that is going to determine the cost of the hubs and drums

[TomC]

You have to change the hubs out.  A bit of money, but not exorbitant.  There is nothing wrong with Dayton spoke wheels, if you have a good wheel man that knows how to mount them straight.  The main reason they are used is that a truck driver can change the wheel himself without air tools-since the mounting nuts (only 5 or 6) never get bottomed out like a Budd or Hub mounted wheel.  Good Luck, TomC

[NJT 5573]

Changing the hubs out will be difficult. The drums are different. If you have bus brake shoes you need some pretty rare stuff. A replacement axel set up complete would work but you can't use 7 inch truck brakes so your replacement stuff will probably need to come from the bus world. Maybe some hub caps! Scrap is almost $300 a ton, why don't you sell it.

[Bob Gil]

I am not sure about buses but i am in the process of changing the brakes only from the wedge type to the S cam style and it is expensive.  I was able to find used parts to replace a lot, cut core charges and it is still going to cost about $250 a hub and I am not changing the wheels.  My truck had bud wheels just the none working wedge (stop master) brakes.

[gus]

Tell your buyer he will have a very rare and fine looking bus if he keeps those Daytons.

Another advantage to them is that the lug nuts take only about half the torque as disc wheels. And, as Tom says, the lug nuts almost never lock up on the bolts.

He can get new rims for the Daytons that take tubeless tires.

These wheels are great but they are a bear when working on the hubs because the hub and spokes are so heavy. Otherwise they are great.

[Lin]

I will sing the praises of Dayton wheels if he asks again.  We have made a deal and he is supposed to come tomorrow to complete it.  Hopefully, he does not find a reason to change his mind.

[TomC]

Also- you can get the Dayton spokes polished and then chromed-really looks great and few have them!  Get the rims changed to tubless type.  Dayton type wheels are still in use-mostly on the east coast, Canada and Alaska.  Good Luck, TomC

[Lin]

The bus just left.  It really felt strange.  I've never seen it on the road since I was always in it.  I guess I have to admit that I really didn't "sell" but rather traded it for equipment that I wanted.  Seems that it should work out well for both of us.  It is nice to be down to one bus, although I know that some on this board would disagree. 

[kyle4501]

The bus just left.  It really felt strange.  I've never seen it on the road since I was always in it.  I guess I have to admit that I really didn't "sell" but rather traded it for equipment that I wanted.  Seems that it should work out well for both of us.  It is nice to be down to one bus, although I know that some on this board would disagree. 

Now you get to start looking for the next one 

You need to have 'em in pairs 'ya know!