I purchased a very rusty completely 79 Macho that I intend on fixing / upgrading to original stock appearance, but upgraded mechanicals, for use as an everyday truck.

I have the original yellow wagon wheels but they, too, are very rusty. I would like to use new U.S. Steel wheels, but wondering two things: (1) what is the original yellow paint code, and (2) any thoughts on painting? I have no paint experience, but thought I should have them stripped (sandblasted) to get a thorough and complete job.

Any help would be appreciated!

Here is what I am starting with, except for the 16' wheels taken from my Ramcharger to get it home.

I would sand blast the original wheels. I would use a primer that fill the pits left over from sandblasting (media blast with a soda base material sandblasting). Bodyshop Supply Retail Stores carry the filler primer in rattle can spray. Also there is a primer that can be rattle can sprayed that is a no sanding step type (metal etching). I would use the filler primer for the pits. The Yellow code paint can also be mixed into a rattle can spray (about $16 a can). You will need about one color coded can per wheel. Same with primer. Make sure before all the paint work is done, that the inner tire mounting surfaces are clean and devoid of rust. You will need to paint them too. I would just use a Black rattle can for the inner rim surfaces. The back of the wheel could be painted black also to save money on the coded paint. It is not necessary to make the inner wheel look glossy like the out side. There are two yellows color in codes for '79 trucks: Chrome Yellow AY69TL2---Ditzler code 81280 and Sable Sunfire Poly AY69TL2---Ditzler code 24330...... I would suspect the first color was used on the Yellow wheels. I Believe the was a black stripe abound the outer bead of the rim also. I could be wrong on that. I will try to find a photo later on that pinstripping. Hope that helps.

Correct about the black strip, mine are still wearing the original yellow paint and have the black strip on them.

Classicironman

I found a '79 Factory brochure with two Red Machos at different angles and the wheels appear to be Dodge Chrome Yellow AY69TL2 in the brochure. There is no Black pin stripping on the wheel. I do have a '78 Macho Brochure and the wheels are all black with a yellow pin stripe.

I do have the original rims, all of them have a single black stripe. I will get a pic posted tomorrow.

IMO you should buy the decal kit for it (phoenix graphics), and have them blasted and powder coated in the yellow/orange color and have the black stripe re-painted back on....

When you start cleaning the wheels up there is a date code on the inner area where the tire starts to mount on the out side bead. It will tell you the date (ie: 7 78, 6 79) when the wheel was produced. Your rims maybe a late (early production 80 Macho model w/the pin stripe) wheel. Make sure you get them spun up to 50MPH on a balancer (w/out tires) to see if there is any run out. If there is (.250-.500) run out, get the wheels trued back to or below .250 run out.