What is This Tab on Original 620 Wheel For ??

[difrangia]

I'm blasting and re-furbing the wheels for our 620 'Longbed' for a new set of shooz. All the original wheels have this small tab that is pretty much baffling me. What is the purpose of this little appendage  just to the left of the hub-cap retaining boss in this photo ??

[pidge]

Always wondered that myself. I’ve got them on my 521 wheels as well.
-Pidge 

[datzenmike]

I thought it might have something to do with the trim rings but they were an option on the King Cab.

 

Where is it in relation to the valve stem???

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Yes, it could correspond with a notch in a trim ring, to keep it located over the valve stem properly.

[MikeRL411]

Antirotation tab to prevent wheel cover rotation, your valve stem will appreciate it.

[thisismatt]

12 minutes ago, MikeRL411 said:

Antirotation tab to prevent wheel cover rotation, your valve stem will appreciate it.

Maybe for a beauty ring, but the caps aren't that big.

[datzenmike]

Beauty rings were a recent option. Wouldn't be on the 521 or 620 before '76 unless later rims were swapped on.

[difrangia]

2 hours ago, MikeRL411 said:

Antirotation tab to prevent wheel cover rotation, your valve stem will appreciate it.

 

Bingo !! MikeRL411. Anti-rotation has got to be it. The tabs are all bent just like the pic I posted and directly opposite the valve stem on all five wheels. These are the wheels original to this 78 'Longbed' and I'm the second owner. Original owner was a good friend of my dad's and I remember when he bought this pickup from the local Datsun dealer. I'm flatening the tabs to the rims and painting the whole mess. They could be pried back out if anyone ever wanted to do totally original with trim rings.

Edited July 14, 2023 by difrangia