The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun ’51 Tonner dilemma

GMC 22-250 that I’ve had for a bit. It came as a factory cab and chassis or flatbed, dual rear wheels, and cab length running boards. Yesterday I got a parts truck- ‘51 Chevrolet one ton with 9’ box. Bedsides are nice and straight, running boards are useable and the aprons can be fixed. Chassis is sitting on the original type 17” singles. Until now, my plan was to make a Fox / Plowboy style dually with widened fenders..

Now I’m conflicted- I didn’t want to redo the front end to make it fit other wheels, and I already have a 4.10 punkin for the HO Eaton. Off the top of my head I thought the dual style wheels were 18”s - Can anyone tell me if the single size 17” fits right up on the dual style front? The parts truck front is Really Rusty so I don’t think it’ll be a viable donor if not.

I have other thoughts but I tend to ramble so I’m trying to keep this post short and to the point.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Greg

So it sounds as though you're thinking of using the 9' bed with 17"single rear wheels instead of 18" dual rear wheels. Does your GMC have the original front hubs that came on DRW trucks? I don't think the 17" wheels will work with that original hub as the offset will be wrong but maybe you could swap them out for the ones on the parts truck.
Fox's custom bed is an inspiration but I was thinking of slightly different way to go on my '48 1Ton, namely a standard 9' bed widened to cover the DRW. That way you can use the original rear fenders without having to fab up custom wider ones. The truck currently has a military box on the back about 7' wide x 9' long and like the proportions as well as the capacity. Everything fits in there!

Thanks Jim- Yes, still has the dually style fronts. That was what I was wondering- if the single style would fit up.
I also like the idea of widening the bed and then putting wheelwell “tubs” in the bed, leaving the fenders as is. That was the original way I figured to do it.
I’ll have to bust apart the parts truck front and see if they’re salvageable if they don’t interchange.

Supposed to be cooler than 104 tomorrow so perhaps I’ll give that a shot..

I think the 18" wheels are a really great looking wheel and look just right on the 1 Ton. The tires are more expensive than the 17" but are also taller and give you a couple of extra mph on the top end if your motor is up to it. I think the front axles are the same on both your trucks, just using different hubs depending on the wheels. I was thinking that Mar-K manufacturing would be able to make a wider front panel and tailgate for an extra wide box, as well as supply extra strips and pieces of wood for the bed.

A wider bed may not look right at the cab and running boards, or take considerable work to come out looking only ok.

Others have just widened the rear fenders by putting a strip of 'tin' in the flat section.

Ed

Seems like widening the rear fender is probably the way. I don’t see the front hubs working out, and the parts one is probably too far gone to the rust mites.
I’m not a fan of the style of wheel on duallys- would prefer something I can put a hubcap on but oh well.

Sounds like you need front hubs from a 3/4 or 1 ton single wheel truck. If you don’t already have good ones go find some.
Be aware that spindles changed size within 48-53, and bearings changed. I forgot but hubs may have also changed. I’ve posted the details before, info also in the parts book.

Yikes. Guess I just need more research before I start anything. I didn’t think about the 3/4 being the same.
Was getting some new shoes on my wife’s car today so I asked my guy about tires for it. He had a little argument with himself over whether the 17” or 18” would be worse to find/buy. Then he suggested that I consider a different size wheel

19.5” single wheels exist and they’re a great wheel for the 1 ton. I have some for mine when I swap to a pickup bed.
With 8R19.5 tires, easy to get, and 32-33” tall.

Thanks Grigg - Do you know if the 19.5s fit on my “dually style” from hub/brake?
Or is that one that I’d need to switch to the standard type front for– thanks again, Greg

Greg, Do you ever get over to the west side of the state? You are welcome to come take a look at my 48 dually if you are near Lake Stevens.
Ray

Thanks Ray - I don’t often but yes occasionally I get over to the Wet side. I’d love to check it out your truck sometime. Thank you for the offer– Greg

Your front hubs only accept dual type wheels with a deep dish or offset.
If you want to run single type wheels with nearly zero offset you need hubs from a single wheel truck.

19.5” 8 lug wheels come either way, single or dual.

You’ll see the issue if you try the wrong type on your front hubs.

The rear however can use either or. The studs are longer on the dual wheel rear hubs, and still work fine for singles.