The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Tire and Wheel Help

Hello all. 1954 GMC 3/4 ton. Finally got it running good and drive-able this week so that's awesome but the lack of power steering is a lot tougher than I thought Basically I can only turn the wheel when moving but it is almost impossible when parked making adjusting in a parking space or a 3 point turn darn near impossible. My question is around wheels and tires. Here is what I have currently...

Front: 8 lug P235/65R16

Rear: 8 lug P235/60R16

So how close are these to the factory size that originally came on this truck? Would a narrower tire improve steering? My rear tires are maybe a 1/2" from touching the rear fender which doesn't look normal to me. I've done a lot of searching but can not find the factory tire and wheel size anywhere and no tire or wheel websites go back that far. I'd like to know that too if anyone has that info. Thanks

From your photo it appears someone has changed the stock wheels for some with a significant positive offset. They stick too far out. This along with wider than stock tires will effect steering. Go back to stock of go to the gym and do some serious curls.🛠

Hey - first, that is a sweet looking rig, I love it.

Not sure if you have this - but I did a little digging and found this spec sheet on 1954 tires. Good luck!

GMC small trucks sometimes had two-piece wheels in 47-55st years that Chevrolet had one piece wheels. I do not know what years - by 1954, they might have been 1 piece wheels.

You need stock rims and skinny tires. It will seem like power steering compared to what your current wheels feel like.

I have a 1950 3/4 ton with 15” split rims and I can’t find anyone to work on them so where can I find an 8 hole 15” wheel? Coker and most new wheel manufacturers only have 16” or larger 8 lug wheels. Any suggestions?

Keeping tire pressure on the high side helps along with a large steering wheel like original.
here are some more links you might like for everything 1954, I love this website:

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/54index.htm

sweet ride

I concur with smaller tires and even bias ply. But personally I would stick with radials. Look here.

I think everyone whos never driven something with bias plys should put it on their bucket list. I think they kinda set da mood if you know what I mean. If you want to drive and old veh of the bias era, then get the full effect.. Fun stuff, especially on tar strips around Western Pa.

Have you looked into Pontiac rims? I believe some of them from the '60s were 15" eight lug.

Thanks. I will do some more digging and see what I can find. I just thought that would be a common problem with the old Chevy and GMC’s with 2-piece rims and someone might have a source for a more modern replacement. I will look through some of the old discussion forums too. Again thanks

The 8 lug Pontiac wheels are a whole different animal. They have a large circompherence (? spell) bolt pattern that uses the drum as part of the wheel.
George

I think these are Pontiac wheels you were talking about. Way different animal.