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| | | Forums66 Topics128,087 Posts1,055,985 Members48,430 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 114 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 114 | Looking for some advice concerning wheels for my 1956 Chevy 3100. The truck is not stock. It is running a 67 350 SBC, Saginaw 4 speed, and a 69 12 bolt rear. All four hubs are 6x5.5. The front axle is bone stock. From what I've read thus far, it looks like the maximum backspace for the OE axle in a 3100 is 4.5 inches.
My experience and knowledge in this area is limited. I bought this truck last month. It was outfitted with Toyota 16x7 alloy wheels with 265/70R 16 tires. The tires are far too wide for the truck, and they will rub the drag link and the steering gear at full stop turn of the steering wheel. I was just going to replace them with 225/75R 16's but, now I'm not sure that will eliminate the tires contacting the steering gear.
If anyone has some experience with later Chevy alloy wheels on stock 56 3100 6 lug hubs, I sure would appreciate your thoughts or solutions.
Tom
Ghost Rider Little Egg Harbor, NJ 1942 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup, 1962 235, Offy intake, Fenton headers, Dual Carter YFs, 1984 T5 1956 Chevy 3100 Apache, 67 350SBC, Saginaw 4 speed, 69 12 bolt
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 114 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 114 | BTW, I have checked the backspace on the Toyota rims and it is 4 and 1/2 inches. Frankly, I'm beginning to think my best option is a set of 6x5.5 Rally wheels.
Ghost Rider Little Egg Harbor, NJ 1942 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup, 1962 235, Offy intake, Fenton headers, Dual Carter YFs, 1984 T5 1956 Chevy 3100 Apache, 67 350SBC, Saginaw 4 speed, 69 12 bolt
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | I can't speak for 1/2 ton trucks, but on the 3/4 ton trucks Ford E series wheels work good, They're 16x6 with 4.25 backspace.
Some guys have used Dexstar trailer wheels with good results. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,252 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,252 | You could always have wheels made that fit exactly what you want. If they are the Steelie type, they don't cost that much more than the non-custom versions. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 186 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 186 | Ran some Toyota rims on my 54 3100 for a bit, I used wheel spacers and changed the tie rod ends to the new style ends. Worked out OK. That's another option for you. | | |
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