I acquired a 54 Chevy 3800 stakebed truck. Front wheels were already switched to 19.5", but the rears are still original 18" split rims with hard to find tires. I've been looking around for more 19.5" wheels but have been unsuccessful. My question... 22.5" and 24.5" wheels are easy to come by. Has anyone used 8 lug to 10 lug adapters on an AD truck to use the bigger wheels?
While we wait for the experts to chime-in, I looked at my dealer's handbook. Please excuse my lack of knowledge but a stakebed is a flatbed with removable sides? So what you have is the 3809? According to the book, rear 17" wheels are standard and 18" duals are the option 295 but require the aux. spring option 267. My take is that GM didn't design that model truck for taller sizes. Maybe taller tires would rub holes it the bed bottom?
Also taller tires will require an adapter to make your speedometer read correctly.
Last edited by buoymaker; 12/13/20223:06 PM.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
Looks like you have the optional dually rims and springs. Looks like front and rear are 8 bolts on a 6-1/2" circle (previous picture).
I'm a novice on the big bolts but I see want ads for brake drums like they are hard to get. Before you focus on rims and tires you may want to first look at brakes and your type of rear axle before you work yourself corner.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
It's a solid running and driving truck with good brakes. I'm just nervous about the rear tires. I guess I'll run them until they blow, but I would like a plan going forward. I'd like to run a taller tire too. I can raise the bed to accommodate and I'm not hauling anything heavy. I'm actually thinking about pulling some leaves out to make it ride a little better, but I don't know if it's worth the hassle.
