The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Wheels fit 56 Cameo?

Hi everybody - I'm new - been watchin' a while but just bought the 56 Cameo and it needs new tires so I need some advice. Still sporting old, cracked, but lots of tread left Sears 670X15 Allstate WSW bias plies -- that ride like ice cubes. Coker and American Classics in 3" WSW (P235s) all take 15X6+ wheels vs the old 15X5s on the truck. Will going to a wider wheel cause any problems anybody knows of? How wide (staying at 15") can you go before you're hosed? Cameo is original, 235,standard w/OD, no changes. Thanks - and I'm glad to be here ---- Dale ___ PS this is probably an age old question so if there is a previous post you can direct me to - I'll sure go there.

Dale, welcome to the Stovebolt site. As for the wheel concern, I ran modern metric radials on my 59 with the stock rims with no problem other than having to use a tube in one due to a very minor leak without it. Don't believe you will have any problems using the wheels you have unless you intentionally want to go with a wider one. Hold on and you're sure to get other opinions on your inquiry. Will add that you will be nagged to post pics of your truck so let me be the first. You may also want to post pics and your story in the Gallery. For future reference the forums do have a good search feature you may want to check out. Most times you will find an answer to your questions in a previous post then again sometimes you won't. Again, WELCOME ABOARD.

yes dale, welcome to the garage - as Bruce says, the radials will work fine on your original rims, although if they are original, they should be 5.5" rather than 5, I don't think 6" showed up in the 15's until many years later, but any GM truck rims would work except for not having the hubcap clips after 1960

Bill

You can probably go to a 7" wheel without any problems. I have seen 8" wheels on them. The key is the back space which should not exceed 3 1/2" or the tire will hit the drag link. Another issue to remember is that a larger/wider tire will make the truck much harder to steer for parking. I use 225/75/15 on 6" wheels on my 56. I also have power steering.
Fred

Hi Bruce, Fred and Bill, and many thanks for the welcome! That friendliness is what really attracted me to this site, and I am really looking forward to the sharing. The wheels were a mystery to me, but you all have helped a lot . My real interest in going wider is to get the wider WSW for "the look". Standard size like the 670 gets you 2 1/8" - to get to 3" you have to go to wider rims, but Fred you gave me some food for thought. Its hard enough to turn now for parking, why make it harder just for looks? Power steering ---hmmm, can I? Anyway, you all answered my question - I can if I want to - now up to me. Bruce, I am looking at Gallery and will get story and pics up as soon as I can figure it out. Thanks again guys, you're great! Dale