The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk wheels for a 66 GMC 8 lug truck

Would someone please tell me if wheels from a 2001 GMC 2500HD will fit a 1966 GMC 3/4 ton truck (both 8 lug of course)? I am looking to put steel wheels (not aluminum)on my old truck. I tried one on the back and it seemed as if I actually had an extra 1/2 inch between the rim edge and the rear leaf spring(when I measured) of back space by using the newer wheel on it. Does anyone know the actual backspace of the newer wheel and the load rating? I came up with 5 inches of back space from the old 6 inch split rim. I wish the center caps would fit on the back (they hit on the axle and therefor don't reach the wheel). Does anyone have any solutions to this? Thanks for your help!

How did you measure on the old rim? It should have come up at about 3 1/2". I beleive the newer trucks run at 4 1/2-5", which will cause rubbing in the front. Wheels from up to an '87 should fit fine, however.

The tire has been removed from the old wheel so it made it easier. I put the front of the wheel on the garage floor and layed a straight 2 by 4 on the back side of the wheel and measured from where the wheel hits the brake drum to the bottom side of the 2 by 4 and came up with 5 inches. I think I did everything right. Does anyone else have any other ideas? The new rim is currently mounted on the front and it doesn't seem to hit anything and especially the tie rod end. I turned the steering wheel all the way to the left and right and it seemed fine. I didn't measure the backspace of the new wheel because it is a little harder with the tire on (I didn't have the right size scrap piece of wood to just lay on the back side of the rim without hitting the tire). Did I measure right or do I have a unique wheel. Everything appears stock. I have the original GMC hub caps for it to. I also have an old rusty 66 GMC and everything looks identical between the two. The reason I am asking is because if someone already is using newer 2000 era wheels on their 3/4 ton I would like to buy some used steel wheels for mine. I would like to know if they truly do work or not. Please tell me.

Sounds like you measured right. I plan on using trailer rims on my 3/4 T 4t6. Another Bolter, Shellogy, has a lot of info in this thread.
Maybe this will help. Have fun and good luck
Dan

I am wondering if the 60-66 era trucks are that much different than the earlier era trucks in regards to back spacing. I have been searching the internet for wheel interchange or fitment with no luck.

I am currently running 07 steel 2500 wheels on my 65 c/20 and they work great. I tried a little idea on the center caps and covers that may sound silly but works. I put on rear wheel and stock lug nuts then rapped masking tape several times around stud and screwed the metric nut on over it finger tight. This let me put the center cap on without hitting the hub. Tighten the plastic nut snug not much more than that.This let the cap fit and only made a small gap between the wheel and cap. Front wheels took a little more work. I took plastic nuts out of cap and put them in from the back with good epoxy. Layed cap on wheel in proper spot and drilled two holes in cap opposite each other. Drilled two holes in same spot on wheel and tapped for 1/4 bolt. Make sure you don't use to long of a bolt and washer. All that shows is the bolt. If you don't look to close you don't see it.

I'm running stock 16" steel from a mid 80's K2500 on my '46. Only thing I need to do is mount clips for the hubcaps on the inner rim/hub. No problems with tie rods/fenders.