The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Wheel/Tire Size QUESTION (6 lug-1957)

Hey fellas,
got yet another question...
I have stock wheels on my 1957 Chevy 3200. The rim is the 6-lug configuration. 205/75 15's currently adorn my baby. I would like to know what is the maximun tire size that I can put on this truck that will not interfere with the front tires turning and hitting the fenders or fender wells.
Also, what is the maximun RIM size that I can put onto this truck without changing the 6-lug configuration.
THANKS FELLOW BOLTERS! - J.R. in VA

As you may know wheel-tire fitment is a function of many variables. Rim width, back spacing, tire aspect ratio. Is the vehicle stock height or lowered or raised.

If you are wanting bigger tires and wider wheels, trial and error or someone else's history will help out.

In the early 70s this is what I had on a stock ride height 56 3100. 8x15 steel wheels, I do not know what the back spacing was; probably 4". Front tires were E60/15 and the rears were L60/15. The fronts did not have any problems; the rears did rub a little in cornering and when loaded, but not to the point where the tires were damaged. You can check a tire calculator to find the diameter and width of the tires, as these sizes are not generally available today. But it may give you an idea of something that will work.

30x9.50x15s fit very well without rubbing, and you can use a 15x8 wheel with 3.5"-4" backspacing (3.5" is correct to OE) without issue. I woudl suggest using wheels speced for an '87 or earlier 4wd 1/2 ton Chevy. If you go with aftermarket wheels, order the caps separatly so that you can get 4 closed caps, otherwise the wheel company will ship 2 closed and 2 open caps.
One thing, the 205/75/15 is a bit undersize for that truck. The correct modern equivalent would be 215/75/15.

I have 235-75x15 tires on both of mine. I just changed the wheels on the 58 to 7" ralleys. The tire rubbed the drag link on a hard left turn but a simple adjustment on the stop fixed it. Other wise it works great.

I have 30x9.50x15s on the rear of my truck. It has 70's era Chevy truck wheels on it, not sure of the dimension, but not big ones. the front has some dinky little 215/70/15s on it, but I will upgrade them to match the rears when money is available. The previous owner had 30x9.50s all the way around and I don't see any evidence of rubbing.

Devin

i have 265 6015s on my 65 with the gm rally wheels i think they are 8 inch ive seen this combo on lots of older trucks and looks great you can even put a hubcap on these wheels! must be 4x4 rallys timbuk

'73-'91 Blazer Rallye Wheel , with Corvette trim ring and '94-'98 center cap. 8" wide with 3 1/2" backspace. Approx 3/4" clearance at tie rod, does ot rub drag link on full left lock. Tire is a 30x9.50x15 Michelin LTX/MS 6 ply rated.

which 94 to 98 center cap are you using with this combo? sounds interesting.....timbuk

It's the 1/2 ton 4x4/light 3/4 ton center that is held on with the plastic nut caps. One issue with them is that they require special lig nuts that have threads on the outside. I got lucky and found them at the same swapmeet that I found the caps at. The nuts are 1/2-20 thread with a 7/8" hex. It did requre slight modification to the wheel to make them work. Namely, increasing the size of the lug nut seat with a 60 degree countersink to match the nut size. If I were to do it over, the caps have 3 bosses on the backside that could be drilled and tapped for a screw, and held on from the backside through the holes for the OE style caps. Nice thin about these caps is that they come with the Bowtie on them, instead of the 4x4 logo, and also are a set of 4 closed caps, instead of 2 closed and 2 open. The caps are pretty easy to find, many venders have them at the swaps, LMC should have them, too. I think Napa might have the lug nuts I used.

i can picture the caps on these rims and im thinkin im gonna try it im gonna get a set ive seen these caps aftermarket with a 3 spinner effect on them for 6 bolt you? i like your idea timbuk