The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 57 3600 one-ton, what wheels to use?

1/2 tons in decent shape are scarce and overpriced, so I got this one-ton 3600 with virtually no rust and only very minor damage to the passenger fender for $1,200.

All the glass is cracked, needs some trim and wiring, but it does have a 1969 255 HP 350" V8.

It also has an electrically operated 8' flat dump bed, cool for me as I want to use the truck to carry some of my smaller cars to the body shop.
I will mount a winch to the front of the bed, and angle it for easier loading.

Biggest issue with this truck right now is wiring and the wheels/tires.

I have two dually 17.5" wheels that are not on the truck but came with it.
It is sitting on single wheel type rims.
The rear are OK, the front sit out too far and rub the fender arches.

So I have to figure out what to do for wheels.
I'm thinking of going to fat singles in the rear, but I still have to find some front wheels with a correct off-set.
I will also need a spare that can be used at either end.

What is out there without spending silly money, or having a size that cannot be gotten if needed during a long drive?

And, what is a "3600", exactly?
So far I do not see any of this model shown in this forum.

I will add some pics later.

3600 is a 3/4 ton.

Welcome to the neighborhood. I'm not real knowledgable about rims. If your hauling, be sure to research the load ratings of the tires you're going to use.

I learn something every day Longbox55. I would of guessed 3600 was a 1 ton. Thanks.

3/4 ton with 8 lugs and the wide hubs in front which require the dually type wheels?

I suppose that might explain the short bed?

I think this may put a crimp in some of my plans, but the body is pretty good, so I guess I will continue on with it.

Dual wheels were an option on 3/4 ton. I've seen 3/4 tons with duals all the way up to '72, though it is not very common.
As far as the frontend goes, you can remove the duallie adapter, which is hust bolted on, and run standard wheels. As far as a tire suggestion, that would depend on how wide of a tire you want on the rear. Then you get into load ranges, as many of the lower profile tires do not have the load range for that heavy of a truck. If you want to stay in something reasonable and easy to find, I would suggest a 245/75/16 E load range, very common size, roughly a 30" tall x 9" wide tire. A 265/75/16 E range may also work, not sure about front clearance. Those are roughly 31" tall x 10" wide. You'll need wheels with about 3.5-4" backspace to fit properly, pre-'87 4x4 should work fine. Another option would be to check into the later model Duallie wheels, run themw with the adapters and perhaps a 235/75/16, some also run 17s on the newer ones. I beleive they should clear the rear brakes on a 3600.

Are you sure of that?

I pulled a wheel off, it looks like I would have to change hubs entirely to me.

I've seen 'dually adapters' but the factory setups I've seen have always been a complete hub. The adapters I've seen were all after-market stuff.

That's not to say the factory never used an adapter, just that none I've seen were done that way.

At the moment it looks like I may just have to buy two 8-17.5 tires to fit the only dually rims I have.
They came with the truck, and they do work properly for the front.

I have some old eight spoke 31-10.50X16.5's that seem to be good enough to use in the rear.

The only problem with this is that it leaves me without a spare to fit the front.

$300.00 for tires to fit front rims I will probably not want to keep.
So I'm still looking at other options.

With the Task Force trucks, all of the dual wheel trucks I've seen had an adapter. One in particular was a '58 3800 that I raided for parts, it was a factory duallie with a platform bed. Might have been an on again/off again deal.

As I think about it, I don't think I've ever had a TF dually truck apart, so I can't speak to how they were built.

Richard, I'm pretty sure the factory dual wheels on your truck would have been the fairly common 16 inch type with four hand holds.

It should not be too hard to find a set of those somewhere. I'd search for someone taking them off to replace with custom wheels. You might find a set of six with good tires for nearly nothing just setting in the corner of someone's garage.

So far, all I have found are split-rim type.

Still looking!

Look at newer wheels. You can use wheels from the 70's and 80's and they won't look much different than what were original.

OK, I may have an answer here.

I found a local wrecking yard with some good parts, fair used windshield and back glass, hand-brake lever, etc.

He also has the front half of a '58 3800, 8 lug SINGLE wheel type hubs.
Will these fit my '57 3600 spindle, brake shoes, and backing plates?

He wants $50.00 each, cheaper than having to hunt down a full set of dually rims, if they will work.

I think the 3800 really is a one-ton?
If that's correct I'm surprised to see it with the single wheel hubs.

Also need to know, is the rear small window glass flat, or not?
The wrecker has a couple of them, but they are scratched.
He claims they are not flat, and are unavailable new?

I'm going to USE this truck, so it will never be show quality, just decent.
First thing is to get it operable!

not sure about the wheels, but the shop manual should indicate any differences in brakes and associated bits

he's right, the back small window is crowned and not reproduced, take what you can get

Bill

I just checked with 4 different parts suppliers, all 4 had listings for the small window glass, most even had 3 options, Clear, Green tint, and Smoke tint.
If you're planning to work this truck and drive it regularly, you might consider intalling this style back window. I have one in mine, and am very glad I did it. Especially in the summer.

FIRST thing is to get the front wheels/hubs sorted out.

Then glass.

I've had those rear windows before, didn't like them as the latches seem to fail, they leaked water, etc.
I would also have to cut my cab for installation.

That slider is a direct fit, no cutting required. It's designed to fit using the OE style gasket. I've had mine in for several years, the latch doesn't rattle and fits very tight, and I havent had the first leak. I've even had it in some nasty Illinois thunderstorms with no leakage.

Boys, boys boys!
Thing sits on 235/75/R16's off my old K2500 1989 Chevy. Nothing changed, removed, or dismantled. No rubbing on wells or anything. Junkyard will have a full set of these, even if it takes 4 trucks to get um.

I'm off to the salvage yard in the morning.
Buying the single wheel hubs!

Hurray!

My wheels will now sit INSIDE the fenders!

The drums I got with the hubs are better than my old ones too.

Now I just need to find a source for the #5756 oil seals.
Kragen wants $35.00 each, seems insane to me for a simple seal.

NAPA = NOS20669 $17 ea .... 3600 or 3800

Bill