The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop "15's Or 16's"

My 51' 1/2 ton has 15" wheels on it. The rims are period, but if I read my Chevrolet manual correctly, I think the truck came with 16" wheels, larger trucks had 17", there was one model shown that came with 15", but it was not a pickup. Before I purchase new tires, I want to have the right size rims, 16's? Thanks!

16's would be correct for your 1/2 ton, the 15' option you saw was for 3/4 ton. Personally, if the 15's look right and if you are not worried about 100% originality, I'd stay with them. There is a larger variety of tires in 15".

You are correct.

Your truck should have been equipped with 16" rims. However, IINM, the 15" was an option that could be ordered.

15" (6 lug) wheels and tires were an option (not common, though) on 1/2 ton trucks in 1951.

The 15" wheels commonly used on 3/4 ton trucks were different wheels. Maybe someone else can confirm if 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton wheels had a different number of wheel lugs.

Here is the 1951 1/2 ton standard equipment and optional equipment listing. http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyresto/51057.htm

And for 3/4 ton http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyresto/51065.htm

Front & rear studs are here.
http://chevy.tocmp.com/1929_54chevyparts/05/369.HTM

The 3/4 ton '47 on up have 8 lug wheels. I have seen the 8 lug 15" wheels, they are some what odd looking due to being such a small size, especially copared to a modern 3/4 ton.
Those 15" rims will not fit on a disk brake 3/4 ton truck, they hit the calipers. I've seen guys grind the calipers off to make them fit, but this is not a safe procedure as it weakens the casting.

Those 15 inchers are quite rare, since they were an option back then. It is interesting to note that GM only considered the truck capable of carrying the maximum GVW when it was equiped with the 15 inch rims.

Wow! You all are great! I can see that my gvw of 4800, should have had 16" rims. I do think it looks better with the 15's, but I wonder since I will be driving with the stock rear & 3 spd. for a while, would I be better off with the 16", more accurate with the speedometer? or just leave well enough alone? If I go with the 16" rims, would 235x85 16's be too large? I think the width would be o.k.? Thanks Again!!!

3/4 tons had 15" wheels dating back through the forties -- probably earlier -- and 1946 was the earliest year for the 8 lug set up.