The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Ye Olde Wheel and Tyre Query

I know this topic is discussed regularly, but I am in need of some direct advice for a specific application, so here goes...

For a 1957 3100 (Short-step) 6-lug with drum brakes all around, which current (or recent past) make of truck has wheels that will bolt straight up? I recognize that the tire size is critical as the wider ones will hit the end of the suspension, but for all the searching I have done, I have yet to locate a post that can tell me "Just go get a set of wheels from a 78 vega.." or something.

Any suggestions out there?

Thanks in advance,

Jim

any GM truck from 55 into the 70's and 4x4's after that until 6 lug ended, the 55-60 have 3 clips for the hubcaps if you plan on those, the earlier AD wheels have 6 clips, which will work but are narrower wheels

Bill

Hy Fourbrads, the six stud on 5.5" bolt circle has been around for years, even before your truck was made. Things like metrification, and disc brakes have changed the wheels design quite a bit. I'm not sure what "modern" wheels will fit, but any GM made 1/2 ton up to 1970 should fit, Toyota pickup wheels should also fit if I remember correctly, I know I'm being general again, but I hope that helps.

When I was working on my rolling frame, I had the wheels from my 2003 Savana 3/4 ton attached, bolted right up on my '53.

The wheels from my 2000 Nissan Frontier bolted up, same as the full size Toyota wheels from 2000.

Thanks all for the great inputs. This is just what I needed. Now have a list of "models" I can search for.

Very much appreciated,

Jim

You have to watch using any wheel from an Asian truck on an older GM. The wheel bolt pattern is the same, but the offset and backspacing are different, especially on any of them made in the last 10 years or so. This also applies to 6 lug GM wheels made after 1988 (truck) and 1991 (Full size Blazer and Suburban). Best bet for correct fitment will be the '87 or earlier GM 4x4, or '70 and earlier GM 2wd trucks.

um?.... isint it 1969 and earlier chevy trucks?

Actually I think it is 72, but a moot point. If it is the wrong year you won't find the right rims on it anyway.

Perhaps I need to make a few clarifications. On 2 wheel drive GM trucks, they are 6 lug up to '70, with the 6 x 5.5 bolt pattern. '71-'98 1/2 ton 2wd are 5 x 5, '99-'12 are 6 x 5.5. On 4x4 1/2 tons, they are 6 x 5.5 for all years. For fitment to the '70 and older GM trucks, '87 4x4s are the cutoff, as the '88 and up use a deeper backspacing due to the change in suspension geometry.

Thanks again, all.

As is plain by now...lots of issues to consider, so no "silver bullet" for the fitment. Guess I will start looking for pre-72 rims at the junkyards.

Jim

UPDATE: Found a guy about 30 minutes from home selling a set of rims off his old 68 1/2 ton. 6 lug and look to be just perfect (plain steel, nothing fancy for my truck).

Only wanted 50 bucks for the set of four, so, had to say yes of course.

Now, to find some tires for it. Any recommendations for what best runs on 1968 15s?

jim

I just purchased 4 wheels and new tires. For tires I went with Cooper (as they are made in USA) and found this site to be the least cost.

As an example, for Coooper SRM II tires, local shops want about $200 each (+/- $20). I got them delivered to my door for $130 each...

Discount Tires

They arrinved in a few days and I mounted them and took them to have balanced.