The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1953 1 ton 8 lug wheels non-duals

So I'm new to these trucks....what are my options for wheels on my truck? What all fits on these? I've come to the understanding that just about all 8 lugs would fit except superdutys. Am I correct? My ideal wheel would be steel with original or old style hub caps and trim rings. I'm assuming they have to be 16 inches at the least to clear the drums and I would like 7-8 inches wide. I have no interest in running the old split rims, I worked at a tire shop years ago and am scared of them.

The wheels/tires that are on the truck now are 70's vintage American Racing Vectors. They are 16.5x10 with matching tires. It looks impossible to find 16.5 tires anymore, especially something that wide and not 40 inches tall. So I need something different.

You are going to need something with minimal offset... The tie rods will rub anything deeper than about 3 1/2" setback. I have 16 x 6 trailer wheels on my truck and they clear okay. Anything designed for front disc brakes will be a problem.

How on earth could a 16.5x10 wheel clear the tie rod ends without a huge spacer?
I've got 16.5x 9.75 Vectors on the rear of my 3/4, but the fronts are like 16.5x7 and still need a 1/4" spacer to clear.
16.5 x31x10 tires just clear the rear fenders, but they are hard to find.

You won't want 16.5 wheels anyway, nobody makes tires for them anymore.

I use 16" 1991 Chevrolet Suburban wheels. Bolt right on the back but I built my own adjustable steering arm and tie-rod for the front (all Speedway Motors parts). So no spacers or anything, I have 1/4" each side. I liked the look of the wheels and I was able to mount my original 3/4-ton caps. Total cost for 4 was $80 at the local pick & pull. PM me if you want all the details.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2071318780102454676foVBMK

You know, now you got me thinkin, how did they get the vectors on the front of mine? I'll have to check it out in the morning...

Brad

Sweet Truck!! Love it.
Congrats.

Franklin

and........?

Well I poked my head under there and things seem all stock to me, but I'm not familiar with these trucks yet either. The steering arms seem to be pretty much straight, just a very slight curve inward. I noticed the inner edge of the rim is worn/ground down just a bit and looks like a 1/4" wheel spacer in there. I'll measure the wheels when I get one off again. I'm guessing they just have a rediculous back spacing since they sit about flush with the fenders.

American Vectors should have the size actually cast into the backside, although sometimes hard to see thru the grime.

I measured the wheels, they have 4.5" backspacing with 3/8" wheel spacers, no markings on them at all....

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu20/kevin92xj/photo13.jpg

heres a view of a steering arm, has it been bent?

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu20/kevin92xj/photo12.jpg

Heres how they look on the truck.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu20/kevin92xj/photo5.jpg

NICE panel!! I like it. Congrats!
And the wheels look good on it.

The steering rods look about right.

The 1-ton trucks have "sealed" type tie-rod ends as opposed to the "adjustable" type used on 1/2- and 3/4-tons.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm0303.htm
As shown in your picture. Which may relieve some of the clearance problems some of us have had...

Very interesting. Nice panel Pooters. What running gear is in it?
And thank you Frank50 for the tie-rod end enlightenment.

Thanks guys! The pictures make the paint/bodywork look better then it really is, but its still in great shape. She's got a later 235 with dual carbs and clifford header straight from the 70's, 4 speed on the floor and 5.13's in the rear.