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I have a 55 1st series with original 390 rear end 16" 6 lug. I was told there was a 15" rim 5 lug option. I was thinking of changing to 15", I assume I would need to change the axles. Does anyone know of a source for the axles?

15 inch wheels were not an option in 1954 but they were on the early AD trucks. They were six lug. The wheel also fit 1948 passenger cars as an option.
Also the later trucks (like 1960) came with 15 inch wheels and they also sould fit your present six lugs.

Since the 15" rims were offered in 1954 & also offered for the 1955 2nd series trucks..... I highly doubt that the 15" rims were specifically not offered for the short 55 1st series truck run.

As clearly stated in the original 54 truck sales brochure....

15" rims were in fact an option in '54 & they were only avail. in 6 lug for the trucks.

http://www.1954advance-design.com/Documents/SalesBooklet/index2.html

http://www.1954advance-design.com/Documents/SalesBooklet/slides/Page%2038.html

The 1954 15" wheel was for large 7.00 and 7.50 x 15 truck type tires and used a locking ring.
!955 2nd series and up 1/2 ton trucks also had a passenger car 5" wide rim as an option. None is listed in the parts book for 1954 and 1955 1st . except for the truck type wheel.

Those 2 posts seem to contradict each other Gene.

All 1/2 ton trucks used a 1 piece 6 lug 15" rim.

Only the 3/4 ton trucks used a 15" 8 lug rim with a lock ring.

From 1959 parts book

1946-1955 1/2 ton, tire size 700x15-750x15 wheel size 15x5.50",wheel part number 3704088, side ring 3680918.

The above not to be confused with passenger type 15" wheel part #3689039, 15x5", application 1947-1950 1/2 ton and 1955-1956 1/2 ton for tire size 6.50, 6.00, 6.40. 6.70 and 7.10 X 15
The same wheel is also listed for 1948 passenger cars with optional 15" wheels.

Going to the 1949 salesman data book, tire/wheel options for 1/2 ton truck.
6.70x15 6 ply option #288B
6.50x16 6 ply option #282G
15", 8 ply rated tire, option #280F...which is the wheel for a truck type tire with a lock ring.
The 6.00X16 6 ply passenger type tire/wheel being standard equipment.

The information from the salesman data book from 1949 would not be applicable to the 1954 or 1955 1st series trucks.



The GM resto pack indicates that the 15" rims were a regular production option for the 1954 1/2 ton trucks.




In addition...
The 1955 first series commercial sales brochure indicates that all light duty rims are now tubeless.

The 1954 and 1955 1st design trucks had 6.00X16 6 ply passenger car type tire as standard equipment.
The 15"" wheel option was for the truck type wheel with locking ring and the tires were of the heavy duty truck type. This wheel was an option for 1/2 ton trucks from 1947- 1955 1st design. This heavy duty tire and wheel combination had almost twice the weight carring capacity of the 6.00X16 tire.
They also cold be inflated to 64 pounds for max. load.
Info. from resto.pac. and parts book.

The 1955 truck (2nd design) came with 6.70X15 4 ply tires with 6 ply optional. Also 6.50x16 6 ply wheels/tires were and option and 17.5x5,25 wheels and 7x17.5 tubless tires as another option.