VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 1954 3600 wheels want 16 in.radials 8lug

Want to put 16in. 8 lug wheels on so i can run radial tires.Want to keep stock hub caps. 1954,3600,17-1/2in.wheels,stock.Cant get radials for 17.5 in wheels. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks,Dennis

The standard wheel for that truck was a 15" 5.5" wide.
It was designed for 7.00 and 7.50 tires

One option beside the one you have was a 16" wheel,5.50" wide for 6.50X16 tires.

The problem is both of these wheels had a locking side ring, not a one piece rim.

There may be other later options that will work but I am going by the parts book applications.


The 1960 truck data book shows various tubless tire combinations but all were the odd 17.5 type.

I used 16 X 5 1 ton trailer rims on my '54 3/4 ton. The hubcaps won't fit, but you can buy new clips. My 2009 Chev 1 ton van rims will bolt up on the back, but are too wide for the front. you need a narrow rim to clear the tie rod ends. Best thing i did on the old gal... No more flat tires!
Andy

16" rims were not originally offered on the 8 lug 3/4 ton trucks.


The only GM options were 15" 2 piece split rims,or 17" 3 piece split rims.



Although GM did not offer a 16" rim for the 3/4 ton trucks....there were aftermarket companies that did offer them.

None of the original split rims are compatible with radial tires.



If you want to use radial tires.....
You are looking at modifying the more modern one piece 3/4 ton rims .

You will need to ad clips to these rims so your original hubcaps will attach to them.

More info. on the converting the later one piece 3/4 ton rims here.....

http://talk.classicparts.com/threads/52-gmc-new-rims.11532/



.

From 1959 parts book
Wheel part # 3707064, lock ring # 2059902, application 3/4 ton, 1953-1955.

In GM Heritage Center info. Options for 1954 3/4 ton trucks. Option #282. 6.50X16 6 ply tires

RPO #282 16" wheels were only used on dual rear wheel equipped trucks & they did not use hubcaps.

These rims were somewhat common on the 1 ton trucks but...
I have never even seen a 1954 3/4 ton truck with factory dual rear wheels.... at best they were an obscure option on 3/4 tons.


The original question mentioned nothing about the truck having dual rear wheels so, RPO #282 would not apply to his original question.

From the GM resto pack for the 1954 trucks....

Only 15" & 17" wheels were offered on the standard 3/4 ton trucks.

Thanks for all the help! Everybody... Dennis 1955 1st series 3600,no duals,just want wheels 16in. or? Radial tires,and mount orig hub caps with available clips. Thanks Dennis

Try etrailer.com they talk about the fit on a '54 Chev truck
I found the info on Stovebolt.com
Andy

I had a '49 3600 with split rims, and found tires through my Big O store...they are a national chain, and at the time did split rims...they no longer do split rims, but my friend found that most 18wheel truck stops do split rims.

Big O had to order the tires, but they that odd ball size.

Thanks

Wheels measure18 in. dia. tire says 8-7.5 tubeless,not split rims."55 1st.series 3600 p/u.Thanks Need to know what size wheels will fit for radial tires Thanks,Dennis