VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 16"wheel

Were the 16 " wheels the same for the trucks as for the cars in 48

Yes, the wheel was used on 1940-48 cars and 1/2 ton trucks.Also on 1950-51 trucks.In 1952 the wheel was incresed to 4 1/2" width (was 4 ") and this wheel was substituted for parts replacement after that time.

Interesting,will the same tire fit on both the 4" & 4 12" wheel i.e 16x6?? thanks chef-

Yes, both used 6.00X16 as standard equipment.The reason they went to the wider rim listed in the 1952 truck info. was for improved tire bead support.Would be a good rim to use with 16" radial tires.Was used on LATE 1951 1/2 ton trucks,1952-54 1/2 tons.Looks the same as the 4" rim.

What is unique about the 1949 truck wheel?

I believe the 4 1/2" rim was also available on the 47 and up trucks when ordered with the optional 6.50-16 rear tires. On another note, I've got 2 styles of 4 slot 16" rims. On one style, the base of the rim where the tube sits is square, like a U shape, the other one has one leg of the U angled towards the back of the rim. Kind of hard to explain. Does anyone know when Chevy made that change.

Bob

There is nothing shown in the truck data books or parts books (prior to 1951) that lists a 4 1/2" wheel.The 4' wheel was used for 6.00 and 6.50 size tires.The optional wheel was a wide 15" truck type wheel.In 1948 and 1949 the truck could also be ordered with a passenger car 15" wheelWas the same 6 hole wheel used for the 1948 car option.
I can't explain the other question other than there was probably more than one wheel supplier.

Bob -

I have been through several Advance Design trucks, and have encountered the wheels you are talking about, with one side kind of "sloped."

I have also seen the slightly narrower wheel with 6 slightly smaller clips for the hubcaps, and the later wheels with only 3 hubcap clips, slightly wider clips. In this case, the wheels still show the original factory number, and are known to be the original wheels on a '53 truck with the 600-16 tires.

Barry, I believe ChevGene meant to say the 4" rim was used right on through '51 on the trucks, but only 40 - '48 on the cars.

The 6.50-16 tire was usually on a 3/4 Ton, most 1/2 Tons used the 600.

The 4 1/2" wheel was a mid-season change for 1951....as per info on page 54 of 1952 Engineering Manual.The 6.50 was an option for 1/2 tons (and cars) ,,,The 3/4 ton truck used 15" truck wheels with lock rings.The standard tire size was a 7.00 with 7.00 X 17 and 7.50 X 17 optional.Was the 8 lug wheel.
The tires used on 1/2 ton trucks were regulard 6.00 passenger car tires but 6 ply.
The reduction to 3 hub cap clips was made on cars also in 1953....cheap-cheap.
The 4" wheel was discontinued for parts service and only the 4 1/2" wheel was available after 1952 and covered 1939-48 cars and 1939-54 trucks for replacement.

Today I looked at a 4 1/2" wheel that I have.It has a tire mounted on it and I keep it as a spare-spare for my '39.Its a new replacement wheel and from the outside I can see that the outter side of the drop center is straight and the inner is at an angle.

As is the one I just received,chef-