My 37 1/2 ton had them on it when I got it but I have seen them more on 38 to 42 3/4 tons so what I would like to know is when were they first available and could they have been available on both 1/2 and 3/4 tons.
That is what I was thinking,someone must have found them with good tires in a junkyard so on they went. I was suprised to find the 37 one ton also had six lugs.
As far as I know the 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks all had 6 lugs (7/16) the 1 ton and bigger had bigger lugs 10 on the rear and 5 on the front especially with dual rear wheels. Tony
A couple years ago I came across someone on a forum with a frame that he was looking to find a new home for and did not know what it was and it looked identical to a 37 and up 3/4 ton frame but had unusual wheels,it was 6 lug and the wheels looked to be about 17 inches and were a split rim so I presumed it was a one ton. I never seen a early one ton up close and I think that frame went under a one ton panel to replace a very butchered frame,I was going to get literature on the 37 one tons but never did.
The early 1 ton trucks, at least '37-'40, had 6 bolt wheels. The only noticeable difference between them and 3/4 ton models is the 14 inch brakes on the rear of the 1 ton. These larger brakes required 17 inch wheels to clear the drums. It was a snap ring type wheel.
All of the 1/2 ton I have seen had 16" sedan type wheels on 6 lugs, the 3/4 ton had 6 lugs but split ring type wheel wich was a heavier construction but I am not sure weather 16" or 17". Tony
GM offered a variety of optional wheels. Half ton and passenger came standard with 8 spoke 16" wheels. Two rim widths that I know of depending on optional tires. 18" wire spoke were optional where high clearance was needed. (They are different than 1932 - 33 wire wheels.) 15" artillery were standard on 3/4 ton and optional on half ton. (See picture) An 8 spoke 17" was standard on 1 ton and only one that can be used on rear 14" brakes. All Ton & half had 20" pierced disc wheels in a variety of widths from 6.00 to 9.00. Special running boards and rear fenders were required with 8.25 and 9.00 X 20. (See second photo.)
