47-55.1 1954 Chev 3100 Truck Rims

[Darthintel]

Hello,
I purchased a 1954 Chev 3100 Truck which is all original, but the previous owner placed different wheels / tires on it which are too wide for my liking.
I want to get back to the original rim / tire size with half moon hub caps.
I have performed many searches and this forum and the internet looking for the right rim size, and still not quite sure what will fit and look original.
The truck documentation shows the following specifications:
Tire size and ply rating
6.0-16-6
Rim size
16 x 4-1/2
Offset
9/16
Attachment
7/16-20 bolts, 5-1/2 bolt circle

I have looked at the following sites without a definite alternate
https://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-W...ils=.questions
https://www.wheelvintiques.com/wheels/classic.html
https://www.wheelvintiques.com/wheel...re-finish.html

Below is a picture of the wide tires I took off.
Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

[joedoh]

the gennie series 14/15/16 from wheel vintiques are the right style and can be ordered in 16x4.5, but I see that they are only offered in 5 lug patterns.

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/wheel...re-finish.html

these would be the correct caps for the wheels

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/acces...nie-8-1-8.html

no one I am aware of makes a clip stye wheel that will use a stock hubcap.

the 16x6 smoothie is the closest in appearance (no d vents) and is available in 16x6 with the 6 on 5.5 pattern of your truck.

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/wheel...re-finish.html

these are the correct caps for those wheels.

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/acces...ap-47-112.html

I have used those caps on the wheel vintiques artillery wheels before and they are super high quality.

IMG_5253 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

the artillery also is available in your bolt pattern and 5" wide but only as 15"

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/wheel...re-finish.html


another option is to call the wheel smith, if he doesnt have it he will make it is what I have heard. his caps are expensive though, I called for GMC caps and they were $180 ea. so I dont know what your expectations for price are.

http://thewheelsmith.net/CustomWheel...cessories.html


you could always find a set of stock 16" wheels on ebay or similar and some caps, but most will need refurbished.

good luck

[Darthintel]

Thanks for the quick reply.
From Wheel Vintiques the 16x6 smoothie has a 4" backspacing, which equates to a 1" offset.
The truck documentation indicates 9/16 offset. They should work.

Has Anyone used these an their 1954 Chev 3100?

Thanks!

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Darthintel

Thanks for the quick reply.
From Wheel Vintiques the 16x6 smoothie has a 4" backspacing, which equates to a 1" offset.
The truck documentation indicates 9/16 offset. They should work.

Has Anyone used these an their 1954 Chev 3100?

Thanks!

remember that offset is measured from the center of the wheel, so a 4.5 inch wide wheel with 9/16 (lets call it 1/2 inch for simplicity) will be 5.5 inches wide with beads, center at 2 3/4, 1/2" offset is 3 1/4 backspace.

a 6 inch wide wheel will be 7 inches wide with beads, center at 3.5 inches so again, 1/2" offset.

so the extra 1.5" will be split evenly over the front and back of the wheels, 3/4" each side of center.

should work well, and you will have a lot more tire choices too with the 6 inch wide wheel. with a 4.5" wheel I think even a tall 205 will look pinched.

good luck.

[mick53]

I used to run 16 x 6 on my 53 3100. They filled up the wheel wells nicely but look fairly stock. I have been told you can buy the hubcap clips from some vendors and install them yourself. I would check chevy's of the 40's or Bobs chevy trucks. Good luck.

[whitedog76]

Try here. http://www.akhwheels.com/pages/inventory.php?cat=3
They specialize in early wheels. They’ll probably need some sanding and paint.

[nvrdone]

contact all American auto parts in Vancouver wa. they may have an original set. last time I was there they had 50+ a.d. series trucks

[mr48chev]

In the greater Portland/Vancouver area you shouldn't have a problem finding a set of stock wheels. You just missed the Portland fall swapmeet by a couple of weeks.

You do realize that in most cases you can't just run down to the local tire store and have a set of 600 16 6 ply bias tires pulled off the shelf and installed on your wheels an go. They are a special order item in all but the stores that cater to the old car/truck brigade.
Black walls run from about 136 to 200 each White walls run around 20 a tire more
Most likely where ever you order them from they will come from Coker https://www.cokertire.com/tires.html..._diameter=1777

Old car parts on Powell in Portland will probably have a set of 16 inch wheels but from experience dealing with them they are rather expensive on parts. At least I felt that way when I bought a set of running boards from them a few years ago. I paid their price because was tired of hunting for a presentable set.

[mr48chev]

Just one thought that came to mind. As that truck had those Wide tires on it does it have the stock running gear under it? You wouldn't be the first guy who bought an AD truck thinking it was all stock only to find out that the previous owner had changed hubs and rear axle over.

[Darthintel]

It has the Stock 6 lug axle , and rear end is attached to an enclosed drive line( torque tube )

[mr48chev]

Good enough.. Had someone fussing in some group I am in because the "stock" wheels he bought for a car/truck he just bought wouldn't fit on the hubs. Come to find out, someone had changed the hubs and rear axle along with an engine swap.

[72BlueGMC]

Hi all I was reading through this thread, I am looking at a 54 with missing wheels all around. The front is a 5 lug and the rears are 8 lug. I am still a but confused on bolt pattern or factory wheel size? I see 16x6 mentioned? Could someone possible clear it up for me?

[mr48chev]

It's always best to start a new thread when you have a question rather than dig up a long dead (3 years) thread simply because people will respond to the first post without scrolling down the page to read other posts before they toss out their answer and your question will be missed completely 90% of the time.

That said, as far as wheels go it depends far more on what you want and what you intend to do with the truck than anything else.

First thing on the agenda is why the mix and match axle combo? Have you asked why they have six on the front and 8 on the back? Years ago as in the 60's guys with old trucks would stick a 3/4 ton =8 lug axle under a 1/2 ton truck so they could haul heavier loads. Meaning that the truck most likely has a granny 4 speed in it along with the 8 lug axle. On the other hand if it was a 3/4 ton from the start and they damaged the front axle in some way shape or form and they had a 1/2 ton axle readily available cheap they may have done the swap rather than hunt down and buy another 8 lug axle.

You can buy 15 or 16 inch 6 and 8 lug wheels easily enough if you want to run a combo of the two and not swap axles. If you want a near stock looking wheel. That may all depend on your long term plans for the truck which you need to start a new thread on if you buy it.