The Chevrolet and GMC original wheel thread

[factorystock]

This thread will compliment the hubcap thread we already have. Post photos of period correct 60-66 truck wheels, both standard and optional, singles or duals, with application and size if known. I doubt we'll get many NOS wheels in this thread, but USED will do, mounted on tires is fine. I'll start with the optional 16" 6 lug bump wheel. Introduced between '61-'62 and used up to '70 on 10 series.

[oem4me]

Factorystock, this thread you've started is a much needed thing. Unfortunately, there are relatively few members here that can contribute good info on the available wheel options for our trucks, especially when it comes to the dates of introduction or being phased out. Unlike hubcap application which correlates to specific model year and series, a given wheel might have been used before or after our generation as well.
I would love see a comprehensive break-down of standard and optional wheels, when they were available, and for what intended purpose, but I think only you, 60-66, and a couple others are capable of adding much. Maybe I'm wrong. I really hope I am.

[Mike1965]

I have a full set (including spare) of the standard 17.5" x 5.25" 8 lug clip style wheels for the 3/4 ton trucks. I don't know much about the year they were introduced or how long they were used.

[1966 K10]

I got these back in the day as cheap 8 inch rims for a 4x4. Not sure on the exact dates available but was told by the old man at the yard they were found on 55-67 trucks mainly camper specials on the later years.

16.5x8.25

[yote1234]

Interesting, watching

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 1966 K10

years.

16.5x8.25

Thanks for sharing 1966 K10. Yes, the 16.5" wheel was an aftermarket rim introduced in 1963 and was available as a special order option from GM up to 1966. Became a standard option in '67 and '68. Popular with 4x4's and camper pickups during the 60's.

[Mike1965]

I also picked up a set not too long ago of "Widow Makers". These are 16" rim and they are the Firestone wheels and also have original Firestone Bias Ply tires on them.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Mike1965

the standard 17.5" x 5.25" 8 lug clip style wheels for the 3/4 ton trucks. I don't know much

Thanks for sharing Mike1965. Correct, the 17.5" 8 lug solid wheel was the standard wheel for C 20 and C 30 series pickups from 1960 thru 1968.

[60-66]

Did someone say " NOS RIMS" ? More to come.

[60-66]

Heres a brief description of 1960-1966 15 inch wheels.

Starting with 1960 and two different styles of rims for that year. One is a Kelsey Hayes , the other is an NT wheel for Norris Technology's. Both have no bead lock , Both have different center hub profile. Bead lock 15 inch rims started around 1964-1965. 5/8 valve stem hole and 3 hubcap clips and the size is 15x5 . They also have 4 nubs around the OUTER edge for full wheel covers.















1961 , the introduction of the 3 nub 15x5 , I only have this one style NT wheel to show off my brothers 61 shorty. It is dated 1961 but for some reason still has the 4 outer rim nubs for full wheel covers. Possibly an early design. I have seen dated 1961 wheels without the 4 nubs. Not to be confused with the 3 nubs for Dog Dish style hubcaps.










1962-1963-1964 Wheels. Still 15x5 width, 5/8 valve stem hole, 3 nubs ,no bead lock. Kelsey hays style. Notice all of these wheels in this post are dated although Im missing 62.
.








1965 and 1966 wheels. Here starts the bead lock rim AND the 15x5.5 NT and 15x5 1/2 KH markings AND the smaller Valve stem hole of 1/2 inch as compared to the 5/8 hole for 1960-1964 rims .I do believe theres some overlap with 1964 on this style rim.









This last picture , my thumb is pointing to a 1963 NO bead lock edge, on the far left 1966 rim you can see the indentation of the 65-66 bead lock rim.



Theres still more details Id like to add and other versions to add to this group of 15 inch wheels but I just don't have the time at the moment. I have the part numbers to go with these , will add at a later date. 16s will be next. Note on 16 inch and up wheels , they all had the larger 5/8 valve stem hole.

[aerotruk63]

[aerotruk63]

Thank you for creating this thread factorystock.

[60-66]

16 inch wheels. Starting with 1960 is this wheel , 6 lug 16x5 , 5/8 valve stem hole, 3 clips GM stamped Kelsey Hayes. This wheel is GM part number 3715441 . This wheel was in use since 1954 to 1962 but if you look in other books it actually made it into early 63 production under another number 2324150 , Same exact wheel just a GMC part number used also by Chevrolet. In these pictures is a mix of NOS and used 16s all dated from 1957-1967 . The 1967s would be considered "over the counter" replacements but there are no outer differences in those so they are fine for a restoration.






Heres the 1963-1969 wheels in 16x5 , 6 lug 16x5 , 5/8 valve stem hole, 3 Nub, GM stamped , Kelsey Hayes wheels. This one is dated 1966. This wheel is GM part number 2440830 and unlike the 15 inch wheels , they never used a bead lock stamping in the outer edge of the rim at least through 1968 . Another part number 3974200 was used but this number began use in 1970.







Here are the 17.5x5.25 six lug wheels. 6 lug, 6 clip 5/8 valve stem GM and KH stamped ,GM Part number 2394627 . This wheel with this part number and profile was only used from 1960-1968 from what I can find. The big difference from 1959 and earlier 17.5s is a lower profile center hub was used on the early wheels. The red primered one is dated 1966 .

[factorystock]

Excellent in depth info and photos of these factory wheels 60-66. You pulled off another milestone in educating the masses of GM truck history! This is the stuff that is not in coffee table books. IMO, those 6 lug 17.5's are the rarest of the rare wheels out there. It would be very difficult to tell apart a longbed '64-'66 1/2 ton with 17.5's and a '64-'66 3/4 ton with 17.5's ( with hubcaps of course ) without peeking at the emblems ( erase that for GMC ) or crawling under vehicle to look at rear axle.

[60-66]

Thank you Factory stock. Heres an interesting truck. 1964 short stepside 2 wheel drive with the 5 factory 17.5 6 lug wheels and hubcaps. Guy was selling the truck and put rally wheels on it to sell it. Was able to buy the wheels and tires off of it.