Spare tire hanger for 16" wheels?

[MidLifer]

I have a 71 C-10 that has the original 8-lug 16" wheels that it was ordered with. When I got it there was no spare tire hanger, and I'm wondering if I can order one from LMC or elsewhere, or if the stock hangers did not work with 16" wheels. Does anyone know?

[Stocker]

Welcome to the greatest truck board on the 'net!

If you have 8-lug wheels, you should have a C20, not a C10... At any rate, yes, the stock 16" wheels will work with the factory under-bed spare carrier.

I have a '72 K20 with a stock tire carrier, and it's holding my last original 16" eight-lug split rim with a 7.50-16 tire that I believe was one of the truck's original tires.

[MidLifer]

Stocker, thanks for the reply. I will look for a hanger on the parts board.

In re: C10 vs. C20, what I have is most definitely a C10. It was ordered originally with heavy springs and 16" wheels. I've attached a few pics, including the build sheet from the glovebox. It is a most unique C10 indeed, and a fun driver.

[Stocker]

Interesting.... I knew that 16" wheels were available on half-ton trucks, but have never before heard of a 10-series with 8-lug wheels. Learn something every day, I guess!

Very nice clean truck! Has it been restored... by you or someone else?

[MidLifer]

It is mostly original. I imported it from Arizona. A 20-footer repaint was done at some point in the past (looks like a Maaco special), and rockers were replaced. The only rust to speak of is driver's side cab corner where there is some bubbling. One-owner truck, was a camper (although not a camper special). Non-# matching 350 (replaced in 1976, have the receipt) but all else original.

Saving up to do the interior and wiring harness (things don't rust in the desert but they sure do dry out!) but in the mean time just having fun driving it. I'm the son of a retired Chevy dealer and have fond boyhood memories of my dad's 1969 C-10, which is what led me to search for a truck of this vintage.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by MidLifer

I have a 71 C-10 that has the original 8-lug 16" wheels that it was ordered with.

Nope, 8 lug 16" one piece wheels never existed in '71. 16" one piece wheels were optional on 1/2 tons only ( 5 lug 2WD or 6 lug 4WD). What you have is a converted 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton . Previous owner beefed up the C 10 suspension to haul a camper.

[Longhorn Man]

factory stock is correct. It can't be stock

[MidLifer]

Have any of you who swear "it can't be stock" looked at the pic of the build sheet I posted? There are 3, count em 3, separate option codes on there for 16" tires. Why 3? I don't know.

So, again, how can it "not be stock" if the codes are on the build sheet?

[MidLifer]

Bump - also 3 option codes for suspension options. So "owner beefed up the suspension" doesn't fly either.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Have any of you who swear "it can't be stock" looked at the pic of the build sheet I posted? There are 3, count em 3, separate option codes on there for 16" tires. Why 3? I don't know.

So, again, how can it "not be stock" if the codes are on the build sheet?

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Bump - also 3 option codes for suspension options. So "owner beefed up the suspension" doesn't fly either.

Yes, it came stock with 16" wheels, but they would be 6-lug (on a 4x4) or 5-lug (on a 2WD). And it came stock with heavy-duty half-ton suspension, but not with eight-lug full-floating axles. Eight lug axles & wheels indicate 3/4 ton (20-series) trucks. A previous owner changed the running gear to 20-series, or 3/4 ton, running gear, no doubt to handle heavy loads more safely. Many trucks have had similar conversions.

[70cst]

Interesting

[special-K]

That's not the build sheet,that's the SPID. The wheel and/or tire options were listed front and rear separately and the spare is the third. It is true that 16" wheels were optional on 10-series trucks. Those trucks all had 6 lug wheels through 1970,2 and 4wd. Beginning in 1971 10-series 2wds used 5-lug wheels. when flotation tires were ordered on a 10-series they would receive 16.5 wheels that were wider. These were also in the 6 or 5 lug design. If it was possible for a 10-series to have 8 lug axles these odd wheels would never been necessary,since the wheel options were to offer greater load capacity to that series by allowing heavier ply tires. The 5 and 6 lug 16" wheels are the only 16" wheels offered w/o split rims.So,your wheels are certainly not original to the truck. 20 and 30 series wheels either came in 16" split rim or 16.5 clincher. I think what was meant by,"beefed up the suspension",is more like,"beefed up the axles".
Many come hear and learn what they were sure of is actually not true. Some come and teach us all a new thing or two,which we are happy for. This site has more to offer than any other source I know,and I've been paying attention to these trucks since day-1. We see a lot of oddities here and get to the bottom of them. I can say,without a doubt,that GM never offered an 8-lug axles on a 10-series. If yours is one,it has to be the only one. Many things are possible. I see the mirrors aren't original,so when it was painted,what else was done? Did you check to see if the VIN on the frame matches the cab?

[MidLifer]

After over a year on this list, and as owner of the aforementioned truck, I thought I'd post an update. Re-reading this thread, can't believe i was so full of p!ss and vinegar. Sorry to those with whom I argued.

To go back to earlier in the thread, yes, the PO put a 3/4 ton driveline in, from a late 70's vintage truck. Love the stance, don't care any more that it isn't historically correct. 14-bolt rear, 4.11. One of my upcoming projects is to buy a set of 3.42 gears and have them installed. Will help with the highway driving.

Also, the frame is original - checked the VIN and it matches the cab. The engine wasn't, but I knew that. The was tired and leaky, and when I pulled it found a cracked piston. I replaced it with a nice rebuilt 4-bolt 350 with a lumpy cam this spring, which came with a set of truck headers. Sold the core on CL and its new owner is turning it into a stroker for his Camaro. Cleaned up the engine bay and had a spray can party in there while the engine was out.

New exhaust from manifold to tailpipe, new Edelbrock carb, new HEI distro.

Replaced the late-70s vintage steering wheel with a year-correct black one (may dye it sandalwood in the future).

Still don't have the spare tire mounted, but have bought 2 carriers (am selling one of them on the parts board) and just need some longer bolts to hold the 245/85/16 spare I got. Been out wrestling with it the past 2 nights.

Wife got me a Retrosound radio for Christmas. Updated the dash with repop bezel/lens and an aftermarket tach kit, repainted the hubcaps, and have new seat foam/cover, floor mat/sound deadener/door sills and new door rubber to go in next. Then it's off to the front end shop for a once-over, and new tires and shocks will follow.

What a great hobby and what a fun driver! Thanks to all the members of this list for your advice and the parts we've bought and sold from each other.

Pics to follow.