1960 4x4 Wheel Fitment?

[Blue Ox]

Hello All,

I'm new here... Just recently bought my great uncle's 1960 GMC 4x4. Expect to see a lot of questions from me in the future... and, hopefully as I learn about these bad boys, I'll be able to answer some as well.

For now I'm wondering about new wheel fitment. The short version is that I'm looking to put new wheels on the beast. I'm looking at a set of 16" x 7" rims with a 4" back space. Does anybody have any experience or insight on whether this back space will clear the stock front suspension?

The longer version is this... The truck currently has the old 3-piece split rims (7.5 x 17 tire size). I'm planning to keep the original wheels and restore them, but will need something easily serviceable to drive the truck home. The current tires are a bit dry-rotted and I don't want to drive any great distances on them.

The truck is currently in Montana... I live in Michigan. So... It's a long drive to get the thing home, and I can't exactly run out there with a tape measure and check sizes and clearances.

I'm planning to make a trip out to MT as early as I can in the spring, and would like to have new wheels and tires ordered and waiting for me when I get there... But I would like to be reasonably sure that what I order will actually fit on the truck before I make any purchases.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Blue Ox]

By the way...

It has the 8 x 6.5" bolt pattern. That part's not a problem. But, if anyone knows what the hub diameter is, that would be good to know.

I'm planning to get lug-centric wheels... But I want to make sure the center hole is big enough to clear the hubs.

Also... I know it doesn't look like a '60. The original hood was damaged long ago and was replaced with a later model version

[padresag]

is it a 3/4 or a 1ton?
ron

[63burban]

It will be a long drive to Michigan with 4:56 gears

[Blue Ox]

Ron... I'm not 100% sure (I neglected to write down the VIN while I was out there last month... it was an impulse purchase). I believe it's a 3/4 ton. Next time I talk to my uncle I'll see if he can get the VIN for me.

63Burban... Yeah, it'll be a long drive. But I'm hoping to make an adventure out of it. My bro-in-law and I are going to make a classic road trip out of it. We'll take the back roads and hit up all the dives and diners (but hopefully not too many repair shops) along the way.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by Blue Ox

By the way...

It has the 8 x 6.5" bolt pattern. That part's not a problem. But, if anyone knows what the hub diameter is, that would be good to know.

I'm planning to get lug-centric wheels... But I want to make sure the center hole is big enough to clear the hubs.

Also... I know it doesn't look like a '60. The original hood was damaged long ago and was replaced with a later model version

the newer ones are lug-centric and larger on the hub. same 3/4 - 1 t wheels. I was just curious if it was a 1t as it would be a Napco setup
ron

[Blue Ox]

Hmmm... Now I'm curious myself. It would be cool if it was a NAPCO.

I didn't think NAPCO kits worked with GM trucks after the trucks were redesigned for 1960... But I'm certainly no expert. (Been doing a lot of reading on these trucks recently, though).

There's a ton of information out there (especially on this forum). But I still haven't been able to verify wheel fitment.

I just don't want to get out there, find out what I ordered doesn't fit, and have to wait another week or more for another set of new wheels.

To try another tack... Is anybody willing to share what they have on their own trucks as far as aftermarket wheels go?

[padresag]

starting in 1960 4 x 4 production in 1/2 and 3/4t was a GM production. 1t and up were a Napco application.
ron

[bhc41051]

I drove my 66 K10 from Great Falls to Southern Ohio. Little over 1800 miles. It was below zero and snowing sideways through Montana and most of North Dakota. Was a fun trip, no mechanical problems.

[Blue Ox]

Ron... Interesting. I'm planning to give my uncle a call this weekend. I'm definitely going to get the VIN and ask him if the truck is 1-ton or 3/4.

bhc41051... Yeah, I'm probably not going to be able to make the trip until next spring. But I'm already looking forward to it and researching possible routes.

Anyone else... What do you think...? will a 16" rim with a 4" back space fit, or am I likely to be hitting steering and suspension components with it?

[argonaut]

16"x7" steelies will fit. 4" backspace gives you +0.5" offset. Should work but those early axles are fairly narrow. You could run 0" offset or even slightly negative offset and it would work. What size tires will you run?
You could look for a cheap set of stock late late 70s through 80s chevy steelies. They'd be 16x6.5 and will fit a 235/85r16 nicely to keep that classic narrow look with good load rating.
Would look like the white steelie:

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[Blue Ox]

Argonaut... Thanks! that's the information I was looking for. I'll probably go with my original pick for the wheels and just bring a couple sets of spacers with me when I head out to fetch the truck. (I was looking at some classic white 8-spoke rims like the SenDel S62 or US Wheels 70 series).

I was debating on tire size. I like the stock skinny look. Tire Rack sells Goodyear Wranglers in 215/85/r16 size. But I was also considering the 235's for the better load rating (3042 lbs vs. 2680 for the 215's). Also, a 7" wheel is getting to be a little on the wide side for a 215 tire.

I also like the look of the steelies. That might be a better option than cleaning up the old 3-piece rims that are on it now... It's not like having a numbers matching vehicle adds any real value our trucks. They were made to be workhorses, not collector items. And in the present day each owner likes to give his (or her) truck its own custom look and personality.