Near-original wheel replacement

[bpmcgee]

So the '61 2wd GMC Suburban doesn't have factory wheels anymore. According to the documentation, it should have 15x5, 15x5.5, 16x5, or 17.5x5.25 wheels.

Obviously the 17.5s are out since new 17.5 tires are made of unobtainium. I'd like to keep the overall tire size as big as possible, since the 305 V6 has such a low redline. So I'm looking at 16x5s.

73 and later C10s also used 16x5s, and they were on the 6x5.5 bolt pattern (http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/p-23674...6x65-8009.aspx). I don't know the backspacing though.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of these? Would they work on the '61?

What do other people use when they want close to stock on these trucks?

Brian

[Brad54]

This doesn't really answer your question, but it's something to throw into the mix:
If your GMC has a Dana 44 rear end in it, that rear is still made and used by the manufacturer's today--which means posi differentials and gear sets are readily available.
New Jeeps have them, and Jeep guys are always getting rid of 3-series differentials to go with 4-series.
I have the optional Dana 44 in my '62 Suburban (coil sprung), and put a Jeep take-out posi unit in it, with 3.42 gears.
(I also have a 4spd OD manual trans, so it honks down the highway at 80mph under 2,500rpm)
If rpm is the priority for your wheels and tires, you might want to consider a rear end rebuild too.
Especially if your GMC Suburban is leaf springs--Leaf Spring Dana 44s are a lot easier to find than coil-sprung.

-Brad