1962-1963 GMC K1500 hubcap

[60-66]

Looking to see if anyone has factory photos of a 3/4 ton K1500 GMC or original hubcaps. I recently found this NOS GMC hubcap. The center hole is only 2.115 and would need to be enlarged to work with lockout hubs . This is the only 4x4 hubcap GMC lists in the parts books for 3/4 ton 4x4 . Anyone have an original K1500 62-63 ? Even old fire truck photos?

[factorystock]

Super rare cap Jon! I've never seen one. But makes you realize how rare '62-'63 Custom 3/4 ton 4x4 GMC's were back when new and how super rare one is today in excellent condition. This is the only photo I could come up with from back in the day. It's small and grainy, not sure what is going on. I was under the impression the standard uncut hubcap would fit over the front 4x4 hub. IMO, the hole is much too small for the full axle, must be for the tip only. '71 photo for 4x4 hub reference. Bottom photo brand new '62 1/2 ton 4x4. Hub and hole appears much larger than the hole in your 3/4 ton cap.

[MusicMan70]

Beautiful Cap/S and rarity information!

Thanks for sharing this with us.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Super rare cap Jon! I've never seen one. But makes you realize how rare '62-'63 Custom 3/4 ton 4x4 GMC's were back when new and how super rare one is today in excellent condition. This is the only photo I could come up with from back in the day. It's small and grainy, not sure what is going on. I was under the impression the standard uncut hubcap would fit over the front 4x4 hub. IMO, the hole is much too small for the full axle, must be for the tip only. '71 photo for 4x4 hub reference. Bottom photo brand new '62 1/2 ton 4x4. Hub and hole appears much larger than the hole in your 3/4 ton cap.

Im pretty sure that the standard uncut rear cap will fit on a fulltime 4 wheel drive front axle ( no lockouts ). To me its just odd to be cut so small. The original caps i have for 1960-1961 4x4 and 62-63 have a 5 inch hole . But seeing one like this makes you think about , WHY ? Parts books give no explanation other than they state, "For 17.5 and 19.5 wheels " . There is no other part number for the front chrome 4x4 hubcap . I was thinking the same as you though with that 71 truck hub .

[60-66]

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

Beautiful Cap/S and rarity information!

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Agree ! Learning new stuff on these trucks all the time. GMC stuff is very hard to figure out .

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Parts books give no explanation other than they state, "For 17.5 and 19.5 wheels " .

Just a hunch. There were 2 different 17.5 and 2 different 19.5 wheels in this era. The 3/4 ton 2WD pickups used the newer more positive offset style introduced in '60 due to the new independent front suspension. The step vans with the straight front axle continued to use the old carryover '56-'59 flatter style wheels. Question is did the 3/4 ton 4x4s ( straight front axle also) use the older wheels instead of the 2WD wheels? Can't find any photos of 3/4 4x4 with solid wheels, the wheels in my previous post were 17" 3 piece. Of course, there is the physical test, try to install a normal hubcap on one of these older flatter style 17.5 or 19.5 wheels and see if it clears.

[60-66]

Everything Ive seen 1960 on up used the same as 2WD 17.5s more positive offset wheels .

[factorystock]

Photo taken when brand new. Again, a 3/4 ton 4x4 with the wheel of choice for severe off road work, the 17" 3 piece. Standard uncut hubcap clears this rim and the newer 17.5's and 19.5's, but at a loss for finding any original photos of a '62-'63 3/4 ton 4x4 with solid wheels. Bottom photo of a 3/4 ton 4x4 with 15" 3 piece wheels.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Photo taken when brand new. Again, a 3/4 ton 4x4 with the wheel of choice for severe off road work, the 17" 3 piece. Standard uncut hubcap clears this rim and the newer 17.5's and 19.5's, but at a loss for finding any original photos of a '62-'63 3/4 ton 4x4 with solid wheels. Bottom photo of a 3/4 ton 4x4 with 15" 3 piece wheels.

Thank you ! Great photos Factorystock ! Very interesting . It really makes me wonder why they made a factory 4x4 cap and then they don't use it on all 4x4s ? But on the other hand, it makes sense . With the hole being 5 inches , the cap in your picture can easily be cut without worrying about the G or C still being on the cap . 1/2 ton that doesn't work.

[60-66]

Hopefully you can read this picture from the parts book. Seems this part numbered cap I have, with the hole , 2415721 is 1962 "J" series only and 17.5 and 19.5 wheel only . Looks like I need to look deeper into the wheels . 1963 "G" series GMC did not use this 2415721 hubcap , according to note 31 in this picture, instead they only used the uncut cap , same as rear 2415719 in chrome. For 1962 theres 4 different hubcaps for 3/4 ton 4x4, for 63 just two painted or chrome.

Note that it also states , for "F" series none used on 4x4 .

[60-66]

By the parts book , that red and white truck is a 1963.

[gmc jr van]

The hubcap you have is for the Free Wheeling Hub on axle FH-035. The knob seal 7014546 is 1 5/16 dia. So, it’s a small knob.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by gmc jr van

The hubcap you have is for the Free Wheeling Hub on axle FH-035. The knob seal 7014546 is 1 5/16 dia. So, it’s a small knob.

Just curious if you have ever had or tried this hubcap with the Spicer hub in place ? I don't have a 3/4 ton truck here at the moment with that hub. It will not work with a Warn hub . Thats been proven . I'm thinking that spacer needed to use the Spicer hub is going to push it further out than the hubcap can handle. I agree, the Spicer knob fits through the cap when just holding it up to the cap, but will it when everything is bolted together ? That's why we're looking for factory photos of this cap in use. Picture below

[60-66]

Here’s this cap with the spicer hub behind it

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by gmc jr van

The hubcap you have is for the Free Wheeling Hub on axle FH-035. The knob seal 7014546 is 1 5/16 dia. So, it’s a small knob.

Great info! Thanks for posting!

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Great info! Thanks for posting!

Now to find a photo of it used that way .

[factorystock]

Sales brochures have no mention of any optional hubs, however the GMC silver book shows the Warn hubs as being available in '64. No mention of Spicer type in book. Found a photo of the Warn type, not sure if it's a '64 or '65 pickup. Again, it would have been more economically feasible to have just one large cut out hubcap for all applications, which is why I surprised the small hole cap even existed.

[60-66]

In the Chevrolet data book, hubs are an RPO . For GMC they were a “Special Installation “ done after the trucks were assembled but at the factory. I would guess more were done at the Dealership.GMC Data book in these pictures shows both . Same with the parts books .

[factorystock]

Still no photo of one of these, but begs the question, did Chevy offer one of these small hole 4x4 hubcaps as well? Probably would have come painted only and would have been for '61 only, because Chevy stopped installing hubcaps on 4x4's on '62's.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Still no photo of one of these, but begs the question, did Chevy offer one of these small hole 4x4 hubcaps as well? Probably would have come painted only and would have been for '61 only, because Chevy stopped installing hubcaps on 4x4's on '62's.

From my recent research , no chrome front caps offered on Chevrolet 4x4 61-62 and possibly 1960 as well from what I see . I have factory photos of 1961 Custom 4x4s with white hubcaps on a 1/2 ton . Oddly the parts book lists the 3781652 chevy 4x4 hubcap as 1961 and 1962 4x4 white 3/4 ton but you don't see hubcaps on 62s like you say .

As for the small hole , I have yet to find an NOS Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 front hubcap.

[factorystock]

The GMC only chrome 4x4 hubcaps must be part of the "upscale" image GM wanted to preserve for their higher end pickups.

[factorystock]

Found a photo of a '67 (brand new), and appears to have a Spicer type lock out hub.'67 3/4 ton front axle hubs should have the same set up as a '62-'63. Same 16.5" wheel in previous '64-'65 4x4 Warn hub photo. This particular 16.5" clip type wheel (shown) is a standard production GM 17.5" center re mounted in a wider aftermarket 16.5 outer wheel. As you know, these wheels were special order till they became a factory option around '67. A good test fit for a small hole '62-'63 3/4 4x4 cap, if of course, these unaltered original 3/4t 4x4's with original Spicer lock out hubs and original wheels still exist.

[Short 3/4]

Interesting thread.
Makes me curious about the history of my 65 K10. I’m the second owner, but unfortunately the original owner had been dead for many years before I got it (long story) so could not ask all the questions I would have loved to ask. It originally came from the local Chevy dealer and spent its entire life before I got it on a local horse ranch. My buddy that used to manage the farm supply store remembers the ranch manager using the truck to pick up supplies in the old days.The truck had been parked in the barn since the 80’s. When I rescued it it still had what due to paint and condition looked to be the original 15” clip type split rims. The original built sheet behind the seat lists the wheels as HB5, and they were originally painted white. What is interesting is it still had some very well used small hole 60-63 Chevy painted hubcaps on the front only. I know Chevy didn’t put caps on that year 4x4, so maybe the dealer dug some up to doll up the truck in the showroom, but interesting that the factory would have installed clip type rims on a K truck that would not have been offered with caps. I know the rancher would not have gone out of his way to find hubcaps for a work truck for the ranch hands. What’s amazing is that they were still on the truck 20 years later when it was parked. The build sheet shows the Spicer hub option, but unfortunately there is a big hole where some other options are listed (damn mice).

Any ideas on how this truck wound up with what sure look like original hubcaps?

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Found a photo of a '67 (brand new), and appears to have a Spicer type lock out hub.'67 3/4 ton front axle hubs should have the same set up as a '62-'63. Same 16.5" wheel in previous '64-'65 4x4 Warn hub photo. This particular 16.5" clip type wheel (shown) is a standard production GM 17.5" center re mounted in a wider aftermarket 16.5 outer wheel. As you know, these wheels were special order till they became a factory option around '67. A good test fit for a small hole '62-'63 3/4 4x4 cap, if of course, these unaltered original 3/4t 4x4's with original Spicer lock out hubs and original wheels still exist.

I guess this is why I still feel the combo wont work but I have some ideas on mocking it up. These are the factory ordered 16.5 wheels on my old 66. I know the 62-63 hubcap is taller but ? By how much . I cut these caps to put on this truck but the truck is gone now. Also , the parts book specifically says 17.5 and 19.5 wheels, makes me think the center of the wheel is taller than a 16.5. .

[60-66]

Originally Posted by Short 3/4

Interesting thread.
Makes me curious about the history of my 65 K10. I’m the second owner, but unfortunately the original owner had been dead for many years before I got it (long story) so could not ask all the questions I would have loved to ask. It originally came from the local Chevy dealer and spent its entire life before I got it on a local horse ranch. My buddy that used to manage the farm supply store remembers the ranch manager using the truck to pick up supplies in the old days.The truck had been parked in the barn since the 80’s. When I rescued it it still had what due to paint and condition looked to be the original 15” clip type split rims. The original built sheet behind the seat lists the wheels as HB5, and they were originally painted white. What is interesting is it still had some very well used small hole 60-63 Chevy painted hubcaps on the front only. I know Chevy didn’t put caps on that year 4x4, so maybe the dealer dug some up to doll up the truck in the showroom, but interesting that the factory would have installed clip type rims on a K truck that would not have been offered with caps. I know the rancher would not have gone out of his way to find hubcaps for a work truck for the ranch hands. What’s amazing is that they were still on the truck 20 years later when it was parked. The build sheet shows the Spicer hub option, but unfortunately there is a big hole where some other options are listed (damn mice).

Any ideas on how this truck wound up with what sure look like original hubcaps?

Welcome to the thread !
First , by what your saying Im assuming you have a short bed 1965 Chevrolet K10 ? On all Chevy K trucks the Data book states wheel colors as Black for solid color trucks and Body Color for two tone trucks, White wheels were ONLY used on GMCs . In 1967 that changed for Chevrolet.

As for the wheels , all the lock ring (split rims) wheels had clips . They didn't make a nub style lock ring wheel. In fact ALL 3/4 ton wheels had clips. 1/2 ton there was a choice . Had an original 1966 2wd Suburban with lock ring wheels as well.

As for the hubcaps , My 1966 K20 came from the Dealer , not the factory , with 1960 K20 hubcaps. The owner traded in a 1960 K20 and wanted the hubcaps on his new 1966 truck. Thats a possible explanation for your hubcaps. The other is that the wheels and tires were swapped from another truck. That can be verified by taking the tire off a rim and checking the date stamp inside.

This is my old 66 K20 when it was still in the original owners possession. Notice the white 1960 only K type hubcaps .