New Member-72 C20 Cheyenne

[Hayden’s72]

New here, posting my Grandsons 72 C20, dry central California truck. It has 16.5” wheels and tires that need to be replace soon, not for wear or age, looks. The front are 9.50-16.5 and rear are 32-12.50 x16.5. Both are 8 lug and that’s where the problem lies; he’s really liking the ralley wheel type but that’s not available in an 8 lug pattern. Any suggestions? I like the wheels that are on it but the rear tires being 32” give it a rake that we want to level out and the rear are 12” wide so one can’t even put 9.50’s on them, so looks like need to go with 16” or maybe 17’s?

[Hayden’s72]

A few more pictures:

[jocko]

Welcome! Nice truck-smart grandson! Invest in a set of white steelies and factory caps and he'll never be dateless on a Friday

[35boulder]

Welcome to you both. Looks like a nice truck. Post up more pics when you can and keep us posted on the wheel selection.

[Hayden’s72]

So if we were to go with the white steelies and caps I’m assuming 16” x ? width.
What size tires would match up? It has 4:10 rear end so like to stay with a large diameter wheel-tire combination.
Anyone i.d. the transmission from the SPID code of M49; TH 350 or 400?
Has factory air, converted on purchase to 134, ice cold.
Nice part is the kid bought it with his own money, wanted something The was pre-75 as it’s smog exempt. Really tight driver, no rattles or squeaks. 32K miles, don’t know if original but very clean, not a spot of rust.

[FirstOwner69]

Welcome aboard! Great looking truck.

Here's a link to a thread with a lot of 8 lug wheel ideas.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=330740

[67_C-30]

Awesome truck!

For the record, I'd totally go with white steelies. However, your Grandson may not feel that way. If he really wants the Rally wheel look, the closest thing I know of on a 3/4 ton truck is '88-'98 steelie C2500 wheels. They are 16" and they look a lot like truck Rallys.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Hayden’s72

So if we were to go with the white steelies and caps I’m assuming 16” x ? width.
What size tires would match up? It has 4:10 rear end so like to stay with a large diameter wheel-tire combination.
Anyone i.d. the transmission from the SPID code of M49; TH 350 or 400?
Has factory air, converted on purchase to 134, ice cold.
Nice part is the kid bought it with his own money, wanted something The was pre-75 as it’s smog exempt. Really tight driver, no rattles or squeaks. 32K miles, don’t know if original but very clean, not a spot of rust.

M49 is TH400

[Hayden’s72]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Welcome aboard! Great looking truck.

Here's a link to a thread with a lot of 8 lug wheel ideas.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=330740

Thank you!

[Hayden’s72]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

M49 is TH400

Thanks, I thought C20’s had the 400 and C10 the 350. The transmission pan is chrome aftermarket marked TH 350 but probably universal fit?

[Jeff's72C10*]

Good looking truck he has there

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Hayden’s72

Thanks, I thought C20’s had the 400 and C10 the 350. The transmission pan is chrome aftermarket marked TH 350 but probably universal fit?

This picture will help ID the transmission. A bit hard to read the print... top left is a 350. Top right is a 400.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

This picture will help ID the transmission. A bit hard to read the print... top left is a 350. Top right is a 400.

Like the ID chart FirstOwner posted above, TH350's and TH400's had different pans. It could have been changed at some point.

[67_C-30]

BTW, I may have told you wrong. According to another thread, M49 could mean either transmission in some years. All of the auto trucks I've had listed M38 for TH350, but that may not have been the case for '72.

Originally Posted by factorystock

Ok, OP is long gone, however GM did cause some confusion by listing the same SPID code M49 for both "turbo hydramatics" in some years.

[jocko]

for steelies, you can run either 16.5s or 16s, either will work. Stock width is 6-7 depending on which dia you choose, but wider 16.5s were available from the factory and tended to find themselves onto the back of the camper trucks a lot..
If you go with 16.5 wheels, tire choice is more limited, but still plenty available - Firestone TransForce HT 16.5x9.50 are perfect for our trucks.

yep, M49 could be either. TH350 vs TH400 not a 1/2 vs 3/4 ton thing, more a sbc vs bbc thing - both of which were available in either size truck. I'm going to guess yours came with a TH350 originally.

Hey, that's a 576 truck - extremely cool original paint combo, by the way. Looks like this:

[Hayden’s72]

Originally Posted by jocko

for steelies, you can run either 16.5s or 16s, either will work. Stock width is 6-7 depending on which dia you choose, but wider 16.5s were available from the factory and tended to find themselves onto the back of the camper trucks a lot..
If you go with 16.5 wheels, tire choice is more limited, but still plenty available - Firestone TransForce HT 16.5x9.50 are perfect for our trucks.

yep, M49 could be either. TH350 vs TH400 not a 1/2 vs 3/4 ton thing, more a sbc vs bbc thing - both of which were available in either size truck. I'm going to guess yours came with a TH350 originally.

Hey, that's a 576 truck - extremely cool original paint combo, by the way. Looks like this:

Thanks for that picture, never seen that color on a truck but had a 56 Belair 2-door Post in the same with black and yellow interior.
Will verify the transmission, thanks all for information. Kinda moot point, plan is an overdrive in the future; 700R4.
P.O. gave up nice original steering wheel, egg crate grill, extra dash bezel.

[sleepertruck72]

Welcome ! nice rig but no squeaks , rattles or rust ? Wheres the fun in that ?

[HO455]

Sharp looking truck. Looking good in the green. The original colors are cool too! Thanks to Jocko for posting the 576 truck. I've never seen that combo. My 67 C10 Burban is an M49 with a T400.
Welcome aboard!

[stsalvage]

In my 1972 in all 4 trucks i have one came with the th400 but the rest are th350.

There are 2 styles of 3/4 ton trucks there is a light duty with will have the 373 gear in a dana rear end and those are cool cus the drums slide right off.

The heavy duty ones you have to pull them apart and have to pull the axles out to get the brake drums off Spicer rear ends they can be a headache.

If your looking for a tire that will get good gas mileage and a comfortable ride Look up on tire rack reviews is the Michelin RIB tires 235/85/16 I've had 3 sets over 15 years with over 200,000 miles on them they suck in the snow or icy roads But that truck looks like a dry time of driving truck.I like the factory Ford rims that my hub caps pop on and off have a look the tires are the same on my truck they are so smooth plus when you have any weight on them they ride even smoother Make sure you front end in aligned and new Moog bushings are in stalled


Now if your kid is not going to do any hauling any heavy weight you can do thias and get a set of your ralleys to work

By converting your 3/4 ton over to 1/2 ton by using a set of CCP spindles that will take a 3/4 in Ball joint that use the 1/2 ton brakes.

Then you may have to find a rear end that is 1/2 ton. The tricky part is finding one with a 12 bolt coil rear end.If you have leaf spring then there are tons of them out there.

Before you start looking at 700R4 or the 4l60e or the 4l80E do some pricing.

I have one that will cost the same amount of money but this thing will turn your th350 or th400 in to a 6 speed its call a gear vendor there 2500.00 to 3000.00 an it bolts on to the end of your rear tail shaft is and you can set your shift pattern any way you like Plus they use them in top fuel Drag car's so they can handle 1000 HP

[stsalvage]

One rule of thumb people talk about 700R4 this and that You have no idea what else needs to be done after the 700r4 is fully rebuilt Then you have to set the shift points that cost another 1500.00.


So factor in what it cost to build a 700R4 in then the 5 hours of setting up the shift points unless you get the computer one and the computers for those are not cheap

Do your Home work go talk to a good trans shop tell them what your putting the trans in and what your going to be doing with it.

One guy i know learn the hard way with the 4L80E with the sm Hump in the floor.Did not Fit he had to cut the floor the 4L60e the 4L65E and the 4l70E will work with are low hump

Plus the 700R4 has many draw backs it has a lock up converter them things are now 300.00 and more don't leave it in over drive all the time of you burn it up the 4L80E is the best bang for your dollar Just make sure you have the th400 floor

[71blksuper4x4]

Closest thing to a rally wheel in a 8 lug is the Dodge steel wheel (16x6.5). You could slap a 8 lug chevy center cap on these. I believe it's anything up to 2010 or 2011, as newer than that is a metric bolt pattern of 8x180 vs the old 8x6.5. Just be advised as there is a steel wheel version and aluminum wheel versions of center caps. I used some on my square body.

[Hayden’s72]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

In my 1972 in all 4 trucks i have one came with the th400 but the rest are th350.

There are 2 styles of 3/4 ton trucks there is a light duty with will have the 373 gear in a dana rear end and those are cool cus the drums slide right off.

The heavy duty ones you have to pull them apart and have to pull the axles out to get the brake drums off Spicer rear ends they can be a headache.

If your looking for a tire that will get good gas mileage and a comfortable ride Look up on tire rack reviews is the Michelin RIB tires 235/85/16 I've had 3 sets over 15 years with over 200,000 miles on them they suck in the snow or icy roads But that truck looks like a dry time of driving truck.I like the factory Ford rims that my hub caps pop on and off have a look the tires are the same on my truck they are so smooth plus when you have any weight on them they ride even smoother Make sure you front end in aligned and new Moog bushings are in stalled


Now if your kid is not going to do any hauling any heavy weight you can do thias and get a set of your ralleys to work

By converting your 3/4 ton over to 1/2 ton by using a set of CCP spindles that will take a 3/4 in Ball joint that use the 1/2 ton brakes.

Then you may have to find a rear end that is 1/2 ton. The tricky part is finding one with a 12 bolt coil rear end.If you have leaf spring then there are tons of them out there.

Before you start looking at 700R4 or the 4l60e or the 4l80E do some pricing.

I have one that will cost the same amount of money but this thing will turn your th350 or th400 in to a 6 speed its call a gear vendor there 2500.00 to 3000.00 an it bolts on to the end of your rear tail shaft is and you can set your shift pattern any way you like Plus they use them in top fuel Drag car's so they can handle 1000 HP

Good information, thanks. Don’t think changing to 1/2 ton wheels and axles is an option as he bought the truck with money he makes breeding and showing cattle. He’ll be using it to move cattle between college, shows and his family’s ranch, thus a 3/4 ton long bed was what he wanted. The truck is rear leaf with 4:10 and heavy front and rear springs (G50 and F60). A gear vendor OD is an option we are considering but the 700R4 is cheaper if labor is not included; $1700 turnkey package from various vendors vs. $2895 for the Gear Vendor. His Dad has a large ag equipment sales and service facility with tools and lifts so he can do most of the work himself with help if needed.

[Hayden’s72]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Closest thing to a rally wheel in a 8 lug is the Dodge steel wheel (16x6.5). You could slap a 8 lug chevy center cap on these. I believe it's anything up to 2010 or 2011, as newer than that is a metric bolt pattern of 8x180 vs the old 8x6.5. Just be advised as there is a steel wheel version and aluminum wheel versions of center caps. I used some on my square body.

Those Dodge wheels look good.

[brown7373]

Sorry for poor definition. I used the steel wheels and added center caps and trim rings. I did this in 1991 and had to modify the backs of the caps to get them to let the wheel sit flush.

[Hayden’s72]

Originally Posted by brown7373

Sorry for poor definition. I used the steel wheels and added center caps and trim rings. I did this in 1991 and had to modify the backs of the caps to get them to let the wheel sit flush.

Nice; sweet ‘Burb.