Need help with wheels for 68 C-30

[Troy.Blackburn]

I have a 68 C-30 (10,000 lb GVWR for those that know they came in a variety of GVWR's). It's got a single wheel rear axle (completely stock and original, in clouding the factory wheels). I'd like to upgrade the wheels to something newer. In time I also plan on swapping out the factory drum brakes for disc brakes.

Can anyone help me with specs that I should be looking for with new wheels; max diameter, width and offset? I will not be making any body mods to accommodate larger wheels and tires. I am not looking for big wheels with low profile tires, this is a heavy duty truck and I plan on using it for serious hauling and towing.

Thank You
Troy
Posted via Mobile Device

[special-K]

Hi Troy. What you want to use are the factory 16" wheels used up through the V/R series '91...like a 3/4t Suburban of 3/4-1t crew cab (post '87). In the 67-72 era the 16s were split rim and 16.5 clinchers were introduced. I'm not sure if it began right at '73,but GM started using 16" clinchers while still offering 16.5s...until 16s because the standard and sole choice. They were on 8-lug vans,pickups,and Suburbans. You can actually use Ford or Dodge factory wheels,also. These wheels run 6-6 1/2" wide and all have the same backspace that will work...whatever it is. It wasn't until the modern wheels that things got so queer and complicated. I can measure some I have,but I believe the back space is about 4". I have wide (9.75") steel factory type 16.5s that have a 5 1/2" back space and 8.25" 0nes that have a 5 1/4" back space. I've only used the wider ones on 4wds but have seen guys run them on the front of C/20s and C/30s. I know for a fact that the 8.25s work with the 5 1/4" back space.