8 lug Rim Tire Options (help)

[76Blue_Beast]

So I have looked around on here for a while and haven't seemed to be able to find the answer I am looking for. So I am going to ask for some help.

I have a 76 GMC Sierra Grande 2wd 3/4 ton 8 lug. I want to lower the truck in the next month or so once I move. I lost interest but my wife insisted I keep it and do some work on it. So here I am. I like the 5 star look keeping it plain or classic looking. I dont want giant baller rims or 13 in wires. I want what will look good with a 3/5 drop. (do you think this is a clean height?) This is what I was looking to go with. Mind you I have never droped a truck

https://westernchassisinc.com/shop/C...t-1-1-4-Rotor/

Please let me know where to start. Im open to all options and I just want a clean look. Heck I would even take factory wheels off another newer truck if possible. Is there a way to change the bolt patter to 5 lug? Is it worth doing it? These are all the questions I have.

Thanks guys!

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I have a C20 myself, and you can use C30 drop spindles for a 3" drop. All you need is the C30 caliper too from what I read. The rotor is the same.

For cheapish rims Hummer H2's come in 17's with tons of available tire sizes. Plus 2500HD's had nice 16,17, and 18's. You can use up too 2010. 2011 changed pattern.

[Duster]

The problem is the 8 lugs. That big a$$ 14blot in the back is a full floating axel, so changing bolt patterns won't safely happen. You would have to swap the rear end out and swap the hubs out to get it to a 5 lug. I bet it has a huge spring pack in the rear as well. Big project, but doable.
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[Duster]

Just looked at your truck. I would find some factory steelies, paint them white, and drop it. It would go good with that white top. Cool truck.
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[76Blue_Beast]

Thanks, I lost interest but now I'm back in the spin of things and figured I would drop it and try to find some cheap rims. Maybe give it a slight rat rod look lol seeing how I don't want to make it so nice that I don't want to drive it.

[76Blue_Beast]

H2 rims huh. That seems cool. Do you have any pics of one with them on. I bet that would be a fun look. I was looking in just doing the lowering right and buying the kit from western chasis for like 320 or so. It was the middle of the road kit. I don't mind paying for a good ride.

[79 blue monster]

check out my build i lowered my c20, and had all the same questions, i ended up just keeping it 8 lug and after about 2 months of searching i got a few ideas about wheels.
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[76Blue_Beast]

Your build is crazy! Damn I'm jealous lol but I do t want to go too low as I want mine for a dd and in case the wife drives it I don't want her messing anything up lol.
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[74 stepside]

Like said above, factory wheels polished or painted would look cool. 70 Blue Monster has one of the nicest 3/4 ton trucks Ive seen. Getting 8 lug wheels isnt that hard, but since the 14 bolt rears are wider than 1/2 ton rears, you cant have the wheels stick out. Or you might rub when lowered. So you are limited on back spacing. Cheapest wheel is stock take offs from newer trucks. Good luck!... Matt

[74 stepside]

Heres a 3/4 ton trucks with Hummer wheels, Aftermarket wheels, stock with caps, and my favorite, 8 lug slots. All these can be had in different sizes and backspacing.

[76Blue_Beast]

I really like the bottom two. Looks good. Where would I get some of them?
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[79 blue monster]

heres the few i found, some stock gm wheels and some 20in. i dont know what size your going with.

[79 blue monster]

the first wheel in this section is the wheels im going with. 20x10 in back and 20x8.5 in front

[76Blue_Beast]

See I would love to put 20's but I don't want to do any cutting to the frame plus for a dd I think it might be too low lol ( well to drive often). So hopefully I can find a kit where I can lower it have it look clean and manage with these damn 8 lug. Western seems to give all kinds of options but I noticed the one for 3/5 had c notch and realized that meant cutting. The thing is, I don't have many friends where I live or a proper set up to do all that or I'd be all for it. He'll I don't have a lift or my life would be easier lol. So just trying to do what I can with your basic tools and set up for now.

So I guess for now the H2 17" would be my best bet until I figure all the rest out. Plus their not that bad for a stock wheel anyways.
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[mkdesign]

Here are three options I came up with using the stock steelies. Tried ’96 center caps, then ’79 dog dishes but finally found a nice set of originals and used them until I did the ½ ton conversion. Hope this helps.

[76Blue_Beast]

MKdesign, how low is yours and what option did you go with to lower it? That's about where I want mine to be?


Thanks for the pics and the input!
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[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Have you thought about swapping out your Corporate 14 for the 9.5 14 bolt?

If you wanna drop it down it not only is quite a bit smaller height wise, but still adequately rated for 3/4 tons. Plus you can change your gear ratio at the same time if you want, and they weigh about 250 pounds less from what I can find out. Corporate 14 weighs 550#, and the 9.5 weighs under 300# from what I have seen. So just the less rotational weight will help with $4 a gallon gas a bit, and add in disk brakes for a bit less weight even. The new 1/2 tons with the 10,000+ tow ratings use a similar axle to the 9.5 14 bolt. The 90's 2500 used them a lot with 3.42 gears, and that what I am looking at myself.

This is the way I am going to go because I plan to make my truck handle it's best on street tires "400" tread ware".

[Duster]

Originally Posted by mkdesign

Here are three options I came up with using the stock steelies. Tried ’96 center caps, then ’79 dog dishes but finally found a nice set of originals and used them until I did the ½ ton conversion. Hope this helps.


Attachment 1062527

Attachment 1062531

Attachment 1062532

That's the look! That truck is bad.

[mkdesign]

Man I kinda wish I would have thoght about the smaller 2500 axle route before I went the 1/2 ton route. Don't get me wrong, I am really pleased with the way my truck looks with the torque thrust style wheels but it seems to have lost its "as found but lowered" vibe. Hey Blue Best, I'll draw up a sketch of the rear flip i built if it helps out. No welding and no problems.

[76Blue_Beast]

That would be great you can pm me all kinds of info too. I'm almost intimidated lol but it's might just be me on this project with limited space, however ill have a garage but at an apartment complex. Thanks again.
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[meatwagon83]

i always liked white wagon wheels for 8 lugs, they just look right

cragar nomad 1 in 8 lug

[Duster]

Wait a minute, I forgot about the steelies being 16.5's. Not a lot of tire options. Still, the skinny tires on them look good. I really like the looks of that orange truck of MK's.

[cleansquare]

Mk design...how much drop are you running and what size tires? I wanna duplicate that drop and ill need thw same tire size
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[mkdesign]

I took 2 coils out of the front and spaced the upper a-arms to get my camber back to normal and made my own flip kit for the back. The rear axle would touch the frame on big bumps but if I did a frame notch then the center section of the rear would hit the box. Since the box was perfect (I mean not a mark let alone a dent) I lived with the "bump clunk". I ran a 60 series front and big 75 series rear on the factory 16"s.

[cleansquare]

Originally Posted by mkdesign

I took 2 coils out of the front and spaced the upper a-arms to get my camber back to normal and made my own flip kit for the back. The rear axle would touch the frame on big bumps but if I did a frame notch then the center section of the rear would hit the box. Since the box was perfect (I mean not a mark let alone a dent) I lived with the "bump clunk". I ran a 60 series front and big 75 series rear on the factory 16"s.

Thanks...im 3/4 ton so ill have to go more drop to achieve what yiu did. Planning on some drop spindles and a homemade flip kit.

Coule you give me exact tire sizes? 235/60/16 or whatever? Im tires illiterate
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