55.2-59 1959 Napco Wheel Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Steveoreno · 11-12-2023, 04:21 PM

Guys, I understand that the Chevy 1/2 ton Napco came with 16" wheels standard...maybe 16 x 5.5 and they had three hubcap retaining clips. I just found a set of 16" x 5" 6 lug wheels that came off of a 1958 Apache 2wd....they have three hubcap retaining clips but are drilled for 6 clips (see attached). The truck they came off of was a one family owned original from Idaho. So my question is.......is there any reason that I cannot run these wheels on my Napco with 7.50x16 tires. I did note that the center hole of the wheel will not clear the washers on the lockout retainer bolts...I may have to file and index the washers. I thought that any 16" wheel with 6 retaining clips was for a car....just want to make sure that I will be OK with these. Thx.

mr48chev · 11-12-2023, 08:06 PM

According to this Coker says you can run the 7.50 16 street tires on 5 to 6 inch rims. The "grips" that would be more proper on that truck should fit. Price is the same = out of my budget.

Steveoreno · 11-12-2023, 09:43 PM

Thanks Mr48...................and for the record......they are out of my price range as well LOL

**MJN** · 11-14-2023, 09:19 AM

The lock washers for the drive flanges on my Napco axle had flat spots so the wheel would clear the hub. I put lock out hubs on and its going to be a close fit.

Steveoreno · 11-14-2023, 12:43 PM

Thank you MJN...that is exactly what I was thinking of doing...it looks like the washers are simply not indexed properly...its going to be a close fit for the wheels to clear but I think I'll manage. Bought the wheel and hub cap set. Working on saving the very rusty cab this winter...goal is to have it in primer by spring. Doing full kick panels, cowl, lower A-pillar. cab mounts and floors now....cab step, inner and outer cab corners to follow...then on to the other side...............UGH

1project2many · 11-15-2023, 02:40 PM

How original does the truck have to appear? Maybe a more modern version of a lock washer, one with an internal star and a smaller OD, would solve the problem?

Steveoreno · 11-15-2023, 08:57 PM

I would be receptive to using those washers as opposed to filing the lock washers,,,I was even thinking of using studs with nylocks like the picture shown. Either way it would look great and it is not going to any concours events.

11-12-2023, 04:21 PM	#1
Steveoreno Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Penn Yan, NY Posts: 57	1959 Napco Wheel Question Guys, I understand that the Chevy 1/2 ton Napco came with 16" wheels standard...maybe 16 x 5.5 and they had three hubcap retaining clips. I just found a set of 16" x 5" 6 lug wheels that came off of a 1958 Apache 2wd....they have three hubcap retaining clips but are drilled for 6 clips (see attached). The truck they came off of was a one family owned original from Idaho. So my question is.......is there any reason that I cannot run these wheels on my Napco with 7.50x16 tires. I did note that the center hole of the wheel will not clear the washers on the lockout retainer bolts...I may have to file and index the washers. I thought that any 16" wheel with 6 retaining clips was for a car....just want to make sure that I will be OK with these. Thx. Attached Images

11-12-2023, 08:06 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,286	Re: 1959 Napco Wheel Question According to this Coker says you can run the 7.50 16 street tires on 5 to 6 inch rims. The "grips" that would be more proper on that truck should fit. Price is the same = out of my budget. Attached Images __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-12-2023, 09:43 PM	#3
Steveoreno Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Penn Yan, NY Posts: 57	Re: 1959 Napco Wheel Question Thanks Mr48...................and for the record......they are out of my price range as well LOL

11-14-2023, 09:19 AM	#4
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 2,963	Re: 1959 Napco Wheel Question The lock washers for the drive flanges on my Napco axle had flat spots so the wheel would clear the hub. I put lock out hubs on and its going to be a close fit. Attached Images __________________ '51 South Bend Model "9A" '56 Chevy 3600 NAPCO '74 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20-restored on 37's '72 GMC Sierra Custom K2500- in progress '08 GMC Envoy Denali '12 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali '17 GMC Yukon XL VCCA member #58596 http://www.nohrco.com

11-14-2023, 12:43 PM	#5
Steveoreno Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Penn Yan, NY Posts: 57	Re: 1959 Napco Wheel Question Thank you MJN...that is exactly what I was thinking of doing...it looks like the washers are simply not indexed properly...its going to be a close fit for the wheels to clear but I think I'll manage. Bought the wheel and hub cap set. Working on saving the very rusty cab this winter...goal is to have it in primer by spring. Doing full kick panels, cowl, lower A-pillar. cab mounts and floors now....cab step, inner and outer cab corners to follow...then on to the other side...............UGH

11-15-2023, 02:40 PM	#6
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,158	Re: 1959 Napco Wheel Question How original does the truck have to appear? Maybe a more modern version of a lock washer, one with an internal star and a smaller OD, would solve the problem?

11-15-2023, 08:57 PM	#7
Steveoreno Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Penn Yan, NY Posts: 57	Re: 1959 Napco Wheel Question I would be receptive to using those washers as opposed to filing the lock washers,,,I was even thinking of using studs with nylocks like the picture shown. Either way it would look great and it is not going to any concours events. Attached Images



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