Plain old steelies - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cj847 · 07-18-2022, 06:50 PM

I've read several threads about stock steelies. I picked up a pair off of craigs list and I'm trying to identify. They are 15x6 (I think - hard to measure with tire on). Center bore is 3.5", lugs 6 on 5.5". But there are no manufacturer marks anywhere on them (K-H or other). Are these just some aftermarket trailer rims? Or could they be OEM. Any help is appreciated.

**jocko** · 07-18-2022, 07:00 PM

those appear to be pre-1970 OEM C/K10 wheels. Key ID feature is 3 cap retention nubs (vice 4) - these will not likely fit over disk brake calipers for awareness.

**special-K** · 07-19-2022, 07:21 AM

I think you are right about them being trailer wheels. The factory wheels don't have those raised areas between the lug nut holes. The earlier factory wheels with three hub cap nubs don't fit over disc brake calipers, but these non-GM wheels might. One company making wide steelies uses three nub centers that work with disc brakes. I believe the ceneters they use are for trailers

Here is a GM disc brake 6-lug wheel

**cwcarpenter98** · 07-19-2022, 01:13 PM

Post up a picture of the back side of the wheel, please.

The front looks very similar to the stock, drum brake wheels I pulled off my 63 when I went to discs

**Jason Banks** · 07-19-2022, 01:34 PM

I have 2 sets of wheels and a spare that look just like what CJ847 posted with the raised parts around the lug nuts.

Both sets came from 1968 model trucks. One of which was very original, so I can't imagine they were changed out.

I have a set of 6 lug disc brake wheels(and a spare) like Special-K posted that do not have the raised areas.

I think you have original 3 nub wheels.

**cericd** · 07-19-2022, 11:39 PM

Here are a couple pics of the original wheels from 1970 C10. They have three nubs and the raised areas between the lug holes. These wheels will not fit over disc brakes.

**jocko** · 07-20-2022, 12:15 AM

Chris, your post rung a bell for me, I meant to state '70 and earlier' (vice pre-70) in post #2. Thank you!

**68bowtie** · 07-20-2022, 02:26 AM

I learned something new. Excellent.

**HO455** · 07-20-2022, 12:39 PM

Remove the tire and you will find the manufacturer stampings which are required for all wheels.

cj847 · 07-21-2022, 04:50 PM

Haven't had a chance to remove a tire. Will report back if/when I do.

While we are documenting, I was curious how some 15" will work with disc brakes and other won't. A quick look at the back shows the difference. Hope it shows up in pics.

15" DB wheel (1982 c10) the one with 5 lugs.

15" non DB (assumed to be 1970 or earlier)

As you can see the db maintains approx 13.5" dia all the way to the center. The non disc dia is reduced within an inch of the bead.

**cwcarpenter98** · 07-21-2022, 05:30 PM

Yup, the wheels you picked up are the typical, stock drum brake wheels found on most early c10s. You can make them fit over disc brakes by running a spacer, but if you're staying with drums, you're all good to run those

**cericd** · 07-21-2022, 11:20 PM

Yep, once you get the tires off it's easy to see the different shapes of the wheel barrels.

First pic is a drums only wheel. Second pic is a disc brake compatible wheel.

07-18-2022, 06:50 PM	#1
cj847 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 543	Plain old steelies I've read several threads about stock steelies. I picked up a pair off of craigs list and I'm trying to identify. They are 15x6 (I think - hard to measure with tire on). Center bore is 3.5", lugs 6 on 5.5". But there are no manufacturer marks anywhere on them (K-H or other). Are these just some aftermarket trailer rims? Or could they be OEM. Any help is appreciated. Attached Images

07-19-2022, 07:21 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Plain old steelies I think you are right about them being trailer wheels. The factory wheels don't have those raised areas between the lug nut holes. The earlier factory wheels with three hub cap nubs don't fit over disc brake calipers, but these non-GM wheels might. One company making wide steelies uses three nub centers that work with disc brakes. I believe the ceneters they use are for trailers Here is a GM disc brake 6-lug wheel Attached Images __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-19-2022, 01:13 PM	#4
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,421	Re: Plain old steelies Post up a picture of the back side of the wheel, please. The front looks very similar to the stock, drum brake wheels I pulled off my 63 when I went to discs Attached Images __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

07-19-2022, 01:34 PM	#5
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,519	Re: Plain old steelies I have 2 sets of wheels and a spare that look just like what CJ847 posted with the raised parts around the lug nuts. Both sets came from 1968 model trucks. One of which was very original, so I can't imagine they were changed out. I have a set of 6 lug disc brake wheels(and a spare) like Special-K posted that do not have the raised areas. I think you have original 3 nub wheels.

07-19-2022, 11:39 PM	#6
cericd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Texan, back in TX Posts: 2,090	Re: Plain old steelies Here are a couple pics of the original wheels from 1970 C10. They have three nubs and the raised areas between the lug holes. These wheels will not fit over disc brakes. Attached Images __________________ Chris My 1970 SWB C/10 - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=534872

07-18-2022, 07:00 PM	#2
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,934	Re: Plain old steelies those appear to be pre-1970 OEM C/K10 wheels. Key ID feature is 3 cap retention nubs (vice 4) - these will not likely fit over disk brake calipers for awareness.

07-20-2022, 12:15 AM	#7
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,934	Re: Plain old steelies Chris, your post rung a bell for me, I meant to state '70 and earlier' (vice pre-70) in post #2. Thank you!

07-20-2022, 02:26 AM	#8
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,352	Re: Plain old steelies I learned something new. Excellent. __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

07-20-2022, 12:39 PM	#9
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,807	Re: Plain old steelies Remove the tire and you will find the manufacturer stampings which are required for all wheels. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

07-21-2022, 04:50 PM	#10
cj847 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 543	Re: Plain old steelies Haven't had a chance to remove a tire. Will report back if/when I do. While we are documenting, I was curious how some 15" will work with disc brakes and other won't. A quick look at the back shows the difference. Hope it shows up in pics. 15" DB wheel (1982 c10) the one with 5 lugs. 15" non DB (assumed to be 1970 or earlier) As you can see the db maintains approx 13.5" dia all the way to the center. The non disc dia is reduced within an inch of the bead. Attached Images

07-21-2022, 05:30 PM	#11
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,421	Re: Plain old steelies Yup, the wheels you picked up are the typical, stock drum brake wheels found on most early c10s. You can make them fit over disc brakes by running a spacer, but if you're staying with drums, you're all good to run those __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

07-21-2022, 11:20 PM	#12
cericd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Texan, back in TX Posts: 2,090	Re: Plain old steelies Yep, once you get the tires off it's easy to see the different shapes of the wheel barrels. First pic is a drums only wheel. Second pic is a disc brake compatible wheel. Attached Images __________________ Chris My 1970 SWB C/10 - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=534872



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