65 c20 wheel question

[chance65c20]

I was owndering if you guys could help me out. I have a 65 c20 and it currently has 16.5 rims and i was wondering if i had to run 16.5 or could i go 16. It has some cookie cutters right not and i just wanna got to some stock steelies and i found some 16 for a good price. not to mention 16 tires are a dime a dozen compared to 16.5. Thanks for your help guys

[oem4me]

16's are ok and tires are way easier to find that way. The only issue is stock hubcaps won't fit. If that's not important to you, you're in.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by oem4me

16's are ok and tires are way easier to find that way. The only issue is stock hubcaps won't fit. If that's not important to you, you're in.

Also...if I remember correctly--the 16.5 rims are split rims and many dealerships wont mount tires on them.

If I am wrong others can chime in.

[padresag]

16.5 were not split rims
ron

[paulspickupparts]

There is a 17.5 and 19.5 with hubcap clips. The 19.5 rims are very hard to find . The 17.5 are not so hard to find. However it is easy to find 19.5 tires as they have a wide commercial use. The 17.5 tires are out there but selection is limited and price is higher. Both will take the hubcap if you have the correct rim. If you do not care about the hubcaps run 16's . Tires are easy to find.

[chance65c20]

thanks for all the input guys. i wasnt to sure if they had to be 16.5 or i could go 16. im definatly going to try and find some 16 cause tires are way easier to find. Thanks again

[rideblue00]

Heres what i did for temporary. These rims are from a 1988-1998 chevy 3/4 ton. Tire size is 275/75/16. They fit fine except the lug nuts need to be changed to the newer configuration and my pic will show that. that way you can put on the newer plastic centercaps. I have it in the works to mount the stock hubcaps on the newer rims but havent had time to do so. I bought extra clips from classic parts of america. hopefully i will get to this soon.

[oem4me]

I nabbed a full set of 16's from a van (I think late 70's) and just ran the earliest caps that would work. I too have thought of adding clips for the older caps, but those caps are a bit smaller in diameter and would not even cover the (four) nubs on the newer wheels. Even still, I might try it someday. Oh, and the lug nuts are standard old style.

[factorystock]

The 16.5" 8 lug wheel was orginally introduced for pickup campers in the early 60's by the aftermarket Firestone, Goodyear and Kelsey Hayes way before they became standard equipment in the 70's.This wheel was wider one piece design and was much more stable with a camper aboard. These original 16.5" rims were 8 .25" inside bead to bead and typically ran 10-16.5" tires. These early style wheels do have clips for hubcaps, later style 16.5" ('69 and newer) wheels have bumps and do not accept original 3/4 ton hubcaps. As photo shows, this C 20 is running 16.5" one piece wheels with hubcaps on rear and stock rims on front. Sharp unit!

[padresag]

I don't really think that they come out in any production vehicles until 67
there is some reported 66??
ron

[factorystock]

1967 was the first year GM offered the 8 lug one piece 16.5" wheels with clips as options,as well as 1968, but most buyers turned them down. Almost as hard as finding 19.5" one piece wheels. May have came out late in the '66 model year like the shoulder belts, but have never seen any documentation. In 1969 the 8 lug 16.5" wheel with bumps was introduced by GM and used throught the 70's. Funny thing is when the 16" one piece 8 lug wheel came out in the mid 70's, most buyers turned them down also.The 16" one piece 8 lug wheel didn't take off untill the early 80's. The early resistance to these new wheel sizes was due to finding new size tires, like today, nobody likes to stock tires till they get popular.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by factorystock

The 16.5" 8 lug wheel was orginally introduced for pickup campers in the early 60's by the aftermarket Firestone, Goodyear and Kelsey Hayes way before they became standard equipment in the 70's.

Here is the ad from 1965 for the aftermarket 16.5" wheels seen on the '64 C 20 above.

[factorystock]

Another example of a wide base steel wheel used on an ex camper hauler. A very common set up in the 60's. This is actually the Ford or Dodge version on this Custom Camper (they still fit), notice inner tabs are used to hold the hubcap on, Chevy or GMC versions used clips.http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mn...20822A/D4339/8

[60-66]

Heres the original documents on our 66K20 with 8 lug 16.5 wheels. Original spare tire. The 4 new tires on it now are BFGoodrich.

[63burban]

My 1974 Chevy K20 has these rims with the hub cap clips. I blew a BFG plowing snow last year and can't find 10.50x16.5 BFG mud terrains anywhere

[60-66]

Originally Posted by 63burban

My 1974 Chevy K20 has these rims with the hub cap clips. I blew a BFG plowing snow last year and can't find 10.50x16.5 BFG mud terrains anywhere

Really !? That's a bummer ! Just looked those up and all they show are 17s now. These are a few years old. See you at Iola

[63burban]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Really !? That's a bummer ! Just looked those up and all they show are 17s now. These are a few years old. See you at Iola

Jon, not vending at Iola but will be there with my 56 Chevy 4 door HT on Friday

[yelmer]

good info jon thanks !!

[60-66]

Originally Posted by yelmer

good info jon thanks !!

Welcome Mike, Thank you for the info you provide here also. I think Im long overdue in saying Thank You ! To Factorystock for all the info and vast knowledge you provide. Im leaning new things everyday on this site by all those that contribute here and I just love reading all the posts and ideas.

Jon

[factorystock]

For those wanting go with the popular 16" 1 piece wheel on C 20's, and what to use period hubcaps, this thread may be of interest.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=591894

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

For those wanting go with the popular 16" 1 piece wheel on C 20's, and what to use period hubcaps, this thread may be of interest.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=591894

What is the width of that Ford rim Factory stock ?

[rideblue00]

I have a similar idea as well. Mine involves using 88-99 chevy truck rims. It should work with 6 or 8 lug, as i have both and also the 3/4 ton cap. My project has taken a back seat to other stuff, but i did use a few of the new purchased clips from Classic Parts of America. I had to mess a little to get them positioned just right, but not too hard. I will try to come up with a template. I was able to use self tapping screws, but they wont stay tight after repeated taking them on and off. My idea was to weld the clip on, but its spring steel, after welding them, they get brittle and break. So i went back to the self tapper and was going to weld the back side of the screw. Thats as far as i got. Only one other thing of interest: I did have to heat and bend the clip to hold the cap just right. As of now its another unfinished mod that i started, lol. The ford rim idea looks good. Maybe someone is willing to do this mod and do a build thread of it. I also came up with this link to some 6 luggers that aren't too expensive and was going to get one and check out maybe using these.
http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/..._p/vts-068.htm

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 60-66

What is the width of that Ford rim Factory stock ?

The late model Econoline wheel is known as a 16X7. Inside shoulder where tire bead sits is 7" across. Outside edge to outside edge is actually closer to 8". It is uncanny how close they resemble the GM manufactured 16.5 wheels of 1967 and 1968. The Kelsey Hayes aftermarket 16.5" ( 1963 thru 1966 ) is actually a GM 17.5" center in a wider Kelsey Hayes outer rim.

[rickywideglide]

im running 16 inch in front i think the ford wheels you mentioned, the rear are 16.5 but arent even the same maybe wider, gonna try to get some to match the front