47-55.1 16x5 6 Lug Wheel Rarity

[JoeDude]

Hard to find this wheel. Anyone know where to locate?

[dsraven]

I had a whole set but a buddy scooped them pretty quick when he seen them. sorry man.
unless you need a "stock" wheel for a numbers match or something there are other options if you don't mind them looking a little different. there is also the custom wheel guys who could build you exactly what you want.

[mr48chev]

Stock 54 wheel is 16x6

48 / 52 are 16x4 or 16 x 4-1/2. You do know that you measure from inside to inside of the lip of the wheel and not outside to outside?

[mr48chev]

I went back to 1940 in the GM heritage center archives and don't find 16x5 in either cars or trucks.

Then !!!! I looked at 56 trucks and they do have 16x5 wheels listed.
57 shows 16x5 available too.

Meaning that you are hunting for a 55 second series to 59 wheel .

[geezer#99]

Some here.


https://akhwheels.com/wheels/16-x-5-...l-wheel-6-lug/

[mr48chev]

Those don't have the clips for the early hubcaps that he most likely wants to run.

[dennislbrooks]

I have 4 - 16's that I am pretty sure are no more than 5 inches wide. They have 6.50 16 tires on them. Nylons made in Mexico. They came with my 1959 GMC Fleet but may/may not be orig on truck. The first pic is of a measured 16x6.5" wide rim which I run on my 59.

These measure thru slot either 4 1/2 or 5 inches. 3 are 3 wide clips and one is 6 narrow clips - one broken. Yes I know some clips are missing. I removed. Clips can be acquired and put back on.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Those don't have the clips for the early hubcaps that he most likely wants to run.

Then he could most likely get some clips and install them!

[dsraven]

mine were from a 58 chevy longbox, if that helps

[JoeDude]

Wow! What a great response from all. The reason I am pursuing that size is because the Ebay seller put on a "hodge podge" of different wheels for a rolling but "dead", rusty vehicle. The side bed-mounted spare is what I believe to be maybe original. No tire, but a rusty rim (color was matching truck patina) with the side bed rust-through at the wheel. I see it is evident from the old chart that the wheels are 16x4-1/2. I also have a note I don't remember where I got it, says "original wheels had 6 clips and later were 3-clip and 5" wide wheels. Yes, bead measurement is 5" and edge to edge is 6"

[mr48chev]

This is the souce of a lot of the info I post https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/...formation-kits

Scroll to the chosen year and open the pfd.

57 is the last year that shows those tire/wheel charts with 58 and 59 just listing tire sizes per gvw in the specs.

That 58 wheel that the photo of is a little over six.

I've seen those Hode podges of wheels on these trucks a lot.

I've never kept 16 inch six lug wheels around unless they had tires good enough to be decent rollers to tow a hulk off to where ever. I can't remember exactly what I did with the ones that came off my 48 in 1973 but I think I gave them to someone in town (McGregor. Tx who stopped and asked about them after I had the 15 inch Z28 Rally wheels on it.

I couldn't say without going out and looking at it if the wheel outside with the clips is 15 or 16 and don't know how wide it is. It will find a new home some day when someone local needs it.

[dsraven]

are you doing a numbers match restoration or you just like the old style tall wheels?

[mr48chev]

If I was running 16's with radials I'd be hunting a set of 58/59 16x6 like Dennisbrooks showed that can safely be run tubeless.

[JoeDude]

Originally Posted by dsraven

are you doing a numbers match restoration or you just like the old style tall wheels?

Not a numbers match. I had to replace the junk engine. I want to be able to have the correct size wheel so the speedometer reading would be more correct. I believe my spare's diameter is correct. It is just the question of the original 4-1/2" width spec vs. 5" and why my truck came with the 5" and had the color match of truck patina. I could get just a bit wider tire on that 5" too along with the original style hubcaps.

[JoeDude]

Originally Posted by dennislbrooks

I have 4 - 16's that I am pretty sure are no more than 5 inches wide. They have 6.50 16 tires on them. Nylons made in Mexico. They came with my 1959 GMC Fleet but may/may not be orig on truck. The first pic is of a measured 16x6.5" wide rim which I run on my 59.

These measure thru slot either 4 1/2 or 5 inches. 3 are 3 wide clips and one is 6 narrow clips - one broken. Yes I know some clips are missing. I removed. Clips can be acquired and put back on.

If you verified 5" bead width (6" edge-to-edge)?

[dennislbrooks]

Info, we cannot buy or sell on this thread. You will need to PM me. Or you might put on a WTB just in case there may be some closer to you. I know that Jesse72 - in Avon Ohio is selling some 59 GMC hubcaps that also showed looks like the orig wheels on the truck in northern Ohio. I do not know if he will part with them.

I will verify if mine are 6 inches on my wheels edge to edge thru the slot.


Dennis

[1project2many]

I want to be able to have the correct size wheel so the speedometer reading would be more correct.

The correct diameter tire is a function of wheel size and sidewall height. I have later 16" wheels on my truck so I can run 225/75R16 tires. The speedometer is accurate with these tires.

[dsraven]

just for info, it is not the actual wheel diameter that keeps the speedometer the same, it is the outside diameter of the tire that determines the speedometer speed. the speedometer is basically driven off a small gear set up on the output of the transmission. if you know the original size tire that the truck came with then the speedometer will stay the same with different wheels and tires as long as you keep the outside diameter of the tires the same. you can use the comparison chart in this link to search for a tire with a different wheel diameter but the same outside diameter. a smaller wheel with a tire that has a taller side wall and the same outside diameter of tire will make the speedometer read the same.
https://tiresize.com/comparison/
here is a link to the coker site that shows the specs for the 6.70 x 16 tire. it shows that tire is 28.6 inches tall/overall diameter. if youu find another wheel size, like a more common 15 inch, with a tire the same height, like a 207/70R15 at 26.3 inches tall or a 215/65r15 at 26.8 inches tall, your speedo should read very close to what it should read.
https://www.cokertire.com/tires/670-...blackwall.html

[dsraven]

sorry, I was looking up a 26 inch tall tire and you need a 28.6 inch tall tire. my mistake. a 245/70r15 tire is 28.5 inches tall. if you scroll down on the tire chart you will see tabs that show wheel diameter and tire sizes listed in that tab will be charted under their different outside diameters. you can look there to find a tire that suits a different size wheel but has the same outside diameter.
225/75r15 is what my buddy's '54 has on it with 15 inch wheels. it is a bone stock truck and they look good on there. sorry, no pic available.

[dsraven]

if your truck had the 6.00 x 16 tires they would have been 28.36 inches tall/outside diameter.
https://www.cokertire.com/tires/600-...blackwall.html
the 225/75R15 tire is 28.3 inches tall/outside diameter so pretty much spot on.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by JoeDude

If you verified 5" bead width (6" edge-to-edge), would you be willing to sell them?

No buying or selling from these threads and you need to be a paying member to buy or sell. Please consider doing so. I will also be editing out your comments.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by dennislbrooks

Info, we cannot buy or sell on this thread. You will need to PM me.
Dennis

Thank you Dennis.