What was the original size wheel for the "54" 3100 series truck? 15", 16", bolt pattern, tubeless, width? My truck has 15" wheels with the clips in the middle for a hub cap and a chrome trim ring (tubeless) I have installed disc brakes on the front and will have to replace the wheels due to clearance issues just want to weigh my options. Thanks Mike
Hey Mike, standard wheels on the '54 (3100) were 16"x4 1/2", 6 lug with 6.00x16 6 ply tires. Chevy offered an RPO wheel package with 15"x5 1/2", 6 lug with 6x15 4 ply tires. Both wheels ran with tubes and both wheels had 6 clips to attach the hubcaps. Hope that helps, Ken
Thanks for the info Ken, my truck has 15" rims, 6 lug and also has the clips for the center hub cap I have been talking to the guys at Stockton Wheels and they say if I remove the rivets holding the center hub to the wheel and send them my centers they can fabricate me a set of 16" wheels to use with the disc brakes I installed and than I am going to have them powder coat them while they have them. Pricey but should look pretty sharp. Has anyone dealt with Stockton in the past, good, bad???
I'm with Russ there. I've never used Stockton, but they definitely have a good reputation. I've got a question though. What "look" are you trying to get? Original, nostalgic, old school, etc? My reason for asking is that what you're describing sounds like mega-bucks to make as well as taking original parts out of circulation. Stockton makes "oem looking" wheels as does other vendors if that's the look you want. Chances are, they are cheaper to buy than tearing up original wheels and having bigger rims attached to 50 year plus center pieces. Check that out and look at other vendors. As far as your original wheels, try to sell them on Craig's List or E-Bay, as you might be surprised as to what they might fetch! That would defray the cost of new wheels that would fit your mods. Just thinking out loud and hoping you get the biggest bang for your buck! Ken
Look around at swap meets for 16" rims....they are out there. Just tell everyone what you are looking for and they will help you find them. thats how I found the ones for the 53.
I really appreciate all the advice sometimes when trying to reach a conclusion you don't think about all the solutions that's what makes this site so great. I am trying to keep the look I have now, wheels painted the same color as the truck, baby moon cap and chrome trim rings. I will look into other options as a solution to keep from killing a set of stock rims. Hey ol' chebby do you know if the 16" wheels will fit my truck with the disc brakes? Thanks
I've used a company called Wheel Vintiques before, good product, nice prices. That's who I'm planning on using, I checked prices and they seemed cheaper than Stockton for the stlye I'm planning on using. Just another option
If you are rubbing the rim, not the center, then yes, a 16" should work. If you are rubbing the center section, you may need a spacer.
Hi, I live near Stockton Wheel . They do excellent work, They straightened my wheels and repaired the hub cap clips and powder coated all 5 wheels for $50 each. That was 6 years ago . Had others done too. Gary
I had original tires on the 4x16 inch rims, the only tires available to fit it are bias ply. I could not find radials that narrow to fit the rim. They looked skinny and anemic. For the look you are wanting, our host has some nice chrome rims with a six bolt pattern that came with a chrome moon hubcap (free). They take a nice sized radial tire as well, and the ride is wonderful compared to bias ply, I thought they were very reasonable money wise. Many folks think the best ride improvement for the money on your truck is radial tires. That's what I have on mine in the picture here. Flashlight
16" radials You will find that LT215 85R16 truck tires will squeeze nicely onto your 16"X4" original rims. The tread bulges just a bit, but mine have worked quite well on my 54 since I put these on in 2003. Some tire dealers are reluctant to mount tubeless tires on tube type rims, but they have worked ok for me. The really wide sidewalls on these tires allow you to pinch them in far enough to mount on 4" rims. They call for mounting on something like 5.5" rims. I bead blasted my old rims and repainted real well before mounting the tires. Good luck. Jim
What he said . . . My local mentors are retired tire busters and said that Michelin's are the best because of their side wall flex. I was lucky enough to find a set of used ones that are working fine and will keep me going for a few more years. Ps: Nice photo Jim
