'56 3800 - Need alternative to 17.5

Discussion in 'General Chevy & GMC Pickups Talk' started by michael5809, Sep 11, 2004.

  1. michael5809

    michael5809 Guest

    I have a 1956 Chevy 3800 with a 9' bed and 8,800 GVW rating. My current tires are really old and 17.5", which are no longer made and the few remaining are very expensive.

    Is there another tire size that will fit my rims, or do I need to get new rims for current tire sizes. NOTE: My current rims are 8 lug with a large hole for the floating axel in the back.

    Any ideas would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

    Michael
     
  2. tech1

    tech1 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2002
    Messages:
    333
    RE: '56 3800 - Need alternative to

    hey michael you will need to call coker tire they will have new wheels for your truck. the 17.5's are out of use the only thing they are used for anymore is low profile heavy duty trailers
     
  3. dave s

    dave s Guest

    RE: '56 3800 - Need alternative to

    see my reply in the 47-53 forum.
     
  4. nsula_country

    nsula_country Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2000
    Messages:
    24
    RE: '56 3800 - Need alternative to

    Could one use a 16" 8 hole rim. On my 79' I had 16.5" and ran into the same problem with avalibility of tires. I used 16" trailer rims 7" wide and have had them installed for years, no problems. Good luck.

    79 C20 Bonanza
    350/400 4bbl Q-Jet
    3.73 14-Bolt Corp.
     
  5. tech1

    tech1 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2002
    Messages:
    333
    RE: '56 3800 - Need alternative to

    yes it would not be a problem to move to 16 inch wheels but to keep your speedometer accurate you will need make up for the inch or so that you will lose going with the shorter wheels. the excess will have to be made up in the height of the tires.
     
  6. 48 chevy

    48 chevy Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2002
    Messages:
    14
    RE: '56 3800 - Need alternative to

    I am working on a 48 1 ton and it had 17 inch split rims.I took one rim to a shop that builds trailers and he gave me a 16 inch rim that looked to have close to the same backspacing.It works and with hubcap clips put in them I think my original hubcaps will work.
     

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