'56 3800 - Need alternative to 17.5

[michael5809]

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

 

[tech1]

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

 

[dave s]

RE: '56 3800 - Need alternative to

see my reply in the 47-53 forum.

 

[nsula_country]

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.

 

[tech1]

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.

 

[48 chevy]

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.