4x4 Wheels

[kchampagne]

Hello all,

I recently bought a 65 GMC Suburban 4x4 and would like to find some 16 x 7" 6 lug steel wheels with nubs that will work. I believe I should be looking for GMC or Chevy steel wheels from the 1970s? I've been searching craigslist locally, but the 16" steel wheels (I think from the late 80s and 90s) I've been finding don't appear to have a large enough centers for my hubs. I would think these 16" steel wheels would be readily available, especially at junkyards, but I am having trouble finding them. Any advice on what I should be looking for is much appreciated!

Thank you,
Ken

[AZKen]

Hello Ken, just to be a wise guy, I will say: Look for wheels that have a 6 on 5 1/2 pattern and a center hole that works. Most are 3.5 + diameter. I have a 60 4x4 and have not found any wheels that don't fit. Decide what diameter center hole you need and when searching craigslist, ask for that measurement. Fortunately our wheels are lug-centric.
When you say "don't appear" it makes me believe you are guessing from a picture? Many wheels will fit the front hub in my experience. But, of course, you must try before you buy. Plenty of used 6066 wheels available. 70's and up to about 87 rally wheels are nice too. BTW, in my opinion, on a 4x4, smaller 15" wheels with larger tires looks better, meaner. I know the fad now is 20's, 22's and all that. I am old school and 15" with a bit larger tire looks better to me.

[Funky61]

Here are the 15" wide variety but also available in 15x6. The 4 nubs would be great in case you update to disc brakes later. The 16" from the 71, 72 Blazers I think are 16x5 and require more searching.
Links shown just for reference.

Look at this on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/281929518866

67-72 73-87 60's 70's80's 15x8 4x4 6 Lug Chevrolet Truck K5 Blazer Steel Wheels

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/141836918294

6 LUG STEEL 16". For drum brakes

[GMCDAC]

Originally Posted by kchampagne

Hello all,

I recently bought a 65 GMC Suburban 4x4 and would like to find some 16 x 7" 6 lug steel wheels with nubs that will work. I believe I should be looking for GMC or Chevy steel wheels from the 1970s? I've been searching craigslist locally, but the 16" steel wheels (I think from the late 80s and 90s) I've been finding don't appear to have a large enough centers for my hubs. I would think these 16" steel wheels would be readily available, especially at junkyards, but I am having trouble finding them. Any advice on what I should be looking for is much appreciated!

Thank you,
Ken

Hi Ken welcome from western South Dakota. I'm with AZKen on this one as far as going with 15's but as Funky61 pointed out they're out there in the 16" variety. I think the 16's are fairly rare and expensive though. The one epay listing was $110 shipped but he only had one. Maybe in the Denver area they are easier to find than here.

The stock 15's from my '70 K5 Jimmy went on my '55 GMC and fit perfectly as I got a set of rallys for the Jimmy. Tires are also much more affordable in the 15" size. The '55 originally had a 16" wheel too but they were long gone when I got the truck. Managed to find two of them at a decent price but everything else I found was stupid expensive. Since I drive the crap out of the '55 I decided to go with the 15" setup for budget reasons, and they look nice too.

One of my sisters and her husband live in Littleton.

DAC

[kchampagne]

Thanks all!

[kchampagne]

I found a set of (5) 16" x 7", 6 lug steel wheels with the 4 nubs. The guy said they came off of a 76 Chevy truck. I haven't picked them up yet, but I was wondering if they require the 10.5" or 12" dog dish hubcaps? I believe the 12" GMC caps are much harder to find, especially with the front 4x4 hub cut-outs. Anyone know if these require the 12" hubcaps? Any other cap options for the 16" steelies?

[Funky61]

KC, please post photos of those wheels. I always though those were 16x5 and also; they are tough to find if they are the ones I'm thinking of.
I have a set of hubcaps I'll have to measure up that may be correct for those wheels.

[kchampagne]

Originally Posted by Funky61

KC, please post photos of those wheels. I always though those were 16x5 and also; they are tough to find if they are the ones I'm thinking of.
I have a set of hubcaps I'll have to measure up that may be correct for those wheels.

Sure, here are pics of the wheels. Thanks!

[Funky61]

Thanks for posting those KC; those are the 15 x 7 and a nice find; Width is measured on inside, bead to bead and its stamped somewhere on that wheel.
I have to correct that the 16's are 6" wide. I've been told they were found on forestry trucks.

[kchampagne]

Originally Posted by Funky61

Thanks for posting those KC; those are the 15 x 7 and a nice find; Width is measured on inside, bead to bead and its stamped somewhere on that wheel.
I have to correct that the 16's are 6" wide. I've been told they were found on forestry trucks.

Dang! I thought they were 16" rims. These pics show the stance and look I am shooting for with 7.50-16 tires or something similar. I don't think they make a 15" tire that is as tall and narrow as these?