4x4 Wheels
 

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

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

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.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

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

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

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

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Thanks all!

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

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?

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

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.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Sure, here are pics of the wheels. Thanks!

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

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.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

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?

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Thanks for posting those KC. They are the 15x7" wheels and that should be stamped somewhere on that wheel. You can measure from one nub to the other to determine hubcap size.
Here is a pic I found of a 16x5; you can see the wider gap between the rim and the center.
I just discovered they are 16x5's
https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/141836918294

The 15x7's are always a great find, they do make the taller tires for them and they allow use of disc brakes.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

That blue wheel looks to be 16.5" hard to see on my phone. Same as this?

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

They could be. I definitely know the tire size is 7.5-16; I zoomed in to verify.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Those would be 16" wheels then.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Well I ended up picking up the rims. I figure I can use them until I find a set of 16's. Plus, couldn't beat the price of 5 for $80. Thanks!!

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Congratulations, that's a great buy!

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Funky61, quick question, do you know if the 16 x 5.5" rims can be used with disc brakes? I assume they can since they were used in the 70s. Thanks!

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Yes they should work with disc brakes. Just make sure the wheel has the 4 nubs.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Thank you! I just got a source on a few here in Denver. If he has 4, I will buy them. I guess I will clean up the 15's I bought yesterday and sell them.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Yes they should work with disc brakes. Just make sure the wheel has the 4 nubs.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Hey all,

I found a set of (4) 16" 6 lug wheels with clips for hubcaps. I think they are GM wheels from 50s or 60s. Not sure of the width, probably 5 or 5.5". The old tires on them are 6.5 - 16. Question, does anyone know if these will work with front disc brakes? Also, what size caps would work with these wheels? Here is a pic.

Thank you!

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

If they are cheap, buy them and worry about that later. You mean an aftermarket disc brake kit or what? The cap sizes are about 8" = 1/2T, larger= 3/4T. Measure the diameter of cap hole.

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Those blue wheels in post # 21 Ken are most likely late 40s early 50s with the SIX clips . Usually they are 4 1/2 wide. They have the correct rim profile but will be a different offset and width than the late 50s early 60s 3 clip 16x5 . They will bolt on but Ive never tried them over disc brakes. Personally I wouldn't waste the money. Your 1965 would have come factory with either 15 or 16 with nubs or 17.5 with clips. Im doing a 1966 GMC 4x4 panel that will have the 17.5s back in place.
Heres a 1963 with 17.5s.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...20-%20Copy.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...4/IMG_2887.jpg

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

Thin wheels with Mil tires looks really boss on a 4X4. (NDT or not)
https://www.cokertire.com/700-16-fir...FUtNfgodTOUBgQ

You know, the "Napco Look"....good way to roll.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5LYTkRjdno

Re: 4x4 Wheels
 

I agree! I sure wish I could find a Napco! One of the best looking 4x4s ever! That video is really cool, especially being from Colorado! I am digging those 17.5's too!! I will probably pass on those 16's I found on Craigslist, even though I can get all 4 for around $100. Thanks!!