In need of new wheels and tires on my '65 C10

So, I went to take my date to the coffee shop this morning only to discover a flat rear passenger side tire on my 65' C10 stepside. The tires are starting to dry rot, and I've never been happy with the wheels (steel/chrome/rust not period at all). I'd like to put a set of regular old steel wheels (painted black or white) and some whitewalls on it instead of fixing the flat and risking another issue with the tires and continued unhappiness with the wheels.

What I'm looking for is some advise on where to find these things. I'm new to the old truck scene and have had some difficulty in finding what I'm looking for. I did a search in google and on the HAMB, with very limited success.

Thanks in advance for insight, advise.

-Screws

 

There are several wheel companies out there, like Wheel Smith, that can hook you up with a set of steelies. If you have any swap meets near you, I would recommend that, or maybe an old junk yard around you. You could always check Epay.

 

the steel wheels used on full size Blazers and Suburbans thru 1991 will fit your truck. might have to grind off the rivet heads from the front hubs if it has not been done yet. Swap meets, used tire/wheel stores, friends are all good places to find wheels.

I could not bring myself to pay new wheel prices for steel 6 lug chevy truck wheels, there are too many around that you can get cheap/free if you search them out.

 

You'll find more info about your truck then you can shake a stick at over on www.67-72chevytrucks.com ( yes they have a forum for 60-66 gm trucks too).

X2 on the 4x4 wheels. That's a pretty common swap if you're still running the 6 lug parts.

 

Thanks Folks for the replies.... I totally agree with taking some time and finding a set that have already served; The rest of my truck has, and it shows (thankfully). I did 3 of the 4 Crazy Ray's junk yards in the Baltimore area over the past month, and I wish I had knew about the Blazer/ Suburban match up- there were a ton of those laying around!

Again, thanks for the wheel advise- it aims me in a better/ right direction.

As far as tires are concerned, any suggestions there? Would, say, Sears have something similar to what I'd need?

Thanks again,

Screws

 

Suggest not putting whitewalls on a 1965 pickup, they'd look rather out of place.

If you think shopping at Sears is a good idea, they probably have something that will fit.

 

Stockton Wheel has a nice steel rim called "Milner Special". I picked up a pair for my 59 pickup, but the non-chrome version.

I'm planning to get the chrome versions later, with a set of Pro Trac bias tires from Coker

 

whitewalls to go with the black/white scheme.... I appreciate the history lesson... I think what you are getting at is whitewalls are not period or truck... and maybe I should heed that advise despite my vision. ..

So far as the Sears thing goes, I could get my local shop (that works on my commuter rig- 30-50 miles one way to whatever firehouse they need me at on any given day) to order them I guess. . .. Look, I just have no flippin' clue on where to order tires for this beast. I've ordered (so far) 6 sets of motorcycle tires, all from the same person (a friend that has a parts unlimited account). Other than the 66' LeSabre (my first car at age 16), I've never worried about old car tires So, other than Sears, or my local guy, is there a clearinghouse for period (=old fitting) tires that might be of help?

Thanks again; I'm learning!

-Screws

 

I don't know about "period" tires, I run radials because they work good and last a long time. I guess putting wide whites on everything "old" is a new fad, I don't get it, but if you do then go for it! Bias ply whitewalls are pretty expensive, and I know from being around in the 70s that bias ply tires generally last about 1/3 as long as radials.

 

I posted an ad under the "wanted" section right here on the HAMB and a couple of super nice guys gave me a great deal on the wheels for my 64. try it. That's what this site is all about. Cool people!

 

Right on! Definitely what the HAMB seems to be about. The folks on here, between sound advise and a few sales of parts have saved me a tremendous amount of time and money.

For that, I'm truly appreciative and humbled.

Thanks again for the advise folks.

 

Just find a local salvage yard and get a set of stock wheels from a C-10, and paint em up. Any Chevrolet/GMC Truck or SUV 6-lug wheel will fit, but the early model 15" and 16" steelies look best in my opinion.

 

Are you still 6 lug or 5 lug? Like someone said, the junkyard is probably the best place for wheels. For tires, I think skinny whitewall radials look very period correct on these trucks. Skinny whites and black wheels will look great. Check out your yellow pages under tires. That's ultra traditional, lol. Call every tire place and get a quote. My tires on my '63 are 235/70/15 and fill up the wheel wells really nice. Although, there are lots of smaller sizes you can run too.

Here's what the 235's look like...


Good luck and let's see some pics when you get the wheels and tires.

 

Right on Brother! The truck looks RAD! That tire size sounds like it will do the trick. My wheels are 6-bolt- I'll re-hit the junkyards tomorrow- and check the good 'ol yeller pages.

 

couldn't agree more... I def like what Terd is runnin' on his. . .

 

Stay away from the late model truck 6 lug stuff. You need any 2wd GM truck wheels up through 70 model year or 4x4 up through the 87 model year. The 88 and newer trucks stuff has weird offset that will look funny under your truck.

 

I have a few of them they are by far the easiest wheel in creation to find. About any GM 6 lug or even heaven forbid a Toyota 6 lug wheel will fit. Just go to the local junk yard.

 

I'm with Squirrel, I think the whitewalls would look out of place on your truck. As for which tires, whatever you want, just because it's old doesn't mean it needs to be something different. I would not even consider bias plys because of their poor handling characteristis, and the fact that they'll have fenders around them...I yanked the ones from my '60 F100 in favor of some Dunlop SP 60s (radials) and it completely changed the handling dynamics of the truck for the better. Also, there's another thread now talking about tire life of bias plys...I never realized it but it doesn't look like they last much longer than 10,000 miles.(?) I might be wrong...

For the wheels, definitely get on Craigslist, too. Find the local pages, go under "Auto Parts," and do a search for "6 Lug Wheels" and if too many pop up, change it to GM or Chevy Wheels, etc. I was doing this for my late model and it was showing me EVERY WHEEL, regardless of lug count, but it's easy to weed through.

On a side note, what's the difference between 2WD and 4WD wheels? I've always seen it in classified ads but don't know how they'd be different. Rim diameter? Taller on the 4x4s?

 

This is the best combo i found i tried several different styles of wheels but ended up wasting money and time and just went back to this. The last pic is just one combo i tried you can see it just did not look right

 

blazer wheels and and tires scored on craigslist for 65 bucks cant go wrong with that

 

The only problem with the rally wheel is they are two wide and you cant lower the front because they are 8 inches wide

 

1" whitewalls shaved to 2". 6 lugs, 15X8, but want to get 15X7's sometime. 215/75 15s. Hope this helps.

 

Also, go check out the "Official 60-66 Chevy C-10 Picture Thread" here on the HAMB. TONS of pics of these trucks.

 

Hey man,

Saw quite a few that would work at the Crazy Ray's on Rt.40 near Joppatown. I'm looking for my truck, too, so I have been keeping an eye out. Stay clear of EZ Pickins in Middle River- you won't find anything.

I hear that the Crazy Ray's in Mount Airy has a bunch of stuff for these trucks, but I have not been able to get there.

You may also want to try Ed Lucke in PA. It's a distance, but he has a ton of really cool stuff. Number is 717-235-2866.

Good luck.

 

This thread is perfect in it's timing. I just bought a 66 recently and was considering different wheels for it.

Maybe one of you guys can answer a couple of questions for me.

Does anybody know the stock wheel and tire size that came on these trucks?

The one I just bought has 225/70 15 it's the original wheels but new tires. Wheels look to be about 6 inches wide? Is that corect?

Did they make a factory steel wheel in an 8 inch version?

I like the look of them but they look a little narrow to me they sit kind of far back in the fender.

 

Your original wheels are indeed 15x6. There are a few 6 lug 8 inch wheels out there that take the original hubcaps. They came on military CUCV Blazers from the 80s. Very rare.

By far, the easiest and cheapest approach is to get 8 inch wide wheels is to get a set of 6 lug rally wheels off of a later model 4x4 Blazer, Truck, etc. Anything from the 70s or 80s. They set out in the fenderwells very nice and fatten up the look of the truck. Only caveat is that if you lower it a bunch in the front they will rub the fender lips.

 

Thanks! I have a pair of 8 inch 6 lug ralley wheels but was hoping I could find an 8 inch wheel that I can use the hubcaps with. I'm not planing on lowering it any in the front so the rubbing shouldn't be an issue.

The truck I have is original and it's to nice to do much to. I want to keep it original looking but just fill up some of the space in the front fenders.

It has a brand new set of 225/70 15 tires. I hate to not get some use out of them but they almost look like they are to skinny for an 8 inch wheel.

Anybody have any expeience with 225/70 tires on a 8 inch wheel? Do they look ok or will the 8 inch wheel pull the sidewall out to far and make it look weird?

 

I don't mean to discourage you on the 8 inch wide six lug hubcap wheels. I'm on a dedicated truck board too, and those wheels are very sought after. Guys pay big bucks for them when a set comes up for sale.

It's much easier to do the six lug 4x4 rally if you can dig the center cap and beauty ring look they offer.

 

I know what you're saying. I actually like the 8 iinch ralley look just not for this particular truck.

 

I thought tradition ended in 1964? Huh.
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