I picked up a 59 Apache that I plan on using as a driver project. It has stock suspension with a 235 and T5. Right now all four tires are different sizes, and I am getting ready to purchase new tires. I am trying to figure out what sizes to go with. Looking for suggestions from those who have already been through this. New wheels are in the works, so I am pretty flexible. Right now the chassis will remain stock, but the future includes disc brakes, dropped axle, and late rearend.
Sorry, it is a 3100 half ton. I believe it has stock wheels on it now, but I have not had time to see what size they are. I am going to buy some 15" pre 71 truck rallye wheels from Wheel Vintiques so width is flexible.
Just keep in mind that you have limited choices with the 6 lug wheels. And, if you go disc and late rear you'll most likely be going to 5 lug. I'm in the same boat, can't afford to make the axle swaps but I don't wanna buy two sets of new wheels or tires. Let us know which way you go..... H
This is how the truck looks now. A little rough around the edges, but it's just what I was looking for.
Thanks for the advice. I actually have bought a crossmember from Industrial Chassis and aquired all the parts to do the Dakota swap, but I'm just not sure if it will sit how I want it to sit. The only pictures I have seen of the Dakota suspension in a Apache, the trucks have been sitting pretty high. I will not do the Mustang II thing. I don't want it to sit like a bagged truck, just a nice rake and lower than stock. Back to the wheels, that's the delimma I'm in. I really don't want to buy six lug wheels if I'm gonna switch, but I wanna drive this thing right now! I figure i'll get the six lug wheels and new tires and if I switch in the future, I'll sell them to a H.A.M.B member and help them out...
With my Dakota kit installed and a tire, say a 225/70-15 on the front will put the top of your frame rail at 18" off the ground at axle centerline. Should be a few inches lower than where you are right now.
Here is my 58. I just bought this 4 months ago. I would like to lower the front a bit and the rear quite a bit. It has 275/60R15 on it right now. I have a friend in CO that has the same year as mine and he is running 50's on his. If you are planing on changing out to different lugs then I would just run what you have till you do that, or pick up some cheap used rims and tires. Save the money for the upgrades.
G-78 15 2 3/4 www on the rear depending on how low you go you can run em in the front too.if you go as low as i am you can run 5.60 in the front on 15 x5 wheels. 15 x 6 for the rear.
Heres a picture of my 58 I sold it a year ago to a guy in NorCal it had 275x60 rear 10"x 15" wheels, and 205x 60 front 8"x15" camaro front subframe and 4 link rear.
For good cheap 6 lug wheels, find a set of 4x4 rally wheels off of a 73-87 Blazer or 4x4 pickup. They are 6 lug and 8 inch width.
Steve, I will end up using your crossmember, just not sure if it will be on this truck or not. Really happy when it came. is that with dropped spindles or stock?
could you try to get a better picture of the wheels that are on the truck now? I can't tell what they are....point being that if they are original, they're pretty skinny, but if they're later model wheels then they might be wide enough to use. It's pretty easy to spot them if you know what to look for, but not easy to explain it.
Calm down with the tire /wheel swap, even low buck new tires are expensive once you pay for balancing, etc. I like input from Poltax and Antique Engine. Get some used tires for now if you must change things. You will not be happy with look till you put a lower suspension on it. Just yank the mufflers off and have fun.
Squirrel, to be honest, I didn't even look at the wheels real close to see if the are the original style. I assume you are referring to the wheels that have the metal clips for hubcaps? I brought the truck home on a trailer, put it in a friends wharehouse, and due to work, haven't been able to do anything with it since. I have some days off this coming week and plan on pressure washing it, checking the brakes, changing the oil and filter, etc.
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