Other Wheel Options for Early Chevrolet 1.5 ton Trucks...

[Philippe Jeanneau]

As many of you may be aware, I have been working with my good friend Robert Carriere on different wheel options to fit our WA type Chevrolet Trucks... There has also been other help and input from England to New Zealand, and I finally have something concrete that I can use in building my truck... I have finished the (template) mock up and finally been able to purchase the Goodyear R-3 tires; although (not the 10.50 -16/NLA) they're the closest thing I could get my hands on in terms of a war-time looking tire in the 9.50-16 size for a desert truck...

The next step will be the widening of the fenders which will be a challenge also... I have them marked to represent how much will be added (11cm) as well as the location of the cut. I do still have to trace the bottom which will be tricky, but I am afraid I am at the point of no return with this one and only hope for the best outcome. Any ideas or suggestions are always welcome, Thank you.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/138508...posted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138508...posted-public/

[Bob Carriere]

Is there a big difference in the rolling circumference of the sand tire versus the 20 inch tires.......

Cheers

[Philippe Jeanneau]

The 9.50-16" R-3's are 30-1/2" tall... The old 6.25-20" are 32-3/4" tall... As for the imprint or track, the new rear single tire sits about 5-1/2" from the outside edge of the original inside tire, but still within the footing of the original dual wheels on the outside... At the front, the new tire sits about 2-1/2" from the outside edge of the original tire... Best I could do with the current front axle/hub and brake drum configuration. In the end the backspaces came up to 5-1/4" up front and 2 -15/16" in the rear.

[Philippe Jeanneau]

Finally I got the wheels on the truck... Despite nor being 10.50-16, I think that they look great... I am very happy with the result. The next thing to tackle are the additional front hub studs...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/138508...h/46938977014/

[Philippe Jeanneau]

The work continues on the truck with some small body repairs needed as well as adding the following:

1- Sand mat brackets

2- Fuel, oil, and water cans (2 Gal/Source?) with holder...

3- Engine overflow coolant tank

4- Spare tire bracket

If anyone has specific details/measurements on these it would be greatly appreciated... Thank you.

[Andrew H.]

The truck looks great.We can get that type of tyre in NZ but here they are agricultural tyres and only rated for 30mph. Those 2 gallon POW cans are readily available in NZ at $NZ30-50 each (Google "Trademe NZ"). Once you have got the cans you also have the dimensions of the can-holder. As for the sand mat brackets, I think most people just scale them off the WW2 photos - thats what we did anyway.