C30 - Dually Rear End & Wheels?

[ScottN795]

Does anyone have insight regarding the stock rear end / brake drums on a 62 1 ton rear end? Let me explain my question; My 62 C30 1-ton flatbed currently has 16" split rim wheels, and I was going to update to a one piece typical dually wheel. However, I can't get the center of the wheel to go over the brake drum, it lacks about a half inch of clearance to fit. This is only an issue on the back of the truck, the front fits no problem. I now have tried several different 16" and 16.5" wheels we had around our shop, and none of them fit. Every one of them will fit the 14 bolt 1 ton rear end my 74' 1 ton, but no go on the 62'. This is my first real experience with "early" 1 tons and never realized there were different sizes... I called a local truck wrecker and he said I was welcome to come down with a tape to see if anything he has will fit. I was just wondering if anyone has experience with this? Also what is the experience of the group suggest the gear ratio will be? The truck is a 235 / 4 speed. (I thought it was a 261, but was dissapointed when I ran the numbers to find out it's a 235 - although it does run great...)

Thanks in advance,
Scott

[MrBeast]

I would look around and see if the bearings for your rear end are the same as a 14 bolt or HO72 if they are the same part number you can swap hub assembly's off either axle onto yours.

[ScottN795]

Thanks for the suggestion! It's been difficult finding information on the earlier rear ends....

[Captainfab]

Is the issue the wheel hitting the brake drum, or is the hub hole in the wheel too small? The GM wheels have a smaller hube hole than the Ford and Dodge wheels.

You can use the hubs and brakes from a 10.5 14 bolt on the Eaton HO52/72 differentials. There is a thread, I believe in the Engine and Drivetrain section showing how it is done. As for gear ratio, your Eaton could have the 4.57 gears or the 5.13's. If you are in need of a higher gear ratio, I do have a 4.10 geared third member for sale in the '60-'66 classifieds.

[ScottN795]

Thanks Captain I will try and find that info in the engine / drivetrain section. Yeah the issue is the wheel hitting the drum, hub isn't an issue at all. Every 1 ton wheel I have fits the hub without issue. The inner portion of the old split rim 16' wheels is over an inch larger in diameter than each of the "normal" one piece wheels I have.

[Captainfab]

That is odd. It is usually the other way around. The older wheels won't fit the later model trucks. Your C30 must have some huge rear brakes. You might have to try and find some later model 17" C30 wheels. That or change the rear end to a 14 bolt or Dana 70.

Originally Posted by ScottN795

Thanks Captain I will try and find that info in the engine / drivetrain section. Yeah the issue is the wheel hitting the drum, hub isn't an issue at all. Every 1 ton wheel I have fits the hub without issue. The inner portion of the old split rim 16' wheels is over an inch larger in diameter than each of the "normal" one piece wheels I have.

[Billett]

My cousin has an old dually flatbed on his farm. I can go take some pics for you or if you need me to measure anything I can.
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[Sick66c30]

I have a '66 c300 flatbed with 18" three piece wheels. somw people call them widowmakers lol my dad calls them 'spokes'...claims back in the day if you had 'spokes' people envied you. but anyway, It seems that the bolt pattern is the same all the way up to '87? but my studs are only 1/2 dia.??? I would like to keep the 18" size wheel but not sure how easy it gona be to find a one piece wheel that size with those studs. might even consider a 17'' wheel but to tme the 16's just look like go-cart wheels on my truck with the huge fender wells. thanks for any input. I love this forum!

[Captainfab]

You will just need the correct lug nuts for the wheels you choose. If for some reason they are not available with a 1/2-20 thread, then you will have to change all of the wheel studs.

All the more reason to upgrade to front disc brakes and a Dana 70 or a 14 bolt with higher gears.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by Sick66c30

I have a '66 c300 flatbed with 18" three piece wheels. somw people call them widowmakers lol my dad calls them 'spokes'...claims back in the day if you had 'spokes' people envied you. but anyway, It seems that the bolt pattern is the same all the way up to '87? but my studs are only 1/2 dia.??? I would like to keep the 18" size wheel but not sure how easy it gona be to find a one piece wheel that size with those studs. might even consider a 17'' wheel but to tme the 16's just look like go-cart wheels on my truck with the huge fender wells. thanks for any input. I love this forum!

you can get 1/2" lug nuts that are larger externally. I bought them from a local automotive jobber for my C30
ron

[63 & 64 Bowties]

I had the exact same issue with my 69. I had a set of wheels from a 92 3500
I ended up using 1" or 1.5" spacers, I don't remember which, front and rear.
One bonus, it gave the truck a wider stance, which looked great. I know some are scared of spacers, and I understand that, but I hauled a lot of weight on this ole farm truck with no issues.

[Sick66c30]

ok thanks for the input. I was thinking the later models had larger wheel studs?? maybe not...I've got a friend with the 16's that i'm going to 'test fit' on my hubs. My front drums already have some type of spacer on them that I assume has to be removed to get drums turned or replaced? what's the latest model I use for a disk brake set-up?

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by Sick66c30

ok thanks for the input. I was thinking the later models had larger wheel studs??

They do. IIRC 1/2" to 9/16" but the spacers solve that issue.

[Captainfab]

If you're asking about upgrading to front disc brakes, you will need the entire front suspension from a '71-'86 C30 or a '87-'91 R30. And you may as well get the differential too so you have some decent gears and better parts availability.

Originally Posted by Sick66c30

ok thanks for the input. I was thinking the later models had larger wheel studs?? maybe not...I've got a friend with the 16's that i'm going to 'test fit' on my hubs. My front drums already have some type of spacer on them that I assume has to be removed to get drums turned or replaced? what's the latest model I use for a disk brake set-up?

[jtrichard]

Originally Posted by Sick66c30

ok thanks for the input. I was thinking the later models had larger wheel studs?? maybe not...I've got a friend with the 16's that i'm going to 'test fit' on my hubs. My front drums already have some type of spacer on them that I assume has to be removed to get drums turned or replaced? what's the latest model I use for a disk brake set-up?

thats not a spacer it is the standard front hub for the dual wheel set up

[Sick66c30]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

thats not a spacer it is the standard front hub for the dual wheel set up

sorry for the delayed response to the thread...all work and no play lately. So if I order new front hubs will they come with that "spacer" or will I have to remove this old one from the original hub??
And I've heard I can take the whole front end from a C30 up to an '86 model and slip it under my frame?? with the mild fabrication of drilling two holes??. Sounds to simple which scares me.

[Captainfab]

It is just that simple..... drill one hole on each side and elongate one hole on each side. If you want to keep your truck a dually, you will want the front suspension from a dually also.

Originally Posted by Captainfab

If you're asking about upgrading to front disc brakes, you will need the entire front suspension from a '71-'86 C30 or a '87-'91 R30. And you may as well get the differential too so you have some decent gears and better parts availability.

Originally Posted by Sick66c30

sorry for the delayed response to the thread...all work and no play lately. So if I order new front hubs will they come with that "spacer" or will I have to remove this old one from the original hub??
And I've heard I can take the whole front end from a C30 up to an '86 model and slip it under my frame?? with the mild fabrication of drilling two holes??. Sounds to simple which scares me.

[Sick66c30]

ok GREAT!! thanks guys. Not to sure what an R30 is but I can google that lol. I've driven this old truck to work the last two days and last night on the way home (11:30p) the carburetor catches fire when I make the turn on the street I live on...I can almost see the front porch! Thankfully all the burnt was the breather element and my one of my favorite hoodies...and the choke cable. So I figured I came out pretty lucky considering I got the p.o.s. edelbrock for $50. Just happy with the fact it made two trips to work with almost no issues.
Still trying to get my profile pic right side up.

[Captainfab]

The R series is the 2wd squarebody trucks and Suburbans that were still used from '87-'91 while the pickup body style changed in '88.

[Sick66c30]

does anyone know the measurement between the spring saddles on 73-86 one ton rear end?