Original 1960 Chevrolet Apache Pickup Wheels.

[Original60Apache]

Hi, I'm Nate and I am new to the forum. I am restoring a 60 Chevrolet Apache 10 as an original. I wanted to know what size rims were stock for 1960. I do know that it has the hub cap clips on it (as opposed to the 3 notches on the wheel to keep the hub caps on), but I am unsure what rim dimensions were stock. I believe that the wheels were the same from 57 to 60 on all trucks. It is for a 1/2 ton pickup (6 lug, 9 inch hub cap). I thought that the originals were 16s but I have also heard of 15s and 17.5s. Let me know what you think.

Thanks
Nate

[MusicMan70]

Welcome to the forum Original60Apache (Nate)!

I have a 61 GMC and it had a mix mash of 15" steel wheels; some with nubs and some with clips. I'm still putting a complete set together of the 3-clip wheels with the 4 nubs. Here are a few photos and the tire is a Yokohama
RY215, 29.4 x 7R15, Radial, 2,040 lbs. Maximum Load, blackwall.

I've not seen 17.5 6-lugs but I think they do exist. I also have a set of 16.5 x 6 6-lugs that fit as well, but they have the 3 nubs and do not use clips. I believe those are a Blazer or G10 application. Now just need my hubcaps painted.

[Original60Apache]

I'm not sure if I'm sending two messages but are the 4 outer nubs for trim rings on the clip style rims.
Thanks

Nate

[MusicMan70]

Yes on the double post(it happens) and no on the trim rings. Here is another link with that answer in post #4
"has the 4 nibs for the 1956 passenger car 15" wheel covers"

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=613031

[Original60Apache]

Those wheels look like exactly what I was thinking of. Do you know if they were original for 1960 in 16s? I have a different wheel on each drum for my pickup. I have one 16 that is on and fits the hub cap. I'm just not sure if 16s were correct for 1960 1/2 tons.

[Original60Apache]

I don't really think I want to put full wheel covers on it but I could still just run the caps like what you are doing. That helps quite a bit.
Thanks

Nate

[Original60Apache]

Are the 4 outer nubs for trim rings on the clip type rims?

Nate

[MusicMan70]

Another thread and doc info on wheel sizes in this thread too.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...ug+steel+wheel

[TJ's Chevy]

Just wanted to say....That's a sweet looking 60!

[Original60Apache]

Thanks TJs Chevy. My dad and I started the restoration in November of 2012. We will wrap it up soon. I wanted to build it as an original so that's what I have done so far (with a little of 50s hot rod features). I'm running a 235 with single Rochester, and dual exhaust with 30" glasspacks. I also have the original sm420 transmission and HO32 (3.90:1)rear end. One of the rare features is that on pickups from 60-62 is that they have dual master cylinder and a bellhousing with the slave on the passenger side (sure was a pain to find but it's worth keeping the truck original). Paint color is Grenadier Red which is correct for 60. Interior colors also correct with a two tone of charcoal and silver. My old spare tire fender was going to cost a bit to restore so I got a different one in decent shape. Problem is that there is no aftermarket company that produces short bed spare tire fenders. So I spent a lot of time on craigsist finding one and after several hours per day, I found it. So now I'm looking to see if 16s were correct for 1960 since I already have one that fits. Then I will paint them the same color as the truck and put on hub caps and trim rings.

Thanks

Nate

[60-66]

Hello Original60Apache and welcome to the group ! Love the 1960 truck. According to the 1960 Chevy truck Data book , 15s were standard but 16s were optional for your truck. The 15s like were posted above with the external nubs were a one year only rim from what I've seen , they most likely carried into 1961 for awhile. 57-59 wheels while three clip 15s have a different center hub. The 16s did not have that external nub for a full hubcap but are basically the same rim from roughly 1957-1961. They are very sought after by NAPCO and 4x4 owners .

[Original60Apache]

Thanks 60-66. So I need either 15s from 60-61ish or 16s from about 57-61? Considering that I already have one good and correct 16, should I just finish the set of 16s or go with a whole new set of 15s (right now I have no 15s)? I also would assume that the rim size would affect my speedometer.

Nate

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Original60Apache

Considering that I already have one good and correct 16, should I just finish the set of 16s or go with a whole new set of 15s (right now I have no 15s)?

I would stay with the 16" wheel and use it as a reference to match to. With a 3.90 ratio, you will probably want the tallest, ( say 215 85R 16 ) to keep the rpms down. The optional 16" is not as easy to find than the standard 15", but they are out there. It will require some leg work if you don't want to pay shipping.

[Original60Apache]

Sounds good. I'll go with the 16s then. Just out of curiosity, how much difference in rpms would there be between 15s and 16s?

[jdl71]

That would depend on the size of the tire, not the rim. You can find an online calculator for tire height and ratio that will give you rpm.