Lets talk about wide 20s
 

This post pertains to fitment on a 73-87, but I will use some 67-72s for comparison too. I want to explore the options of wide rear tires without massive modifications. PLEASE do not talk about tubbing for 24s here.

I have been considering new wheels and tires for a long time, and the itch has struck again. If I dont have another cash emergency that drains my fun money, I am back on a mission to find a fresh tire/wheel combo.

After considering the many variables and what it takes to make 22's fit to my satisfaction, I realize I will have to mod the inner fenders in front to make them fit properly and still run fender liners. Combine that with the fact that they dont make a wide 22 for the rear, and I have just about given up on running 22's. I do NOT want to run staggered wheel sizes.

Lets take a look at whats available for the rear without going to a 30 series tire. Sorry gang, but I like some meat on the sidewall. What I have been able to ascertain is the 335/35/20 would be an ideal size, but its extremely limited availability and price almost rule it out. That leaves the 315/35/20 with decent availability, but not much wider than the 295/40/20 I am currently running.

I cant believe that narrows the options down to an over priced 335/35/20 or the Mickey Thompson 295/15/20. The M/T tire is available at a fair price, but currently M/T does not offer a matching 20" front tire.

Whos got some wide 20s, and what did you do to make them fit? Narrowed axle? Stretched tubs? Trimmed lip? Pics are golden too.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1349567621

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1349567621

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Ken,... I assume you are talking about running a 12" wide wheel on the back?
My opinion,... only a 335 looks right on a 12.
305's and 315's look stretched to me.
Personally I would run a 20x10 or 22x10 with a small backspacing and narrow the rearend.
That get's you a bigger lip on the back wheel, but doesn't require any wheel tub mods.
(I would run a 3.5"-4" BS on a 10" wheel)
It will all depend on how much you can narrow the rearend without getting into your RideTech 4-link.
Then you can run a 305 tire if you want a meatier look.

I like the tire sizes you are running now.

My Belair has a 20x10 (with a 4.25" BS)
Just right, in my opinion.
Not too much, not too little,...

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I'm glad you replied Keith. It seems like every search I did looking for options led back to a few posts that you had commented in with great info. I am looking at a couple of different style wheels that are available in a 20x10, 20x10.5 or 20x12 . I know a 20x12 will work with stock leafs, so I will assume it will work with the RideTech 4 link.

I like the 295/40/20 that I have now, but i would LOVE some extra meat in the rear. I'm not looking for the old Pro Street style, just want some wide rubber under it. It really looks like the simplest option is the M/T 29/15/20 out back, and a General G-max 245 40 20 up front. Thats what classicchev has on his Blazer and the tread matches pretty close.

http://www.focusst.org/forum/attachm...psd7c3a62d.jpghttp://static.summitracing.com/globa...-6626_lf_w.jpg

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I think that combo is what you need brother ( MT/General G-max). DA the ID/brand tag off the sidewall & roll.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Scoti you got ESPN? Thats exactly what I had in mind.:metal:

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Ken,... Mickey Thompson recommends a 13"-14" rim width. Is that the plan?

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

12" max or he's cutting the bed floor.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

If you want a tool to play with get a precys wheelrite,Its like 80 bucks and wheel you test fit any wheel and tire combo with out buying/borrowing a wheel.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Keith, I see that they recommend 13" to 14" wide, but I have seen enough mounted on 12" to feel it fits just fine.

The bed floor is the limiting factor here. I know a wider stock tub wouldn't look bad, but I am trying to avoid that option. I still have not given up on the 335/35/20 option either.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I know you said no small tires but figured I'd share some piks of mine since I was working on
it all day getting it ready for its c notch and qa1 coilovers on mine it's a 20x12 with 345/25/20 toyos on it i personally think for a 12 in. Wide wheel to look good you need at least a 325 or wider tire cause I believe a 315 looks streched but here's some piks so you can get an idea of how wide they are good luck on your pick
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...psuyc6twt2.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...psbdyptplw.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...psd5hewjta.jpg

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I love the width of your tires, but not the sidewall. I am very OCD about things being proportional and uniform. IMO the 35 series is pushing the limit of what looks proportional for a truck.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I spent a lot more time searching the Web last night. It seems that they are no longer making the 335/35/20s. The 315/35/20 specs out to be shorter then the 295/40/20 for minimal gain in width. That leaves me with two options viable for my application.

I can go 295/40/20 on a 20x10 or the M/T 29/15/20 on a 20x12. I looked again at my clearance and I might have issues with the bag mounts 😕 . They actually make a couple of the styles in a 20x10.5 I talked with Scoti and he feels the 295 would not look stretched. I need to find some good side views of 295 on 10s to feel comfortable that the 10.5 will work. 😩

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I thought you were set on a 12 in wide wheel if that's the case I would run a 20x10 or Watever on a 295 with maybe like 4in backspace here's a pik of my ss clone on 24x10 in the rear with a 4in backspace you still get a decent size lip a boy 6in moreless
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...psc2cfffd7.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...psda9bca7c.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1d1d685d.jpg

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I'm not set on anything low69chevy, I am simply exploring options. I "want" a wide tire out back. However, I must decide how badly I want it and what I am willing to do to get it. Modding the bed floor and running a wider tub is not major. Redesigning the bag mounts is a whole different deal. I am capable, just not sure if I am willing.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I'm setting my 77 up to run a 20x10 with a 315/30-20 on all 4 corners. I'll post some pictures when I get home tonight.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

While the 315's can be put on a 10" wheel, it will not achieve the look N2TRUX is trying for. A 295mm is the widest I would do. While the width of the 315 is technically wider, it won't look as good as a 295mm would.

315's need 11" wheels to have squared (non- pinched) sidewalls. 315mm on 11" wheels (5.5"bs) should work (for N2TRUX) if the slightly shorter rear height is acceptable. That stuffs the well as much as possible w/o having to make other changes.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Thats a pretty general assumption, as you can get tires in the same size and quite significantly different sizes.. The Pirelli P-zeros im running can be had in 3 different section and tread widths for the same size.
http://s5.postimg.org/qqtskr5ef/IMAG1855.jpg
http://s5.postimg.org/kaktunwuv/IMAG1851.jpg
http://s5.postimg.org/3k9g5byfr/IMAG1848.jpg
http://s5.postimg.org/4jv5nao7r/IMAG1850.jpg

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Not sure where this was directed but zero assumptions on my end. Yes, there are other widths available. Find him a 315mm tire that's 29.25" tall (same height as what's currently on his truck). The 305/30 you referenced is 2" shorter.

He & I have discussed this more than once. He wants/needs overall height, sidewall height, & symmetry (balance) w/the front set-up. Hard to find that balance, especially in matching tread.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I miss read your last post.. my bad.. i went back through this post and seen where he was going.. i read through it too fast the first time.
With the 315's you could do a 40 series on a 20 and be at about 29.9 ish.. and a 35 series drops down to about 28.7.. that mathmatical, you would need to actually measure a set to get close his size.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I know there's a 315/40-19 (Ford GT-40 OE rears) but have not seen a 315/40-20.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Dont think they do either... I was just doing the calculations.. well that wasnt any help now was it...

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

LoL.... Sometimes you never know where your answer can come from. N2TRUX & N2Billet call me the "numbers" guy but nobody knows everything.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

He never said he wanted more lip, he wanted a wider tire. Getting a 10" wheel with minimum backspacing for more lip doesnt solve his want for more tire!

Im planning on 20x15s in the rear of a square, the closest match to the MTs I have found is the Toyo Proxes STII. Planning on running a 255/40/20 up front and the 29x18.00R20 in the rear. The two side by side are really similar take a look at them when you got a chance.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

I guess I should have said i plan to run a narrowed axle too. I'm not going for a massive deep lip, but I will have some depth because once again it looks proportional.

While I agree that the Proxy STII does look similiar to the M/T tread, I feel the General G Max looks much closer.

http://toyotires-1524598101.netdna-s...?itok=NYThYdnnhttp://www.focusst.org/forum/attachm...psd7c3a62d.jpghttp://static.summitracing.com/globa...-6626_lf_w.jpg

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Trying to post from my phone so bear with me. For discussion purposes, here's a absolutely beautiful example of what a 295/40/20 looks like on a 20x10 wheel. This looks excellent this, but I want a more width. I feel the sidewall height is spot on, with proper proportions.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Here's an example of a 315/35/20 on a 20x12 rim. The stance on this truck is tuned perfectly to the tire size. I do feel that the tire looks to be a bit stretched on a 20x12. I feel that the 20x10.5 I am looking at might be about right.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Since we are talking squarebody here's another example of a 295/40/20 on a 20x10. I feel it has a fantastic stance and great proportions, I just want a bit more width.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Yep the 295/40/20 is the absolute perfect example of tire hieght on these trucks! Which is why I personally chose the 29" MT tire, its practically the same height just wider.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

This truck was in truckin mag around 2010 I believe, he has the 18" wide tire but its still the 29" tall MT

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

That's an old picture of Jose Pena's truck, Black Widow".
(from Drops R Us fame)
It now runs 24x15's all the time.
Lots of rear suspension mods.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Im liking this since I too plan to do a wheel change with same issue no alterations just using back spacing and width........but would like to see more squarebodies for the practical application......but still great info.........

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Yep! I had to dig deep for those older pictures!

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Subscribed.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Who makes the wheel on the black 67-72 chevy truck? Can you get different backspaces? What sizes are available?

Wade

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

3Rwade those are American Racing VN 327 Rally. They are available in several sizes,widths, and backspace. Those are 20x10 in front and 20x12 in back.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Ken I ran the Mickey Thompson 31x16's on my 12" rims on my gold 68 with no problem. I had a 7" backspacing on the rear wheels and a 5" backspacing on the front and I think they looked propostional. I'm running a 295/45/20 (30.5" tall) on the back of my green PB truck. The fronts are 255/40/20 (28" tall). I don't like running rubber bands either and I like the Big/Little look.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Thanks for sharing Hart_Rod. Its good to know that the 12s will clear on the 67-72s with no issues. My nemesis "might" be the RideTech 4 link mounts the bag outboard, so I need to verify that a 20x12 will clear.

I am currently researching 315/35/20's that have a matching front in a 245/40/20 or 255/40/20. What I am finding is that there is a huge variance in the profile of the tires between brand, and series. It seems the taller 315's are narrow, and the wider 315's are short. I'm still trying to find the right combo.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

As expected, the advertised size has nothing to do with the actual size of a tire. I have found it almost impossible to locate pictures of a specific brand, series, and size mounted on different width wheels to compare. I have resorted to finding unmounted pics to get some sort of visual perspective on what various tires will work.

Heres a perfect example of what I am up against. The truck has a Michelin Pilot Super Sport 315/35/20 on a 20x12 and the Camaro has a Nitto Motivo 335/35/20 on a 20x11. Of course the 20x12 should make the tire look wider, but it shouldnt be an insane difference. Clearly the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a much bigger tire all around.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1434727955
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1434727955

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

That tire on the Camaro looks nothing like a 335 to me, much less on an 11" wheel. You would think a 335 would have a lot more sidewall bulge or look 'pinched' on an 11" wide wheel. I'm running BFG KDW 335/30/18's on 18x12's on my '69 C10 and they look WAY wider than whats on that Camaro.

Re: Lets talk about wide 20s
 

Thats my point Bosshog69. It's a huge frustration to research a brand, series, and size to fit my criteria of front and rear size only to find xyz brand or series runs very narrow, or short compared to the advertised dimensions.

I tried calling www.discounttiredirect.com hoping to get a a sales rep with hands on knowledge, but that failed too. I will find my answer, but it won't come easy.