step side rear tire size rim width - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

whatnow123 · 12-24-2006, 12:24 AM

Can the step side people help out here? I'm wondering what size tire I can fit in the rear of my truck. I pulled off my bed today because I found the right bed for my truck (came with a 66 step side, didn't know the truck well enough to know when I bought it, but now I've got a 68 bed). Anyway, there seems to be quite a bit of room in there with the bed off.

How wide a tire can I run with a stock short bed?

I'm also now thinking of shortening the rear axle a couple of inches, converting to a 5 lug and "mini tub" the bed. Nothing pro street or anything, just widening the wheel well a couple of inches. Is there a shorter axle that I can swap in there or should I just narrow what I have? Truck 12 bolt, (not sure if I should waste the money on this rear end or not or if there is a more cost effective way?)

Bob Moore · 12-24-2006, 01:01 PM

The 71-72 five lug rearends are a little bit narrower than the six lug ones. About 2 inches or so. Kill 2 birds at the same time - convert to 5 lug and get a narrower axle at the same time.

whatnow123 · 12-24-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Moore

The 71-72 five lug rearends are a little bit narrower than the six lug ones. About 2 inches or so. Kill 2 birds at the same time - convert to 5 lug and get a narrower axle at the same time.

I thought this was the opposite? The earlier rear ends were narrower than the 5 lugs?

dcpetty · 12-24-2006, 02:01 PM

I am running 17x8 w/ 4.5 bs and a 275/55/17 tire. I have about 1 1/2" clearance to the bedside

**Palf70Step** · 12-24-2006, 03:24 PM

the 69 and earlier 6 lugs are about 1 and 1/2 " narrower. The newer 5 lug axles will permit you to run a bit more backspacing and still not rub.

Bob Moore · 12-24-2006, 08:55 PM

My bad. I hope I didn't cause any problems. I always thought the newer were narrower.

**Palf70Step** · 12-24-2006, 09:31 PM

No biggie Bob. Merry Christmas, let's talk trucks!!!

smbrouss70 · 12-24-2006, 09:56 PM

According to an e-mail from XXL when I asked about his wheels, he said that he used a 17x8 with 5" backspacing all the way around wearing 255/50-17's. He also noted that on the back he used a 5/16" spacer, and that the 5/16" was critical. Keep in mind that this is with airbags that allow the tire to fully tuck into the stepside fender. Also I believe that he is using an axle from a 71 or 72, which is wider than the earlier years. Maybe he will chime in here and confirm what I've said.

Trey` · 12-27-2006, 11:08 PM

I have the same question, I have a 70 and it has the 6 lug rear end. Found some 18x8.5 with 5.5 inch of back spacing and was'nt sure they would fit or look alright and have not gotten a chance to measure yet.

kbs71 · 12-28-2006, 01:31 AM

Not a step side but I'm running the stock rally 15" X 10" with P295/60/15 on them and I got about 1 1/2" on the outside and 2" inside.

68Stepbed · 12-28-2006, 01:50 PM

Here is my truck with 275/60/15's on an 8" rim with 4.25" bs. The older pic is with 275/60/17's on 17x9.5 rims with 5.5" bs. The 17's rubbed on the inside of the bed with the deep backspacing. A smaller tire or 5" bs would've fixed the problem.

12-24-2006, 12:24 AM	#1
whatnow123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 835	step side rear tire size rim width Can the step side people help out here? I'm wondering what size tire I can fit in the rear of my truck. I pulled off my bed today because I found the right bed for my truck (came with a 66 step side, didn't know the truck well enough to know when I bought it, but now I've got a 68 bed). Anyway, there seems to be quite a bit of room in there with the bed off. How wide a tire can I run with a stock short bed? I'm also now thinking of shortening the rear axle a couple of inches, converting to a 5 lug and "mini tub" the bed. Nothing pro street or anything, just widening the wheel well a couple of inches. Is there a shorter axle that I can swap in there or should I just narrow what I have? Truck 12 bolt, (not sure if I should waste the money on this rear end or not or if there is a more cost effective way?) Last edited by whatnow123; 12-24-2006 at 12:25 AM.

12-24-2006, 01:01 PM	#2
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: step side rear tire size rim width The 71-72 five lug rearends are a little bit narrower than the six lug ones. About 2 inches or so. Kill 2 birds at the same time - convert to 5 lug and get a narrower axle at the same time. __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

12-24-2006, 02:01 PM	#4
dcpetty Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LaVergne,TN Posts: 82	Re: step side rear tire size rim width I am running 17x8 w/ 4.5 bs and a 275/55/17 tire. I have about 1 1/2" clearance to the bedside Attached Images

12-24-2006, 03:24 PM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,083	Re: step side rear tire size rim width the 69 and earlier 6 lugs are about 1 and 1/2 " narrower. The newer 5 lug axles will permit you to run a bit more backspacing and still not rub. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 12-24-2006 at 03:25 PM.

12-24-2006, 08:55 PM	#6
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: step side rear tire size rim width My bad. I hope I didn't cause any problems. I always thought the newer were narrower. __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

12-24-2006, 09:31 PM	#7
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,083	Re: step side rear tire size rim width No biggie Bob. Merry Christmas, let's talk trucks!!! __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

12-24-2006, 09:56 PM	#8
smbrouss70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rayne, LA Posts: 2,784	Re: step side rear tire size rim width According to an e-mail from XXL when I asked about his wheels, he said that he used a 17x8 with 5" backspacing all the way around wearing 255/50-17's. He also noted that on the back he used a 5/16" spacer, and that the 5/16" was critical. Keep in mind that this is with airbags that allow the tire to fully tuck into the stepside fender. Also I believe that he is using an axle from a 71 or 72, which is wider than the earlier years. Maybe he will chime in here and confirm what I've said. __________________ Steven "If dogs don't go to heaven, when I die I want to go wherever they went." -- Will Rogers R.I.P. Oscar R.I.P. Ratchet 1967 Pontiac GTO - Dad was the Original Owner 1970 Chevy 2wd SWB "Oscar's Truck" 1970 Chevy 2wd Blazer "Ratchet's Blazer" 2013 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison Z71 LTZ "Brown Sugar" 2017 Chevy Suburban "BDB" 2020 Chevy Blazer Premier "Foxy" Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Shop Build

12-27-2006, 11:08 PM	#9
Trey` Active Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cooks Point,Texas Posts: 238	Re: step side rear tire size rim width I have the same question, I have a 70 and it has the 6 lug rear end. Found some 18x8.5 with 5.5 inch of back spacing and was'nt sure they would fit or look alright and have not gotten a chance to measure yet. __________________ '70 Chevy stepside, ECE discs & 4/6, '00 GMC ext. cab stepside, never ending project '07 GMC Crew Cab, 24's & 5/7 "We, the unwilling, led by the unquailified, have been doing the unbelievable for so long with so little, we now attempt, the impossible with nothing"

12-28-2006, 01:31 AM	#10
kbs71 71 rustless in texas Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 257	Re: step side rear tire size rim width Not a step side but I'm running the stock rally 15" X 10" with P295/60/15 on them and I got about 1 1/2" on the outside and 2" inside. __________________ "The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." "No one really listens to anyone else, and if you try it for a while you'll see why" 71 C-10 LWB presently in a perpetual state of disassembly '96 Toyota (my work car) '04 Mustang Convertable (wife's car & other money pit) Latest aquesition and why my trucks still in the garage covered with junk.. 2010 Aqua Blue metallic 6 speed Manual LS3 2SS/RS Camaro (I want one of these in my truck FAQ here VENDORS here SUPPORT THE BOARD here My second favorite SITE

12-28-2006, 01:50 PM	#11
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: step side rear tire size rim width Here is my truck with 275/60/15's on an 8" rim with 4.25" bs. The older pic is with 275/60/17's on 17x9.5 rims with 5.5" bs. The 17's rubbed on the inside of the bed with the deep backspacing. A smaller tire or 5" bs would've fixed the problem. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system Last edited by 68Stepbed; 10-04-2007 at 10:39 PM.



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