C20 Tire Selection

[dagnabbitt]

So I recently pulled a 1968 C20 out of a field - build thread coming soon - and I need to make a decision on tires. It had some non-original split rims on it (I assume they were non original since they were 17" and not the 16.5s that were on the SPID), and tube tires that might actually pre-date the truck itself.

Fortunately I knew from poring over this site that I could put F*rd rims on it, and one day I realized that I had a friend with a bunch of E250 vans. So I got a set of from him and they of course fit great! Again without this site as a resource it would never ever occur to me that they would fit.

They are a 16x7 rim, any thoughts on tire size? I like the tall skinny look but a 7 inch rim is actually pretty wide compared to original, and I want something that suits the rims as much as it suits the truck: I don't like it when the tires are noticeably crammed or stretched onto a wheel. Would 235 85 16s look good on this rim, or should I go with something wider, like a 265 70 16?

If someone could flip my pics I would appreciate it.

[burb71]

GREAT QUESTION
I'm interested to find out a good recommendation for this myself!

[dave6672]

Here's my C20 with 235/85/16's on it.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by dave6672

Here's my C20 with 235/85/16's on it.

That's the look I like too, nice truck.

What kind of rims are you using, ie are they Chev rims, and how wide do you think they are?

Hope I can find some nice deep dish hubcaps like your too.

[burb71]

I'm wondering if going to the more widely available 16-inch size wheel and tire and ditching the 16.5 from the factory.
What size tire will equate to around the same ride height to give a more accurate speedometer reading?

[chevmn]

Here is a set I have mounted using those same 16x7 Ford Accuride wheels, along with a set of stainless dog dish I restored (sort of hobby now, restoring those) which will eventually make their way to my C20. Tires are 265/70/16.

[dave6672]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

That's the look I like too, nice truck.

What kind of rims are you using, ie are they Chev rims, and how wide do you think they are?

Hope I can find some nice deep dish hubcaps like your too.

I got the rims at a local junkyard and are a mix, but are 16 x 6.5 if I remember correctly.

[rpmerf]

I had some 265/75R16 tires on my truck for a bit. Mismatched unevenly worn tires on mismatched rims. I thought they looked really good. The width matched the height better than the 235's I thought. Like others have said, almost the same diameter, but an inch wider. I wish I would had realized it when I bought my current set of tires, I would had gone with the 265s.

[Furno68C20]

FYI --If your going to do a front disc conversion the new spindles stick the tires our about 3/4" on both sides. I had tire rub on the inner fender when taking a sharp turn, which then i had to get smaller tires.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by Furno68C20

FYI --If your going to do a front disc conversion the new spindles stick the tires our about 3/4" on both sides. I had tire rub on the inner fender when taking a sharp turn, which then i had to get smaller tires.

I think I'm sticking with the drums but thanks I will keep that in mind.

[May70]

Originally Posted by Furno68C20

FYI --If your going to do a front disc conversion the new spindles stick the tires our about 3/4" on both sides. I had tire rub on the inner fender when taking a sharp turn, which then i had to get smaller tires.

What size tired rubbed Furno? Also 3/4 outside the fender well?? What disc conversion/spindles did you go with? THX

[Furno68C20]

Originally Posted by May70

What size tired rubbed Furno? Also 3/4 outside the fender well?? What disc conversion/spindles did you go with? THX

May70. I used the conversion kit from Brothers. I dont remember the tire size but they were BF goodwrench all terrains. Maybe 265/70R16? pretty big tires.

Check out this post - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528238

hope this helps

[burb71]

dagnabbitt
I hope you don't think I hijacked your thread, or took it in a different direction from your original post.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by burb71

dagnabbitt
I hope you don't think I hijacked your thread, or took it in a different direction from your original post.

No not at all, looks like it is a topic that is on more than a few people's minds.

Doing some research I am leaning towards 265 75 16s now: a size that I hadn't even considered when I started this thread. Using a tire chart and going by some the photos and member testamonials provided I think they will look good... and for some reason or another they tend to be the cheapest tire of the three or four options I was considering.

[burb71]

Thanks, good to know

[chevmn]

Here is a link to a magazine article where I got the idea on what I wanted to run (my wheels came of a early 90s Ford F250 from a local salvage yard for $20 each). There are simply very few good options for the 3/4 ton trucks when it comes to wheels. 16.5 tires are scarce now, expensive, and usually rated for heavy tow duty. I do not like any of the aftermarket wheels, and especially the ones from recent years (large diameter black aluminum wheels). This allows me to run a more common tire size, and the tires I currently have came off (believe it or not) a Toyota Tacoma which my wife drives, which are load range B tires, and should ride decent vs. the load range C, D, or E, many run...considering I do not plan on heavy towing or hauling. Only issue I have is keeping a set of restored hub caps as I keep selling the set I do for my own project, but I currently have a very nice, near NOS quality set set aside now for it.

Hope the owner of this truck does not mind, as I believe he is is a board member here...... One of my favorite builds....
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1969...et-c20-driven/

[NoStopN]

Just some stock GM wheels from a 2008 GMC. Tires are LT265/70/17.

[72c20customcamper]

Firestone transforce 265/75r16 on ford rims I bought from roadreadywheels.

[2 Stovebolts]

Trying to find the most correct looking wheel that was on my 67 K20, without split ring....Would like to keep with the tall skinny look...What are my options?

[Cali72K20]

These might be what you are looking for in a 1967 vintage look that are tall and skinny

https://www.outdoortire.com/product/...eless-7-50-16/

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Deestone-...SABEgI-OPD_BwE

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hankook-F...yABEgLktvD_BwE

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by Cali72K20

These might be what you are looking for in a 1967 vintage look that are tall and skinny

https://www.outdoortire.com/product/...eless-7-50-16/

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Deestone-...SABEgI-OPD_BwE

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hankook-F...yABEgLktvD_BwE

Those are some pretty cool tires, wonder if I can get them in Canada. It's illegal to drive on the highway with tubes where I live, so those outdoortire.com ones look to be the best option out of what you suggest. EDIT: Unfortunately outdoortire.com doesn't ship to Canada.

[Killer Bee]

if yer looking for tubeless bias ply farm skinnies, STA makes a few..

lug rears and highway tread fronts in companion sizes..

Coker, Summit, etc. sell them so should be able to find someone shipping up north..

here's a post of mine from a while back but they have been discussed at length around the board..

good luck!

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

STA, Specialty Tires of America [American Made] has the best selection and prices on farm skinnys I've found..

this is the brand Coker sells [in this tire type] for double the price, yes I was quoted

here's the last price quote I had from local tire vendor for the sizes I'm looking at;

LA4B5-$148
LA4C5-$156
LB4B5-$158
LB4C5-$161

transport fronts http://www.stausaonline.com/tires/sta-super-transport/
8.75-16.5LT A D/8 LA4B5 HWY 16/32 29.80 6.75X16.5 9.00 2070 60 2350 60 37
9.50-16.5LT A D/8 LA4C5 HWY 17/32 30.60 6.75X16.5 9.30 2445 60 2780 60 41

traxxion rears http://www.stausaonline.com/tires/sta-super-traxion/
8.75-16.5LT A D/8 LB4B5 M&S 18/32 29.90 6.75X16.5 8.80 60 2070 60 2350 37
9.50-16.5LT A D/8 LB4C5 M&S 18/32 31.10 6.75X16.5 9.50 60 2445 60 2780 41



sticking with the 16.5s I currently have due to better tire selection in this type of tire.. factory 15" 8 lug snap-rings too rusty..

[Cali72K20]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/C...CABEgJ4ePD_BwE

This one looks good but probably not highway friendly

[2 Stovebolts]

Thanks for the comebacks on tires...but its the wheels that I'm asking.....

[Ironangel]

275/70R-16 General something or another. I've recently went with Cooper 265/70R-16's...The 275's were like a 1/2" taller and a bit wider...