Tire Size

[skokie]

Does anyone know what size tire came on a 68 chevy 1/2 ton from the factory?

Thanks

[VTKidder]

I've long since wondered the same thing, or at least, wondered what size in today's numbering most closely matches what you could get back then. The specs I have for '69 show that for a half ton, whether it be 2WD or 4WD, the standard size was 8.25-15 (tubeless tires). If one wanted to get crafty, optional sizes were....
7.75-15
6.50-16
8.00-16.5 (all for tubeless) and for tube tires, you could get...

8.25-15
7.00-15
6.50-16.

I'm going to do some checking and see if I can't convert these sizes to something like 235-75-15.

[68 Suburban]

Originally posted by VTKidder


I'm going to do some checking and see if I can't convert these sizes to something like 235-75-15.

I think this size is just a little bit taller. I am running these tires on my burb and the speedo is about 10 percent off. No other changes.

[VTKidder]

I got curious and called Coker tire, and asked them some info. They said that the OEM size of 8.25-15 really isn't an option, or carried by anyone anymore. The closest size they have to that is an 8.20-15. 8.20 is the number of inches from the inside wall of the tire to the outside wall of the tire, or width at the sidewalls. 15 is the inches of the rim that fits on it. The gentleman I spoke with said that the overall diameter of an 8.20-15 tire was 29.56" with a 5.00" tread width; definitely one tall skinny piece of rubber. He did not have any info on who the OEM manufacturer was of the tires, or what model tires came on from the factory, but said that being in the late 60's, it was most likely Goodyear, or Firestone, and there was a chance that BFG was in there too. A good tidbit of information for the afternoon!

To find out what tire would best fit on your truck now, as far as matching OEM sizes, click here and it will take you to a tire size calculator where you can plug in all kinds of sizes and you can compare things. It appears that a 215/85R15 is about the closest thing to an OEM tire in todays standards.

[patrickm]

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Patrick Moates, and I am a salesman for Coker Tire. Due to the amount of traffic we have received from this forum, we would like to offer a special on some of our truck tires. I have listed the prices below, all tires are Denman brand bias ply tires with the Highway style tread with tubeless construction.

800-16.5 $84 each (11 in stock)
875-165 $90 (four in stock)
950-16.5 $100 each (eight in stock)
1200-16.5 $120 (eight in stock)

Please contact me via e-mail at PatrickM@coker.com if you are interested, or 1-800-251-6336 ext 254.