Question for C2500/C20

[drwright68]

I have a 70 GMC C2500 and have decided to bring it back to as close to period correct as I can on a budget.... The truck was mostly original when I bought it. I believe it has a later model 350 as I bought spark plugs for a 70 and they were the wrong size. I converted it to HEI so there isn't much point in going with bias ply tires...Unfortunately for my taste, the PO switched to wagon wheels and I acquired some original 8 lug wheels from a later model chevy(73-87). Would it make more sense to locate some 8 lug rims from a 67-72 so that I can spend countless hours looking for GMC 3/4 ton caps What were the rim paint color options in 1970? White only? Bumper paint options? The truck has original patina med. blue with no paint or trim options per SPID. It does have some rust in the upper Windshield and replacing both rockers would fix all of the rust on the cab. I think I will have that sheet metal fixed and paint the upper cab and lower white as a result. What are thoughts on leaving the rest of it original paint? Finally, the purpose for the post amongst others... What would be the preferred tire size for radial tires keeping in mind budget...lol...LT215/85r16? LT235r16? Any pics of these sizes on a stockish 3/4 ton would be cherrished...other thoughts/options? I am sorry for all the questions, I just haven't turned up these answers searching the forum.

Thanks!

[longhorn70gmc]

(Would it make more sense to locate some 8 lug rims from a 67-72)

NO, you have already acquired the steel wheels you need from later models and are good to go, basically the same. This is what I had to do to get mine. 16.5 rims were original to our trucks, but are hard to find tires too and the tires are more expensive. 16 inch will work great.

(so that I can spend countless hours looking for GMC 3/4 ton caps)

I am a hubcap freak and decorate my garage with mostly 69-76 caps from our trucks. I enjoy always shopping or finding caps. I even pound them back out the best I can and repaint them like the originals. These caps are not hard to find and are posted on the parts forums for sale all the time. A good decent cap should cost about 20 to 25 bucks each, but there are always deals for sets at around 40 bucks and they are good daily driver type caps.

(What would be the preferred tire size for radial tires keeping in mind budget...lol...LT215/85r16? LT235r16?)

I have learned that the 16 inch rim is the best because the 16 inch tires are plentiful and available making them a little more affordable. 235R16 is a great starting point and if you are wanting a more full tire that resembles more of a ¾ ton truck tire then I recommend 265R16. I have this tire size on my Longhorn GMC 1970 and the set cost me about $800 from BIG-O Tire. You have to shop for the deals and one size may be cost effective more than the other due to the sale. Currently, YOKAHAMA tires seem the best deal out there. My buddy just got a truck set for $ 1000.

(Any pics of these sizes on a stockish 3/4 ton would be cherrished...other thoughts/options?)

I will post my trucks with three different sizes between 235 and 265. The first pic is a half ton, but you can see the 235 size on the truck where they look small. The second pic is the old 245 tires I had on the GMC. The third picture is my CHEVY LONGHORN with 265 size.

(What were the rim paint color options in 1970? White only? Bumper paint options?)

I have found in my experience that mostly they were white, black, gray or a silverish color. Rims are not hard to paint and I recommend you paint them the color you want or the color you need to match your beautiful truck.

(What are thoughts on leaving the rest of it original paint? Finally, the purpose for the post amongst others... )

If you like your color of the truck then I would keep it for now due to your budget. I would put the money into fresh tires than paint right now. You will see my trucks are ugly for now, but down the road they will be painted a nice original color.

Good luck on enjoying and having fun with your truck. I am always around if you have more questions and if I don’t know it I can point you to the right direction or person on here.
R/

[longhorn70gmc]

First pic is another view and the second one is of 16.5 Rims that I don't use anymore.
R/

[drwright68]

I appreciate your insight. What is the aspect ratio of the 265 and 235 that you are running on 16's? I am thinking about going with a tall and skinny kind of look. I admit I am torn about the paint. After all it is only original paint once and the patina/surface rust gives it some character.I sanded the original front bumper down and am debating on white or silver for the color. I already painted the wheels silver with a quality spray bomb wheel paint and have trim rings to go on them once I decide on tire size. I do wish that I would have had them blasted and powder coated but I guess I can always do that later.

Thanks!

[longhorn70gmc]

Originally Posted by drwright68

I appreciate your insight. What is the aspect ratio of the 265 and 235 that you are running on 16's? I am thinking about going with a tall and skinny kind of look. I admit I am torn about the paint. After all it is only original paint once and the patina/surface rust gives it some character.I sanded the original front bumper down and am debating on white or silver for the color. I already painted the wheels silver with a quality spray bomb wheel paint and have trim rings to go on them once I decide on tire size. I do wish that I would have had them blasted and powder coated but I guess I can always do that later.

Thanks!

The 265 will give you that taller look and the 245 would look good too. I would tell the tire dealer that when I went to purchase and choose the tires. Think of the body paint like this; it gives you more time to plan what you want down the road. I painted my bumper on my old 70 chevy Silver. I liked it, but it didn't stay shinny for more than a year. I would use a really good quality Silver paint if I were to do it again. You have to ask yourself if you want the rims to match the bumper or vise a versa? I think that would be cool. White is a good color when your in a desert climate like me and the wind, sand and dust blow around all the time. Powdercoat is a nice way to go and it lasts for a very long time. I had some exhaust BB headers and Hub Caps done up in Black powdercoat and they still look great 8 years later. Anyway, did you have a picture of the truck?
R/
Billy

[drwright68]

This from last Feb after I bought it. I need to get some newer ones on here.

[drwright68]

one more pic.

[trapperjack]

I'm just north of Austin. I'll trade you for those wagon wheels. I have 4 factory gray steel rims and a bunch of white 8 luggers. Been looking for a set of 8 lugs for my 67 K20. Wagon wheels would look good on there. I'll pm you, so as not to hijack the thread.

I've run into a few issues with a later model 350 in my 67, too. Water temp sender is different size and ohms is what comes to mind first, so I'm going aftermarket. Amp gauge doesn't work, haven't looked into that, but guessing it's different too. Oil pressure gauge seems to work, though. Nice looking truck, good luck with it.

[special-K]

Are you looking for period correct of factory correct? Your truck is period correct now. It was wagon wheels,wide OEM-type,aluminum slots,and a a few years later finned aluminum such as hurricanes,turbines,etc.

[longhorn70gmc]

Nice looking truck, I like it because it is a GMC too. I dig the grill.

[drwright68]

@trapper PM sent back. @gmc, thanks, I like the GMC grill as well. @specialK, I want to use the factory wheels and am looking for the gmc 3/4 ton hub caps.

Dave

[Stricklinator]

I think Chevy 3/4 wheels where silver in 1969 and 1970, but I am not sure about GMCs. I think a stock replacement tire when going from split rims or 16.5s to 16" would be 235/85r16, that's what I am using for a spare. Kind of tall and skinny like you mentioned.
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[drwright68]

Thanks for the heads up on the silver wheels for 69 and 70.

[Stricklinator]

Originally Posted by drwright68

Thanks for the heads up on the silver wheels for 69 and 70.

No problem: here is a picture of my original wheels, they were split-rim 16" and you can still see some of the original silver:


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Posted via Mobile Device

Here is a link to a thread where I posted pictures of what I am running for wheels and tires now:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456953

[trapperjack]

My 68 1/2 ton panel wagon also has the silver wheels. Chevy, not GMC.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by drwright68

I have a 70 GMC C2500 and have decided to bring it back to as close to period correct.Unfortunately for my taste, the PO switched to wagon wheels and I acquired some original 8 lug wheels from a later model chevy(73-87). Would it make more sense to locate some 8 lug rims from a 67-72 so that I can spend countless hours looking for GMC 3/4 ton caps What were the rim paint color options in 1970? White only? Bumper paint options?

Thanks!

Your truck probably originally had 2 piece rims and a local tire shop convinced the previous owner to buy new 1 piece wagon wheels from him. This is the stage when the original hubcaps seem to dissappear. Funny how they don't mention to find GM 1 piece wheels either 16.5" (when new) or 16" from the early mid 80's that both accept original hubcaps. Your 1970 came with white wheels and white bumper when new.This photo shows a base trim 3/4 ton with painted hubcaps and optional retrac mirrors and chrome front bumper.Notice 69 thru 72 GMC hubcaps have a black painted center,73 thru 75 GMC hubcaps (similar style-center pushed in-not popped out) were not painted black in the center.

[drwright68]

Thank you for the reply. That is great info to know.