Tire and wheel recommendations **Sorry..another wheel thread** - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tim240Z · 10-02-2005, 09:49 PM

My tires need to be replaced (not because they are worn out, but rather because the rubber is old and is splitting and cracking). Well, since I need 4 new tires, I want to replace the rims too. The truck is a 71 C20 with stock 16" rims.
I read through the sticky thread with a bunch of wheel pictures, but the vast majority are either 15" or on trucks that have been lowered (a lot).

So....on to my question:
What would be the best stock(ish) replacement? I am not going to lower the truck (ever), and I want to put on the tallest tire for gearing reasons (4.11:1 rear).
So I am thinking 17 inch rims will give me the best options for taller tires (15" won't fit over the calipers afaik).
So...what backspacing and width would be ideal?
What size tire would be best? I was thinking 275/70-17s?
Here is a photo of the truck now (you can see the need for decent rims and tires!!)

Sorry for another wheel and tire post, but I cannot find anything pertinent?
Thanks,
Tim

Purs · 10-02-2005, 11:28 PM

my 285/60/17's are close to 31" tall I think.... (pic in my sig)

Tim240Z · 10-03-2005, 12:37 AM

What are the specs on the rims? (Width, BS etc)

68Stepbed · 10-03-2005, 08:24 AM

If your truck is 8-lug, why don't you go with the late model aluminum 2500HD wheels with a 285/75/16 tire? IMO I think they're the best looking wheel to put on a 3/4 ton truck. I'll try to find a pic and post it later.

Purs · 10-03-2005, 09:02 AM

285/60/17 on 17x9.5's with 5.5" backspace on the rear. 255/60/17's on 17x8's with 4" backspace on the front.

Tim240Z · 10-03-2005, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

If your truck is 8-lug, why don't you go with the late model aluminum 2500HD wheels with a 285/75/16 tire? IMO I think they're the best looking wheel to put on a 3/4 ton truck. I'll try to find a pic and post it later.

I was under the impression that the late model wheels had too much offset making the truck look like a fat man on a bar stool?

Purs: Thanks for thos specs. Would I be able to go 17 x 8 with 4" BS at all 4 corners?

10-02-2005, 09:49 PM	#1
Tim240Z Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: LAX area, So Cal Posts: 499	Tire and wheel recommendations Sorry..another wheel thread My tires need to be replaced (not because they are worn out, but rather because the rubber is old and is splitting and cracking). Well, since I need 4 new tires, I want to replace the rims too. The truck is a 71 C20 with stock 16" rims. I read through the sticky thread with a bunch of wheel pictures, but the vast majority are either 15" or on trucks that have been lowered (a lot). So....on to my question: What would be the best stock(ish) replacement? I am not going to lower the truck (ever), and I want to put on the tallest tire for gearing reasons (4.11:1 rear). So I am thinking 17 inch rims will give me the best options for taller tires (15" won't fit over the calipers afaik). So...what backspacing and width would be ideal? What size tire would be best? I was thinking 275/70-17s? Here is a photo of the truck now (you can see the need for decent rims and tires!!) Sorry for another wheel and tire post, but I cannot find anything pertinent? Thanks, Tim __________________ 1972 Suburban C20 454/TH700R4, eaton-corporate 4.10 (looking for 3.7) Sold: 71 Cheyenne 20 Installed a 99 5.7L L31/4L60E from Suburban 1500 (2005) Last edited by Tim240Z; 10-02-2005 at 09:50 PM.

10-02-2005, 11:28 PM	#2
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	my 285/60/17's are close to 31" tall I think.... (pic in my sig) __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

10-03-2005, 12:37 AM	#3
Tim240Z Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: LAX area, So Cal Posts: 499	What are the specs on the rims? (Width, BS etc) __________________ 1972 Suburban C20 454/TH700R4, eaton-corporate 4.10 (looking for 3.7) Sold: 71 Cheyenne 20 Installed a 99 5.7L L31/4L60E from Suburban 1500 (2005)

10-03-2005, 08:24 AM	#4
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	If your truck is 8-lug, why don't you go with the late model aluminum 2500HD wheels with a 285/75/16 tire? IMO I think they're the best looking wheel to put on a 3/4 ton truck. I'll try to find a pic and post it later. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

10-03-2005, 09:02 AM	#5
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	285/60/17 on 17x9.5's with 5.5" backspace on the rear. 255/60/17's on 17x8's with 4" backspace on the front. __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

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