What tire size on stock C20 4x4

[njmedic3306]

I have the manual trans in my 1971 4x4 and am trying to get the RPM down a bit. I am picking up a set of 16 inch wagon wheels from a 1967 and need some ideas for "budget rubber". I would like something a little more aggressive and taller so let me know what will fit without rubbing.....

My goal is to get to 50 without the 5.7 sounding like it's going to explode...

Any ideas???

[Moline_Puller]

Hey,

You might to jack up the rear and figure out what gearing you have...if it has 4.56's in it, you might want to consider changing your gears, rather than buying new rubber. I'm not sure what is available for the 3/4 tons, but, if you aren't going to be doing any heavy towing, you can probably get away with a little less gear.

Just my 2 cents.


Chris

[Stocker]

You *might* be able to run 285/75-16s (typically on 16x8 wheels) without rubbing, but that's about as tall as you can go on a non-lifted 4x4. They are close to 33" tall. It will depend on the backspacing of the wheels. If you go with taller tires, remember your speedometer will be off.

[zeeklu]

A lot of people want the lower gears for bigger tires. Maybe someplace like OK Fourwheel Drive just south of Washington on rt57 has a used set of gears. Chris
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[mrein3]

Originally Posted by njmedic3306

I have the manual trans in my 1971 4x4 and am trying to get the RPM down a bit. I am picking up a set of 16 inch wagon wheels from a 1967 and need some ideas for "budget rubber". I would like something a little more aggressive and taller so let me know what will fit without rubbing.....

My goal is to get to 50 without the 5.7 sounding like it's going to explode...

Any ideas???

Originally Posted by Moline_Puller

Hey,

You might to jack up the rear and figure out what gearing you have...if it has 4.56's in it, you might want to consider changing your gears, rather than buying new rubber. I'm not sure what is available for the 3/4 tons, but, if you aren't going to be doing any heavy towing, you can probably get away with a little less gear.

Just my 2 cents.


Chris

Two issues I see here.
I'm not sure what "16 inch wagon wheels from a 1967" are but if they were stock, they might not work on a 1971 with disc brakes. I know for a fact that 15 inch rims that came on a pre-71 (drum only) truck won't work on the front of a 71 and newer (disc brake) truck. Not sure on the 16 inchers.

Changing gears on a 4x4 is two sets of gears, both front and rear. While certainly an option, you need to find a matched set for both front and rear. If that is what you are thinking (new gears verses bigger tires) you might want to consider an overdrive transmission. This will give you the pulling/starting power you have now, and drop R's on the slab.

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by Stocker

You *might* be able to run 285/75-16s (typically on 16x8 wheels) without rubbing, but that's about as tall as you can go on a non-lifted 4x4. They are close to 33" tall. It will depend on the backspacing of the wheels. If you go with taller tires, remember your speedometer will be off.

He might consider 255/85R16. It is quite narrower, but a bit taller than the 285s, and should fit nicely.

[njmedic3306]

These are the wheels I am picking up. They are 16's off a 3/4 ton and for $20 bucks if they don't work I will pass them along to someone on here.

I don't have a lot of cash to spend so I figured a slightly larger tire would due the trick...I can't justify to the wife paying for new front and rear gearing on a $900 truck....and from my years dealing with jeeps and those warn overdrive units that would mean more mega bucks...this is fun on a budget.....

Just got my NJ QQ plates for $44 and now I don't ever have to pay for registration again....

[Jaysonb]

In the pic it looks like the center 2 rims are smaller then the outer 2.
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[njmedic3306]

Jeez now that you mention it that does seem the case. I hope that is just an illusion or the angle of the picture.

Yaa I just called the guy and it's an optical illusion, they are all 16 inch off a 1967 4x2 w/ 3 inch spacing.

[derick1]

I have 15 inch wagon wheels on my 71 K20 but I had to grind down the top of the calipers because they were rubbing on the inside of the rims. I took a good amount off but they didnt get messed up and dont rub any more

[Stocker]

^^ I did the same thing years ago so I could run 11.00-15 Armstrong Truetracs on 15x8 wagon spoke wheels. Only had to remove a small amount of metal, though.