71 GMC Longhorn tires and/or rims

[JerryIndy2112]

Ok, I got tires on the truck today. But, Man, what a drama.
I decided to go with the Firestone 16.5. I did some shopping by calling used tire stores around Indianapolis. I felt really lucky to find a set of 4, never mounted. Tags still on them. Marker on the tread, brand new.
Took a week to get the set because they were lost in storage. Picked up last one today. Loaded them in bed, called a tire shop to get them mounted, balanced and get oil change as well.
Had wife follow me to tire store because the dry rot was so bad I was worried a tire may blow on the way. Got to the tire store, they looked at my tires. The tires while never mounted were over 10yrs old. Tire store refused to work with tires due to age. Rubber ages and insurance will not let them touch them. Crap. Nice clean tires I paid $350 for are worthless. The tire guy said, "see if a mom and pop store will mount them". He gave me a quote to get the new tires after the weekend delivered. Then installed. $750.00
I went into the parking lot and called used tire stores to find someone to mount the tires I had. New tires will have to wait, it is Christmas time. I need income, not new spending.
Called someone and he said he would put them on. So wife followed me to a crap little place and they did the mounting and new stems. They were unable to balance because my rims were too big inside to tighten onto machine. I've gone this far so fine. Just get them on the truck. After waiting 2.5 hrs. Tires are on truck. Drove truck home. Engine runs much better after running for maybe 30 miles. The truck had more miles today than it has had in 20 years. I have learned better how to drive it. I feel much more comfortable driving it. While it was lifted I got a better look underneath it. Cab mounts are rotted. All mounts need replaced. Sitting in a yard was worst thing for the truck!

Jerry