Tall and skinny tires for '68 C10 Longbed

[Hardball]

Hi All...

I've been lurking the site for about 6 months and finally joined last month when I bought a 1968 C10 (2WD). I've been using the search function for most of my questions, and I've found and learned quite a bit, thanks!

Most of the trucks I see with suspension/tire mods are lowered. Call me crazy, but I wanna go up! Not a lot, but more in line with the trucks I remember as a kid. Tall skinny tires snow tires and dog dish caps on steelies...some of you older guys (like me) know what I mean...

So I'm hoping some of you can tell me:

-What are the tallest tires that will fit under the stock fenders without rubbing? 235/85-16? 215/85-16? 33/9.50-15?

-Where can I find 16" 6 lug steelie rims?

-Any of you running a tall skinny combo on a stock suspension? Pics? Specs?

-Is a 5 lug conversion required to get this done or are the rims/parts available for the 6 lug setup?

I rolled some tires next to the truck today to get some ideas. The current tires are 235/75-R15s on the stock suspension. They look way too small to me, but the 235/85s look great. No issues in the rear, but the front? Dunno...but a 1 inch lift would probably do it.

Coupla pics...:




Looking for some guidance here...thanks in advance!



Bruce

[oldgold70c10]

First of all, let me say welcome from Oklahoma! I like your truck and the way you are thinking. The 'stock' look on these trucks is just timeless! I don't know about 6-lug 16" rims. Someone will chime in. OE would have been 16.5 I think.

[Hardball]

Thanks for the welcome, OG70...

Here's a pic I saved while searching for clues, to give you an idea of what I'm going for:



This is more "offroad" than I want, but the tires look to be as big as they can be for a 2WD C10.

[rlt7272]

I just put 31x10.5x15's on my 70. Fit just fine and they look good. I will get some pics this weekend for you if you are interested.

[toms68cst]

Hey, I'm in the same mind set at you hardbll. Some day I'd like to put some tall skinny repro bias-plys on mine for that really true stock look. I'm always looking for tires that might look good on my truck.

I think 16.5 inch rims were an option on our 68' half tons. I'll have to check my records when I get back to my house. I don't know if you can even buy 16.5 inch truck tires any more. I'd imagine they are not cheap.

[Sequoyah]

subscribed....I'm probably going to do some mud terrains on mine.

[Hardball]

Originally Posted by rlt7272

I just put 31x10.5x15's on my 70. Fit just fine and they look good. I will get some pics this weekend for you if you are interested.

Definitely interested, Thanks!!

Any good ideas are appreciated!

B

[ERASER5]

33" tire will fit with stock, non-sqaushed springs and factory back spacing. It is tight, and some tread designs may rub a bit on tight turns or big bumps, but very do-able.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Hardball

Tall skinny tires snow tires and dog dish caps on steelies...some of you older guys (like me) know what I mean.

Welcome! Yes I also miss the way most 67-72 pickups looked in the 70's and 80's. Today most have been altered one way or another.1968 Chevy 1/2 tons did have larger wheel options from the factory. The tall skinny look would be the 16" and 17.5" wheels. The 16" are hard to find and the 17.5" are very hard to find, since most people bought the vehicle with the standard 15" wheels. Goverment and fleets would generally opt for the 16" wheel and 4 wheel drive buyers would opt for the 17.5" wheel for maximum ground clearance. Your best bet for the tall skinny look would be trying to find some period 6 lug 16" wheels(will require searching) and use 215/85-16 tires.

[lil hoodlum]

and on your "new" "old" truck.

She sure is pretty.

Do you have any pictures of the interior and engine?

Keith

[Hardball]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the info...

Here's a few more pics as requested.















I'm still looking for rim info. Leaning towards the 235/85-16s if I can find the right rims. Has anyone here tried the Toyota 16" rims? Do they require spacers or is the offset ok as is? Also, do the C20 springs fit the C10? I'm trying to get a bit of lift and stiffen the suspension as well.

[Sammy]

Mentioning spacers will get a negative feed back from most. Although I believe those running the Boss type 17's and such have to run spacers to fit our model of trucks. Spacer prices if you check around can get expensive from what I have seen.
I like the present ralley wheel look you have and would simply use drop springs 2 in front and 3 in the rear. This way spending much less, accomplishing the same effect for only around $200 or so.
Nice truck by the way. Welcome ..

[nightmare]

Im still looking for rim info. Leaning towards the 235/85-16s if I can find the right rims. Has anyone here tried the Toyota 16" rims? Do they require spacers or is the offset ok as is? Also, do the C20 springs fit the C10? I'm trying to get a bit of lift and stiffen the suspension as well.

I have 255/75/16's on my truck, and it looks pretty good. Fits the wheel well nicely. I could probably go bigger, as in 85's but I think that would be too big. I'm not sure of the Toyota 16" rims, but I do know that the C20 coil springs fit the C10, and provide approximately 2" of lift. This will definitely stiffen up the suspension. And welcome to the site

[cleanfreak]

nice ride , love the idea of tall skinny's even if mine is just another lowered shortbox. Watch out on the 235/85's , i have run them for years on my 99 suburban workhorse , they ride like crap compared to a good 15" radial ,you just might want to be ready for the poor ride quality.

[Hardball]

Originally Posted by cleanfreak

Watch out on the 235/85's , i have run them for years on my 99 suburban workhorse , they ride like crap compared to a good 15" radial ,you just might want to be ready for the poor ride quality.

Third time I've been told that in as many days... Thanks, man.

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by cleanfreak

Watch out on the 235/85's , i have run them for years on my 99 suburban workhorse , they ride like crap compared to a good 15" radial ,you just might want to be ready for the poor ride quality.

It all depends on the brand. You get a nice set of Michelins in that size and you'll get a really good ride.

[1972RedNeck]

Sweet truck.

[mpotts64]

I have a set of Cooper Discoverer 285/17's on mine with factory 05 Tahoe wheels, I had to use 1 1/2" block spacers to bring the tires out so they would not rub, the front would have been fine without the spacers but the back would rub the inside fenderwell since those rims are set for all disc brakes but they fit fine and work well

[Legolas894]

Originally Posted by Hardball

Thanks for the warm welcome and the info...

Here's a few more pics as requested.















I'm still looking for rim info. Leaning towards the 235/85-16s if I can find the right rims. Has anyone here tried the Toyota 16" rims? Do they require spacers or is the offset ok as is? Also, do the C20 springs fit the C10? I'm trying to get a bit of lift and stiffen the suspension as well.

That's a beautiful classic there. Not to hijack the thread but does your alternator attach to holes in the head or something else? Try to get mine up from the power steering holes.

Thanks!

[Hardball]

Thanks...

The lower alternator bracket mounts to the water pump bolt and the upper mounts to the intake manifold. Pretty good setup...

[scrapmetalart]

you get 235 85's yet?

[Meatman]

235/85 are basically same as the 16-7.50s that came on 3/4 tons. Thats what I am going to run on my steelies. Tall and narrow. Same thing that most duallys have stock nowadays.

[Hardball]

Originally Posted by scrapmetalart

you get 235 85's yet?

Not yet, Craig. Dug into the suspension first, PO did a torch drop on the coils so I decided to sort out the springs, shocks, bushings, etc before wheels and tires. As it was, the suspension wouldn't clear the 235/85s

Picked up some early/correct hubcaps for the 15" rims I have, might try the 265/75 15s. Still on the lookout for some 16" steelies. 6 lug, of course...

[BLAZERMAN]

I know this isnt what your looking for but couldnt resist, my 68 is a K-10 but other than that our trucks could be sisters! I'm running a very narrow 33" on 6" steel wheels..dont even remember the brand without going out and looking.

[PAWS 72]

Originally Posted by Hardball

Hi All...

I've been lurking the site for about 6 months and finally joined last month when I bought a 1968 C10 (2WD). I've been using the search function for most of my questions, and I've found and learned quite a bit, thanks!

Most of the trucks I see with suspension/tire mods are lowered. Call me crazy, but I wanna go up! Not a lot, but more in line with the trucks I remember as a kid. Tall skinny tires snow tires and dog dish caps on steelies...some of you older guys (like me) know what I mean...

So I'm hoping some of you can tell me:

-What are the tallest tires that will fit under the stock fenders without rubbing? 235/85-16? 215/85-16? 33/9.50-15?

-Where can I find 16" 6 lug steelie rims?

-Any of you running a tall skinny combo on a stock suspension? Pics? Specs?

-Is a 5 lug conversion required to get this done or are the rims/parts available for the 6 lug setup?

I rolled some tires next to the truck today to get some ideas. The current tires are 235/75-R15s on the stock suspension. They look way too small to me, but the 235/85s look great. No issues in the rear, but the front? Dunno...but a 1 inch lift would probably do it.

Coupla pics...:




Looking for some guidance here...thanks in advance!



Bruce

looking good.run 255-70-15 on the rallys.fills in fender wells nicely.i'm going to have to put new tires on this spring,i'm going to try 275's to see if they fit. if anyone is running 275's chime in.