1972 Wheel and tire questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

superflydude · 01-14-2007, 06:19 PM

I have a bunch of questions I hope you guys can help. I just got a 1972 K5 and I want to restore and redo a lot of things. One thing is I want to change the wheels and tires on it. It has a 33x12.5 on a 16.5 rim now. I want to get a bigger rim but i don't know the bolt pattern. Can anyone tell me what it is? Its a 4x4 also. And if I put it on 35 tire with 18-20 inch rim will there be steering issues or will it hit the wheel well? Will i need a lift kit or spacers? And if so how big? Last question is does it make sense to put a 20inch rim on or would i be just as good with an 18 if I'm mounting 35's on it? Thanks alot -Mike

krue · 01-14-2007, 06:24 PM

The bolt pattern is the standard 6 lug used by GM on all trucks up to 71, and 4wd's from 71 to 87 (91 for blazers and burbs). It's actually the same as the current GM 6 bolt pattern, but the new wheels don't have a center hole big enough to go over the hubs.

BTW Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-14-2007, 07:18 PM

1st -

From West TN

AND

2nd - If you want 35's you will need at least a 6" lift

1969k10stepside · 01-14-2007, 08:28 PM

Welcome to the site.You can put 35s on w/ a 4" lift but wheeling there will be rubbing

superflydude · 01-15-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1969k10stepside

Welcome to the site.You can put 35s on w/ a 4" lift but wheeling there will be rubbing

So if i use it as a commuter i can get away with only 4inch lift? Would I need spacers?

1969k10stepside · 01-15-2007, 12:23 AM

You should be able to get away with a 4" lift and 35s if its a daily driver

bouncytruck · 01-15-2007, 01:43 AM

Welcome to the board.

Some guys have had the center holes of newer style wheels machined out to fit over the larger hubs on the first gen blazers.

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-15-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1969k10stepside

You should be able to get away with a 4" lift and 35s if its a daily driver

Look at the pic's in my siggy link for "GQ" it has 35's and the front springs are
4" (The rear is 6" because the Previous owner wanted it level w/ the top on)

desertrat · 01-15-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superflydude

... Last question is does it make sense to put a 20inch rim on or would i be just as good with an 18 if I'm mounting 35's on it? Thanks alot -Mike

Actually neither 20's or 18's make sense on a 4 wheel drive. Bigger wheels make for smaller side walls, and unless you plan on entering drifting compititions or road racing the only other reason to have big wheels is just for looks. So bigger side walls are better for 4x4's. Which means 15" wheels work the best when you are running 35's (and in my personal opinion look better as well). Hope this helps you out a little. Oh and welcome.

vtblazer · 01-15-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertrat

Actually neither 20's or 18's make sense on a 4 wheel drive. Bigger wheels make for smaller side walls, and unless you plan on entering drifting compititions or road racing the only other reason to have big wheels is just for looks. So bigger side walls are better for 4x4's. Which means 15" wheels work the best when you are running 35's (and in my personal opinion look better as well). Hope this helps you out a little. Oh and welcome.

Gotta

Welcome to the board from VT.

BUDDY · 01-18-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Gotta

Welcome to the board from VT.

X2

Plus, I've heard the "unofficial rule" for sizing wheels & tires is that the wheel should be NO MORE than 1/2 the overall diameter of the tire on a lifted 4x4. In your plan that would mean that you only go to 17"s, which wouldn't be bad, BUT I still agree with VT & desertrat.

Later,
Buddy

JMac11 · 01-18-2007, 05:55 PM

Just an FYI, on my Mall Crawler I have 33x12.50x20" Nitto Mud Grapplers on Helo Maxx6 with 5" back spacing, 72 K5 with a 4" kit. The 20" rim clears the steer linkage great, where a 16" wheel with 4" is very close. Extreme turing in a tight flex situation the drivers tire rubbed the back of the wheel well. Love the set up, tires a great despite their Cessna Sound going down the road. Got mine for just riding to the beach and such, so take aything I say with a grain of salt.

superflydude · 01-18-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMac11

Just an FYI, on my Mall Crawler I have 33x12.50x20" Nitto Mud Grapplers on Helo Maxx6 with 5" back spacing, 72 K5 with a 4" kit. The 20" rim clears the steer linkage great, where a 16" wheel with 4" is very close. Extreme turing in a tight flex situation the drivers tire rubbed the back of the wheel well. Love the set up, tires a great despite their Cessna Sound going down the road. Got mine for just riding to the beach and such, so take aything I say with a grain of salt.

Any pictures?

JMac11 · 01-20-2007, 08:56 AM

Here ya go:

superflydude · 01-20-2007, 10:23 PM

Thats pretty nice, Where did you get the rims? Do the hubs still fit?

JMac11 · 01-21-2007, 02:21 PM

The wheels I got off of Ebay. They are Helo Maxx6 20x10 with 5 inches of back spacing. There was a Jimmy a while back with a similar setup, so the idea was not mine. Don't expect most tire guys having any idea what you are wanting. They bolt right up. You will need double acorn lugnuts for them to look right. Have not been able to find open center caps, making some out of the plastic originals when I get caught up on all the projects I have going.

01-14-2007, 06:19 PM	#1
superflydude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brewster NY Posts: 29	1972 Wheel and tire questions I have a bunch of questions I hope you guys can help. I just got a 1972 K5 and I want to restore and redo a lot of things. One thing is I want to change the wheels and tires on it. It has a 33x12.5 on a 16.5 rim now. I want to get a bigger rim but i don't know the bolt pattern. Can anyone tell me what it is? Its a 4x4 also. And if I put it on 35 tire with 18-20 inch rim will there be steering issues or will it hit the wheel well? Will i need a lift kit or spacers? And if so how big? Last question is does it make sense to put a 20inch rim on or would i be just as good with an 18 if I'm mounting 35's on it? Thanks alot -Mike

01-14-2007, 06:24 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions The bolt pattern is the standard 6 lug used by GM on all trucks up to 71, and 4wd's from 71 to 87 (91 for blazers and burbs). It's actually the same as the current GM 6 bolt pattern, but the new wheels don't have a center hole big enough to go over the hubs. BTW Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

01-14-2007, 07:18 PM	#3
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions 1st - From West TN AND 2nd - If you want 35's you will need at least a 6" lift __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

01-14-2007, 08:28 PM	#4
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,019	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions Welcome to the site.You can put 35s on w/ a 4" lift but wheeling there will be rubbing

01-15-2007, 12:23 AM	#6
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,019	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions You should be able to get away with a 4" lift and 35s if its a daily driver

01-15-2007, 01:43 AM	#7
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions Welcome to the board. Some guys have had the center holes of newer style wheels machined out to fit over the larger hubs on the first gen blazers. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

01-18-2007, 05:55 PM	#12
JMac11 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallahassee Fl Posts: 773	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions Just an FYI, on my Mall Crawler I have 33x12.50x20" Nitto Mud Grapplers on Helo Maxx6 with 5" back spacing, 72 K5 with a 4" kit. The 20" rim clears the steer linkage great, where a 16" wheel with 4" is very close. Extreme turing in a tight flex situation the drivers tire rubbed the back of the wheel well. Love the set up, tires a great despite their Cessna Sound going down the road. Got mine for just riding to the beach and such, so take aything I say with a grain of salt.

01-20-2007, 08:56 AM	#14
JMac11 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallahassee Fl Posts: 773	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions Here ya go: Attached Images

01-20-2007, 10:23 PM	#15
superflydude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brewster NY Posts: 29	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions Thats pretty nice, Where did you get the rims? Do the hubs still fit? __________________ "Who needs rocker boxes..."

01-21-2007, 02:21 PM	#16
JMac11 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallahassee Fl Posts: 773	Re: 1972 Wheel and tire questions The wheels I got off of Ebay. They are Helo Maxx6 20x10 with 5 inches of back spacing. There was a Jimmy a while back with a similar setup, so the idea was not mine. Don't expect most tire guys having any idea what you are wanting. They bolt right up. You will need double acorn lugnuts for them to look right. Have not been able to find open center caps, making some out of the plastic originals when I get caught up on all the projects I have going.



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