Rims and tires question. Help!

[rv7aaaaaaa]

Hello everyone my name is Jim and I'm new to this forum (lurking for awhile). I've recently bought a '71 Chevy Chevy C10 lwb that's all original including the rust. Tires and rims are the first things I'll be installing and after shopping around I've come up with many questions. I'll number these questions so if any one can answer any please help me out. Chrome smoothies are what I want
1. Quality - Hard to find now a days. If I could buy the most expensive to assure quality that's what I would do, but? Cragar, American Racing or LMC's unnamed brand in the catalog? Any pro's con's or other suggestions where to buy.
2. I now have the stock rally wheels (5 bolt). What is the stock width?
15 x 7?
3. My stock wheels have P235/75R15 tires. Would this tire size work with 15x8 smoothies?
4. Rim offset and backspacing??? If my rims and tires are wider than stock what do I need to keep the center same as stock?
5. Is there any limit to how many stupid questions I can ask?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Jim

[HeavyD]

I am not sure of the offset, but I really like the look of the factory 15x8 ralley wheel, at least in regards to spacing. I too think the smoothies look good on these trucks and if I were to order a set would have them in the same size ands bs as the ralleys. To me they sit just right in the wheelwell.

[68Stepbed]

1. Quality. I think they're all about the same. I know Wheel Vintiques specializes in steel rims. I think they would all make a good wheels though.

2. I think stock width is 15x6.

3. The 235/75/15 will work on a 15x8 wheel. Another option is a 255/70/15 for a more full look.

4. Most aftermarket wheels(especially aluminum) have about 3.75" backspacing(bs). Stock GM 15x8 rally wheels had 4.25" bs. So as long as you have 3.75-4.5" bs, you will be fine. More than likely, the wheels you're looking at will come in a 4.25" bs, so just go with that for good measure. Even if you ever decide to lower the truck, they will still work just fine.

5. The only stupid questions are the ones not asked. Not to brag, but we're a pretty good group of truck nuts here. Any question you ask will usually get you a good answer. We've all been where you are, so feel free to ask any questions you have.

[rv7aaaaaaa]

Thanks for the replies,
I will post what I have learned to help others on this forum.
The quality thing worries me. Over 20 years ago I bought chrome rims that started to peel after 1 year, after 2 years I had to throw them away since the chrome just peeled off. That's when the cheap imports started - I'm pretty sure that American made rims may be out of the question today. I called LMC and asked what brand smoothies do they sell and where they were made. They told me they had no way of finding this info. "They don't know". Catalog states they are triple nickel chrome plated, no mention of back space.
Classic Ind. sell smoothies made by Cragar 15 x 8 back space 3-7/8"
Misc. internet - American racing rims going out of business!!!!!!
Prices
LMC - unknown brand - $119.95 + 12.95 center cap
Classic Ind. - Cragar $ 74.95 including center cap
Hanks Hot Rod - they claim locally chromed (Long Beach, CA) $80.00 + 31.50 for the center cap.
It is getting hard to find good quality products and even harder to find American made products to support. But its worth a try.
This is why our trucks have become so sought after
Does anybody have any experience with rims good or bad?
Jim
"No metric tools needed here"

[68Stepbed]

Check with these guys.

Also, SUMMIT sells Wheel Vintiques brand wheels.

[rv7aaaaaaa]

Thanks for the help. Ended up with Cragar Smoothies. (Discount Tire ordered them for same as internet price) Got 255/70R15 BF Goodrich T/A. The offset was already figured out and everything looks good. Hope they don't rust out or peel. I guess a good coat of wax periodically will help
Jim Kirks

[68Stepbed]

Sweet! but

Sorry somebody has to do it.

[rv7aaaaaaa]

I would love to post pics but I'm severely computer challenged. Will try to get my daughter to post for me.