lifted K20 highway tire options? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nobolt · 07-17-2021, 06:41 PM

Hi guys, I just bought a lifted 1980 K20 but before I take it off road I need to do some trailering with it. maybe 10+ trips of 600 miles each. so... I was looking for some highway tires that wouldn't drone me crazy like the current 35x12.5x16.5 Super Swampers. I realize I will probably need wheels as well. Any suggestions?

**Getter-Done** · 07-17-2021, 06:58 PM

First off , Nice Truck.

I am in the same situation with my 84.

I have 16.5 Super Swampers also.

Your best bet is buy a set for street use.

Get away from the 16.5 tires and rims.

Just use those for offroad till you wear them out .

16.5 stuff is hard to find and Pricey if you do.

I tried to sell them at a swap meet one time

I could not even give them away

.

Nick_R_23 · 07-17-2021, 08:17 PM

You can still buy 16.5” highway tires, but the Super Swamper Vortrac LT is going to be about the only decent option:

https://www.intercotire.com/tire/141

TrXuS MT would be a more mud terrain style tire, but also available in 16.5:

https://www.intercotire.com/tire/102

84 400 · 07-17-2021, 09:51 PM

If you want to keep your currebt rims get military supruls tires from a hummvee. They are 37/12.5r16.5 and heavy load range. The goodyear MT Oz radials wear like iron and can haul a load. The BFG is good too. Avoid the MTR as they had sidewall issues. Here is what i ran but again these are 16.5 and you can pick them up for under 150 a tire with 90% tread..

Obviously you don’t need the beadlocks and could resell the wheels and get military tires even cheaper…

Otherwise get aome hummer H2 17 inch wheels with tires or 17 inch rims in general since the tire selection is good..

84 400 · 07-17-2021, 10:13 PM

Wait what gear ratio, engine and trans and how heavy a trailer you pulling? You may eant to run stoxk sizr for towing depending on ehat your pulling

nobolt · 07-17-2021, 10:28 PM

a lot to think about thank you. i always liked the white factory look, i wonder if i can find something like that in a 17".... back to google i guess

Nick_R_23 · 07-17-2021, 11:57 PM

84 400 also has a good point. If you can find takeoff H2 wheels, they’re wide bell, 17” diameter, and fit the 3/4 ton trucks well. Stock H2 tires are 35”, so if you get a complete setup, you can swap back and forth as you wish with your current wheels.

I just put H2’s on my 3/4 ton, super easy. Although, I won’t be keeping the 35’s!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&postcount=10

**MJN** · 07-19-2021, 08:22 AM

I'm running the Goodyear Wrangler military tires on mine- actually they've been on the truck since 2009. They're quiet on the road and wear really good too.

nobolt · 07-20-2021, 07:04 AM

beautiful truck! I'm leaning to the military tires on some stock rims. I'll have to see how i like the Interco tires too. I plan on a lot of miles before winter so I should have a good idea of what I'm dealing with shortly. Thanks guys

**MJN** · 07-20-2021, 10:10 AM

I haven't trailered with mine- I don't have a receiver on mine. I do use mine to haul lumber, retaining wall blocks, bags of concrete mix, etc. and usually that stuff gets heavy pretty quick- the closest Menards or Lowes is 35 miles away and it will run 65/70 mph no problem. Haven't had an issue with these tires and I keep them around 30 to 35psi.

**kwmech** · 07-20-2021, 11:33 AM

I'm running the KOYO A/T open country on my Suburban ---smooth, quiet.

07-17-2021, 06:41 PM	#1
nobolt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Algonac, MI 48001 Posts: 1,848	lifted K20 highway tire options? Hi guys, I just bought a lifted 1980 K20 but before I take it off road I need to do some trailering with it. maybe 10+ trips of 600 miles each. so... I was looking for some highway tires that wouldn't drone me crazy like the current 35x12.5x16.5 Super Swampers. I realize I will probably need wheels as well. Any suggestions? Attached Images __________________ Dave "... government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. Thomas Paine "It wasn't a lie, it was ineptitude with insufficient cover." Donald Draper (Mad Men)

07-17-2021, 06:58 PM	#2
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 8,429	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? First off , Nice Truck. I am in the same situation with my 84. I have 16.5 Super Swampers also. Your best bet is buy a set for street use. Get away from the 16.5 tires and rims. Just use those for offroad till you wear them out . 16.5 stuff is hard to find and Pricey if you do. I tried to sell them at a swap meet one time I could not even give them away . __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

07-17-2021, 08:17 PM	#3
Nick_R_23 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Willow, Alaska Posts: 881	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? You can still buy 16.5” highway tires, but the Super Swamper Vortrac LT is going to be about the only decent option: https://www.intercotire.com/tire/141 TrXuS MT would be a more mud terrain style tire, but also available in 16.5: https://www.intercotire.com/tire/102

07-17-2021, 09:51 PM	#4
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? If you want to keep your currebt rims get military supruls tires from a hummvee. They are 37/12.5r16.5 and heavy load range. The goodyear MT Oz radials wear like iron and can haul a load. The BFG is good too. Avoid the MTR as they had sidewall issues. Here is what i ran but again these are 16.5 and you can pick them up for under 150 a tire with 90% tread.. Obviously you don’t need the beadlocks and could resell the wheels and get military tires even cheaper… Otherwise get aome hummer H2 17 inch wheels with tires or 17 inch rims in general since the tire selection is good.. Attached Images __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out Last edited by 84 400; 07-17-2021 at 10:03 PM.

07-17-2021, 10:13 PM	#5
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? Wait what gear ratio, engine and trans and how heavy a trailer you pulling? You may eant to run stoxk sizr for towing depending on ehat your pulling __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

07-17-2021, 10:28 PM	#6
nobolt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Algonac, MI 48001 Posts: 1,848	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? a lot to think about thank you. i always liked the white factory look, i wonder if i can find something like that in a 17".... back to google i guess __________________ Dave "... government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. Thomas Paine "It wasn't a lie, it was ineptitude with insufficient cover." Donald Draper (Mad Men)

07-17-2021, 11:57 PM	#7
Nick_R_23 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Willow, Alaska Posts: 881	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? 84 400 also has a good point. If you can find takeoff H2 wheels, they’re wide bell, 17” diameter, and fit the 3/4 ton trucks well. Stock H2 tires are 35”, so if you get a complete setup, you can swap back and forth as you wish with your current wheels. I just put H2’s on my 3/4 ton, super easy. Although, I won’t be keeping the 35’s! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&postcount=10

07-19-2021, 08:22 AM	#8
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 3,051	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? I'm running the Goodyear Wrangler military tires on mine- actually they've been on the truck since 2009. They're quiet on the road and wear really good too. Attached Images __________________ '51 South Bend Model "9A" '56 Chevy 3600 NAPCO '74 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20-restored on 37's '72 GMC Sierra Custom K2500- in progress '08 GMC Envoy Denali '12 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali '17 GMC Yukon XL VCCA member #58596 http://www.nohrco.com Last edited by MJN; 07-19-2021 at 02:17 PM.

07-20-2021, 07:04 AM	#9
nobolt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Algonac, MI 48001 Posts: 1,848	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? beautiful truck! I'm leaning to the military tires on some stock rims. I'll have to see how i like the Interco tires too. I plan on a lot of miles before winter so I should have a good idea of what I'm dealing with shortly. Thanks guys __________________ Dave "... government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. Thomas Paine "It wasn't a lie, it was ineptitude with insufficient cover." Donald Draper (Mad Men)

07-20-2021, 10:10 AM	#10
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 3,051	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? I haven't trailered with mine- I don't have a receiver on mine. I do use mine to haul lumber, retaining wall blocks, bags of concrete mix, etc. and usually that stuff gets heavy pretty quick- the closest Menards or Lowes is 35 miles away and it will run 65/70 mph no problem. Haven't had an issue with these tires and I keep them around 30 to 35psi. __________________ '51 South Bend Model "9A" '56 Chevy 3600 NAPCO '74 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20-restored on 37's '72 GMC Sierra Custom K2500- in progress '08 GMC Envoy Denali '12 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali '17 GMC Yukon XL VCCA member #58596 http://www.nohrco.com

07-20-2021, 11:33 AM	#11
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,641	Re: lifted K20 highway tire options? I'm running the KOYO A/T open country on my Suburban ---smooth, quiet. Attached Images



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