16” Tires on C20

[chevmn]

P265/70/16 on the 16x7 F@rd Accuride wheels with stainless dog dish caps I plan on going on my C20. I'll eventually get to that point. The tires came off a Tacoma my wife used to drive, and we were replacing tires on and they have fair tread. I know many cringe at running a P tire vs. LT, but I have no intent on overloading the tires, and maybe it will help with the ride of the heavy springs. My original plan was put 1/2 ton springs on, but figured I would try this combo before jumping off that bridge.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by steveimpala

Thanks ! Good point, would it be interior lights ?

I saw a post from SS Tim referring to it as a fleet code, which is odd cause yours does not seem to be a fleet truck at all. I am guessing it would be a safety light or marker of some kind that a camper special might benefit from.

[Tortelvis]

265/75/16

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by steveimpala

I can't recall if I had posted pictures of the new tires in another thread or not...well these are Firestone LT 265 / 75R 16...I also had the rims powder coated white ( the originals were silver ) I like how the white shows against the black ! I'm also attaching the SPID, would like to know the type of rear-end / ratio ( I'll write this down this time )

Thanks again !

Steve

Big Block trucks came with 3.56 as standard equipment. There's no code for a different ratio, so if it is the original, I'd expect it to still be a 3.56 ratio.

[steveimpala]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Big Block trucks came with 3.56 as standard equipment. There's no code for a different ratio, so if it is the original, I'd expect it to still be a 3.56 ratio.

Thanks .... and I would assume it's a Dana 60 ?

[bry593]

Most big blocks got the Dana, but not because the D60 is stronger than an HO52 (D60 is weaker). GM didn't want the big engines revving as high as a small block. The HO52 only goes down to 4.10, so they had to use the D60 to get a numerically smaller ratio. There you go, trivia of the day.....

I should mention the Urban Legend.... The legend of the HO52 3.90 unicorn!!! This mythical creature was supposedly produced by GM Canada for use in bread trucks only. This could be true, as there might be enough room to cut a 3.90. However, it would have greatly reduced load capacity due to the shallow rim under the tooth root. That said, ain't nobody on this forum ever laid eyes on one....

[sloGMC]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Big Block trucks came with 3.56 as standard equipment. There's no code for a different ratio, so if it is the original, I'd expect it to still be a 3.56 ratio.

Splitting hairs but I believe it is 3.54 standard, and optional 4.10.

[Mister Rags]

I'm going with 23575 R16 E-Load Range Michelin Agilis for my '72 C-20 Longhorn. Seems like thats the size my Dad always had on it. Better mileage than fatso's. I have a gascap issue with my aux tank filler cap. The filler tube has a 1-3/8" opening and I cant find a cap that gives a tight seal for it. My Dad had a boogered-up cap I think he made to fit. But then, what the hey did anyone inow about safety in them days of yore? ANYONE RUN INTO A FILLER-CAP ISSUE WITH AUX TANK CAP FITMENT?

[factorystock]

Very nice well optioned C 20! Early build '69's did have silver wheels ( carryover from the '68 model year) however Chevy did transition to white wheels later in the '69 model year run, so white wheels are correct also. If big block equipped, the 3.54 Dana 60 was used, not listed on SPID because it was the standard ratio. The HD 4spd was the optional New Process 435 close ratio, not the wide ratio SM 465 4 speed.

[Sicklajoie]

265/75/16 Michelins on 16x7 F#rd van rims.

[Steeveedee]

My SPID doesn't list tires and wheels, but I've got 9.50-16.5 Firestone Transforce tires on it now. Wheels are factory, as far as I know. I'm looking to get new 16" wheels so that maybe I'll have more choice for tires. How wide do the Ford wheels go?

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

My SPID doesn't list tires and wheels, but I've got 9.50-16.5 Firestone Transforce tires on it now. Wheels are factory, as far as I know. I'm looking to get new 16" wheels so that maybe I'll have more choice for tires. How wide do the Ford wheels go?

As far as I know Ford wheels only go to 7" wide, but Stockton or Wheel Vintiques make 8" or more wide.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

As far as I know Ford wheels only go to 7" wide, but Stockton or Wheel Vintiques make 8" or more wide.

Thanks, I have time to look into it before I buy. The tires are going to age out soon.

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Thanks, I have time to look into it before I buy. They're going to age out soon.

How wide are your 16.5 rims? 6"-6.5"?
Going to 7" wide doesn't sound like much, but it really fills the wheelwell nice.
Top is the 6.5 it came with, and bottom is 7

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

Top is the 6.5 it came with, and bottom is 7

Great hubcap and wheel choice, big improvement over top photo. One thing I like about the 7" FD rims, they mimic the look of the original wider 16.5" wheels used on c 20's that originally came with 9.50- 16.5" tires.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

How wide are your 16.5 rims? 6"-6.5"?
Going to 7" wide doesn't sound like much, but it really fills the wheel well nice.
Top is the 6.5 it came with, and bottom is 7

Thanks! I'd have to get under and measure them, but the tread lays flat on the ground, for what that's worth. Maybe tomorrow.

[Killer Bee]

the pictures below of my two longhorns both have the same size tires LT245/75R16, both AT type albeit different brands. ochre on 6.5" wheels and red on 7". the difference is almost indistinguishable with the same size tires aside from the brand differences.

tire size will make the most difference by changing aspect ratio, height, width, tread style/pattern, etc.

not all brands are the same, check the actual specs of tire brands you're planning to use on the manufacturer's website. this is also the best place to find factory recommended wheel sizes or a range of acceptable widths. most tire types of the same size will be very close, but compare an aggressive tread off road tire with a highway tread tire and may differ significantly.

run different tire sizes through the calculator below for more detail. you can also compare two different sizes at once to see a graphic overlay of them together for comparison.

Tire Size Calculator

a good reference to see dimensions of your 9.50 tires of course would be their website. for more sizes and styles to compare numerical bias-ply format sizes as opposed to metic format, I use STA and Interco.

Specialty Tires of America click on the blue 72 C20 for light truck tires

Interco Tire more popular for off road tires

stock Ford 7" wheels used to be plentiful from trucks and vans, and have the nubs to hold Chevy hubcaps perfectly. I got a hold of a bunch and had them blasted and powder coated down at Primo's in HB. went with glacier white from a factory Chevy wheel sample.

good luck!

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

these were the closest metric size LT tires to the originals on these longhorns..

LT245/75R16 BFG A/T KO2 tires on Chevy 6.5" wheels



LT245/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler tires on ford 7" wheels