Tire sizes for 15" steel wheels on the front? Help!

[CST10]

Hello. Tried to search for this answer but there is not really a clear one available. So, I have 4 - 15X8 steel wheels. I am wanting to put them and some tires on a 1968 chevy stepper.

Thinking 275/60/15 for the rears and maybe the front but I'm unsure. Thought the same size for rotation reasons, then another option is a slightly shorter and narrower tire for a staggered look.

What is the performance out there around this subject? Fats and skinnie/shorter set up or same all the way?

Any front tire suggestions or recommendations for the fronts? What would you put on yours or already have on your?

If you have something set up and pictures, it would be helpful.

Thanks guys.

[special-K]

I love the big/little look, but it sucks if you plan to put miles on them. I'm building my '67 with matching tires & wheels, and also have a pair of drag radials on 10" wheels for local craziness.

You didn't mention if your truck sits stock height or how much drop, if it's lowered. Your answer on tire size will pend on that

[CST10]

The truck is lowered 3" in the front and 5" rear. It's a spring only drop. Still have plenty of room in the wheels wells. I plan on driving it anywhere from 2500-5000 miles per year. It's not my daily driver.

[1971_CST_C10]

I went with BIGGINS all around. 295 50 15's in every corner, I can rotate them and also have a great ride believe it or not as those things just drift over potholes like they dont exist where as the skinier tires I ran before caught them and always felt like a hard hit.
just my 2 cents worth.
Darren

[CST10]

Nice truck and good info on the tires. Thanks.

[Mike C]

Step sides have much smaller wheel wells than a fleet. Just how low it is depends on how much tire you can get in there and offset on the wheels plays in.

Assuming the 4" backspace on the 8" rim (Thats like a +12mm offset) you can probably run the 275. But they have a LOT of sidewall bulge and remember that you have the narrower (by 3/4" per side) axle which gets you back in towards the step side inner bedside.

I've got 275 55 17 for the back of my 69 short step with 5" backspacing 9" rim, but I'm going to 5 lug using a 71 axle to get the wheel out a little. I hope all this happens next week and will try to post pics. I've got 235 55 17 for the front on 8" rim.

[cleanfreak]

275's on 8 " wheels are pretty short , I have run that on the back , with 235/70's on the front , but on a narrower rim , on my 69 (now sold) Spring drop in front , blocks rear , would have liked it a bit lower in the back

[cleanfreak]

Another pic of a members truck , I think it had 265/70's on the rear but I'm not sure

[CST10]

Anybody else got some insight into what will fit under the front and rear of a stepside that's lowered 3" in the front and 5" lower in the rear.

[Mike C]

How much work do you want to do? You can get a BIG tire if you are willing to cut the bed floor a little and the bedside for narrowed fleet wheel wells.

Deciding how low you want your truck, making sure rear axle is centered, knowing backspacking on wheels you want to run, and then hitting the ol' tape measure.

Remember, a 275 is a totally different size and shape in a 275 55 17 than it is in a 275 60 15.

If you are going to run the wheel you have now with the height you are currently at, just measure the clearance you have inside and out and try and extrapolate to a wider size.

275/25.4= 10.9" (25.4 mm per inch), figure that is the width on the tire at the sidewall bulge giver or take, mounted probably on a 9" wheel. On an 8" it will be less, and a 10" more.

275/25.4=10.9*.6(aspect ratio, 60 series)*2(sidwall top and bottom)+15(rim diameter) gives you a 28" tire height, but that too depends on the rim width you choose.

Search also all the tire size short step threads you can find, there are a bunch out there. What is the backspacing on your wheels? What tire is currently on the truck? How much clearance from the sidewall to the inner bedside now?

[sduckworth13]

Neil, I'm running 265/50/15 on 15x8 rims. 4 1/2 inch drop in the front and 5 inch drop on the rear. I'm running a 3 inch drop coil w 2 inch drop blocks.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Neil, I'm running 265/50/15 on 15x8 rims. 4 1/2 inch drop in the front and 5 inch drop on the rear. I'm running a 3 inch drop coil w 2 inch drop blocks.

It looks like you have plent of clearance on the diameter. How's the clearance on the inside by the inner bed wall.

The wheels I have are 15x8 with a 4" backspace. The current wheels are the stock 15x6 with 4" backspace. I'm thinking that I should be fine with the 275/60/15 but may have to go with the 265/50/15.

Anybody else have some valuable input. I really don't wanna add inner fender wells to it. Trying to keep it stockish looking.

Thanks guys lots of good info.

[CST10]

I forgot to mention I have a 3/5 drop on it now. Don't think I'm go any lower for now.

[beetle1960]

Originally Posted by 1971_CST_C10

I went with BIGGINS all around. 295 50 15's in every corner, I can rotate them and also have a great ride believe it or not as those things just drift over potholes like they dont exist where as the skinier tires I ran before caught them and always felt like a hard hit.
just my 2 cents worth.
Darren

Ditto..

[dell72]

69 C-10 step side, I've got 285/70/15 on a CUCV 8' wheel on the back and 235/70/15 on the front. truck has 1.5 coils cut from the front and chevelle lowering springs on the rear.

[TobyArnot]

Originally Posted by special-K

I love the big/little look, but it sucks if you plan to put miles on them. I'm building my '67 with matching tires & wheels, and also have a pair of drag radials on 10" wheels for local craziness.

You didn't mention if your truck sits stock height or how much drop, if it's lowered. Your answer on tire size will pend on that

Take a look at my avatar. 15x8 rears with. 255/70/15 TA Radials. 15x6 fronts with 235x60x15 TA radials. 2-1/2" drop spindles & 4" drop springs rear.

I drive my truck about 20K a year (daily driver). The whole big & littte look haven't caused me any problems so far. I got 45,000 miles out of the fronts and about 35,000 out of the rears, including three trips to Pigeon Forge, an all-night trip to Daytona, Asheville twice and Charleston,S.C.

I personally like the "deigo" look and if you want it, go for it. It's your truck!!

[CST10]

That's a good looking stance on your truck tobyarnot

[Coach]

I have a 67 Step side and I am running 275/60/15 front and rear. Mine is also dropped 3" front and 5" rear. I like the look of it, looks beefy and takes up the wheel well area. I always like running the same size front and rear, not only for rotation purposes, but I also just like the look.

[OregonNed]

Originally Posted by cleanfreak

275's on 8 " wheels are pretty short , I have run that on the back , with 235/70's on the front , but on a narrower rim , on my 69 (now sold) Spring drop in front , blocks rear , would have liked it a bit lower in the back

I'm doing the same on my 68 - wheels up front ar 7". Very happy with the look and performance. Like the staggered look.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by OregonNed

I'm doing the same on my 68 - wheels up front ar 7". Very happy with the look and performance. Like the staggered look.

Man, that avatar is a teaser. I love that blue color you got. Thanks for your input. I don't have any 7" wide wheels. I think that 235/70/15's might be the limit for 8" wheels. Gunna have to read up on those specs.

Again great color om your truck.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by Coach

I have a 67 Step side and I am running 275/60/15 front and rear. Mine is also dropped 3" front and 5" rear. I like the look of it, looks beefy and takes up the wheel well area. I always like running the same size front and rear, not only for rotation purposes, but I also just like the look.

Does your tires stick out past the fender wells any? What's your backspacing on your wheels?

[OregonNed]

No problem! glad to help out.

[CST10]

Awesome truck. Love that color.

[dell72]

Here's mine 235/70/15 front & 285/70/15 rear

[davischevy]

These are 275/60/15 all around with a 2/4 drop.

Sorry, I missed the "step side" part.