Will a 295/40/20 fit on a 1972 with 5-7” drop - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jgmc · 07-19-2025, 01:05 PM

Will a 295/40/20 fit on a 1972 with a 5-7 drop? The wheels are 20x10 with 5.5 backspace.

HO455 · 07-19-2025, 07:43 PM

When you're pushing the limits with wheels and tires there are too many variables that prevent anyone being confident in anything other than actually fitting the wheel to the vehicle.
What width axle is installed?
Is it leaf springs or coils?
If coils does it have the factory track bar or adjustable aftermarket?
What brakes, stock drums, HD drums, discs?

weq92f · 07-19-2025, 08:33 PM

.

Agree with HO455's conclusions.

FWIW, I'm running that same tire on a 20x10 wheel w/5.5 backspacing. My stock 12 bolt rear end is the narrower/earlier version, stock drums and is suspended by trailing arms and coils (C-notched w/ 5" drop springs, shock relocate, adjustable track bar).

If I don't run a 1.5" spacer, the tires will rub on the inside and if no rub, they would be too far inside the lip of the bedside.

Best to borrow/rent/buy a tire size/backspace sizer tool for your rig so you can dial it all in perfectly.

-Kevin

jgmc · 07-19-2025, 09:45 PM

It’s a 1972 with the factory rear end (the wider one) has trailing arms and drum brakes. When is put the wheel on it I have maybe a little over an inch between the wheel and inner tub.

Sunchild714 · 07-22-2025, 12:29 PM

I think they'll fit in the rear with no problem but you may rub in the front without modifications. I run a 4/6 drop with 255/40/20's all around. The rear has plenty of room for a wider tire but the front will need some work to get something wider underneath.

Use the tire size comparison tool to see just how much bigger a 295 is: https://tiresize.com/comparison/

07-19-2025, 01:05 PM	#1
jgmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brier Washington Posts: 126	Will a 295/40/20 fit on a 1972 with 5-7” drop Will a 295/40/20 fit on a 1972 with a 5-7 drop? The wheels are 20x10 with 5.5 backspace. Last edited by jgmc; 07-19-2025 at 01:36 PM. Reason: Add more information

07-19-2025, 07:43 PM	#2
HO455 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 12,411	Re: Will a 295/40/20 fit on a 1972 with 5-7” drop When you're pushing the limits with wheels and tires there are too many variables that prevent anyone being confident in anything other than actually fitting the wheel to the vehicle. What width axle is installed? Is it leaf springs or coils? If coils does it have the factory track bar or adjustable aftermarket? What brakes, stock drums, HD drums, discs? __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

07-19-2025, 08:33 PM	#3
weq92f Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 3,850	Re: Will a 295/40/20 fit on a 1972 with 5-7” drop . Agree with HO455's conclusions. FWIW, I'm running that same tire on a 20x10 wheel w/5.5 backspacing. My stock 12 bolt rear end is the narrower/earlier version, stock drums and is suspended by trailing arms and coils (C-notched w/ 5" drop springs, shock relocate, adjustable track bar). If I don't run a 1.5" spacer, the tires will rub on the inside and if no rub, they would be too far inside the lip of the bedside. Best to borrow/rent/buy a tire size/backspace sizer tool for your rig so you can dial it all in perfectly. -Kevin Attached Images __________________ 67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold

07-19-2025, 09:45 PM	#4
jgmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brier Washington Posts: 126	Re: Will a 295/40/20 fit on a 1972 with 5-7” drop It’s a 1972 with the factory rear end (the wider one) has trailing arms and drum brakes. When is put the wheel on it I have maybe a little over an inch between the wheel and inner tub.

07-22-2025, 12:29 PM	#5
Sunchild714 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2024 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 25	Re: Will a 295/40/20 fit on a 1972 with 5-7” drop I think they'll fit in the rear with no problem but you may rub in the front without modifications. I run a 4/6 drop with 255/40/20's all around. The rear has plenty of room for a wider tire but the front will need some work to get something wider underneath. Use the tire size comparison tool to see just how much bigger a 295 is: https://tiresize.com/comparison/



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