Looking for tire size recommendations (and pics if ya got 'em)

[brossow]

Just ordered the Boss 338 wheels for my '72 shortbed stepside but am at a disadvantage when it comes to actually sizing up the proper tires because the chassis is in my garage but the bed is in another town in my buddy's body shop and therefore I can't measure as I would like. Hoping someone else with a similar stepside can tell me what they're running so I can get tires ordered before the truck is actually back together. The truck will have about a 4/6 static drop with leaf springs out back.

Here are the wheel specs:

Front: 20x8.5, 20 mm offset, 5.239" backspacing
Rear: 20x10, 20 mm offset, 6.225" backspacing

Rear
I'm planning to run a 1" adapter (spacer) on the rear, effectively making the backspacing 5.225".

I want the biggest tire I can fit out back without even a chance of rubbing. I had been thinking 295/35 or 295/40 but there don't seem to be many options in those sizes, and price is important. At about 3/4" narrower, would a 275/35 be too narrow on this rim?

Front
95% sure I'm going 245/40 up front. Any reason not to?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Brent

[Boyd]

brossow - I ordered a 338 staggered set of 20's for my '72 step also. I also want to run a 245/45f and 295/40r, but like you; I also have had a hard time finding a 295/40 for the rear. I don't have any advice other than I will let you know if/when I find a set since we want/have similar set ups.

[jugernot]

I also have a step side and will be using the same wheels/sizes. I measured the wheel well at 11.5 inches and the 295 shows as 11.61 inches wide. So I think I will use a 285 40 20. I used this site to help determine tire height and width. I have not done alot of searching for this above mentioned tire size. I would like to know what you find out.

http://www.wallaceracing.com/tire-aspect-calc.php

[Boyd]

Here is another good site for tire size calculations. I like it because it will let you compare two different sizes at a time and it tells you the rotational differences.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[57larry]

I got 255-70x15 all the way around on my 72

[lolife99]

245/40 and 295/40.
Look at BFG's KDW's, Toyo Proxie II's, or Firestone Firehawks.

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by lolife99

245/40 and 295/40.
Look at BFG's KDW's, Toyo Proxie II's, or Firestone Firehawks.

x2

Only thing you will have to change from lolife's post is that the Toyo's are only available with a 255/40 not a 245/40; but that will also work on the front of your truck. Trying to find matching tires in a 245/40 or 255/40 and a 295/40 is getting more difficult each day.

This is the prime tire setup IMO.

[Boyd]

Can only find a 295/40 in a Toyo Proxes II, but they do have a 295/45. It's sidewall is 1.2" taller, which is a good thing in my book. Adds a little "rake".

[72BlckButy]

Boyd... I would compare some trucks that are running a 295/45 (big al) and a 295/40 (lolife99, n2trux, etc.) and see the difference, as it's pretty substantial.

[dougminton]

falken 305/50r20 on a 10" wheel on the back and it clears the bed by 1/4" sorry dont remember front size backspacing about an inch less than yours.

[hemihead]

I got these sizes in Toyo, about the only tire avaiable in these sizes.

Originally Posted by Boyd

brossow - I ordered a 338 staggered set of 20's for my '72 step also. I also want to run a 245/45f and 295/40r, but like you; I also have had a hard time finding a 295/40 for the rear. I don't have any advice other than I will let you know if/when I find a set since we want/have similar set ups.