1968 Chevy C20 16.5 wheels

[patroll]

Hi, I'm new here ,got a easy question for the veteran members . My 17 year sons 1968 Chevy C 20 ,I purchased it from a 90 year plus gentleman with the original front tires with about 50,000 mile on it/ and 2 original Good Year Tires 50 year old tires still holding air. Question those tires aren't easy to find 16.5 tires , what year wheels will interchange with my sons truck . I need to get some 8 lug wheels that have a easy tire to find. Can anyone make me some good wheel choices . Any good suggestions?

[PepperTreeGarage]

All kinds of choices. Can you be more specific about what you're wanting to do?

[jocko]

There are several options for 16.5 tires. Look up Firestone Trasnforce HTs or ATs in 9.50 x 16.5. Medium olive truck below had a set of HTs on. Keep in mind the 16.5 wheels were used well into the late 70's (maybe even early 80's), so there is a market for tires. Or you can switch to 16" 8 lug wheels which are also available if you want a little larger tire choice. Also note that GM, Ford, and Dodge share the same 8 lug pattern. White truck pics are the same style of tire (HT) on 16" wheels, size LT 265/75/16.

[special-K]

I get what you are looking for. Up through '87 20-30 series GM pickups ran 16" hubcap style wheels, and through '91 crew cab and Suburban. Also Ford and Dodge used them. Ford used them into the mid-90s. While there are a few 16.5 tires still available, you are correct in saying they are hard to find... such as if he has a blowout on the road and needs a replacement to get it home. You can buy the 16" wheels brand new, but used will be cheapest. The late Ford "Accurides" are a popular wheel. While GM's, as well as the other earlier, 16s were 6"wide, the 16.5s were 6.75". The Ford Accurides are 7". I say Accurides because that is stamped in the wheel of the SAE pattern. The same wheel style continued in a very very close but still not usable metric pattern. The vans stayed with SAE pattern, so you will see many refer to them as van wheels, although that is limiting your search field. Also, the latest van wheels have no nubs for hubcaps. Something else to watch for.

[Steeveedee]

I was in a hurry for tires, and spent about $900 for a set of Firestone's Trans-Force tires. Later, I needed a spare and spent $80 on a 16" 8-lug wheel from a local wrecking yard, off a Suburban, and then bought a 16" tire for it. Once these 16.5" tires get to cracking, I'll get more of the 16" wheels. I wish I had done that the first time around.

[patroll]

Yea, sure was surprised to see 2 50 year old tires still holding air Good Year ply tires . I also want to change the steering box ,mine has a real loose manual steering box. I want to change it to a power steering ,instead of the manual steering box. It appears those manual steering boxes wear out quick . The truck was a work truck either government or something white with a spot light and 4 speed transmission. I just had the head reworked hardened seats , but still going to go thru the complete engine. I appreciate all support on my sons truck.

[patroll]

Originally Posted by PepperTreeGarage

All kinds of choices. Can you be more specific about what you're wanting to do?

I'm wanting to get 5 nice wheels and tires, its only a 6 cly. 250 cid. with a manual 4 speed floor shifter. Just looking for a tire that's cheaper and more available . But a good general purpose tire that can handle a little abuse ,but still be a good road worthy tire. This will be my sons first vehicle, want something that's safe ,something he can use to work out of ,hunt out of and still drive it around. All good suggestions are appreciated!

[terry b]

16x7 eight lug ford wheels. The ones I bought were off a E 250 van 1999. The best way to go. Stock chevy caps fit on them.

[PepperTreeGarage]

Originally Posted by patroll

I'm wanting to get 5 nice wheels and tires, its only a 6 cly. 250 cid. with a manual 4 speed floor shifter. Just looking for a tire that's cheaper and more available . But a good general purpose tire that can handle a little abuse ,but still be a good road worthy tire. This will be my sons first vehicle, want something that's safe ,something he can use to work out of ,hunt out of and still drive it around. All good suggestions are appreciated!

Lots of good suggestions have been made. The only thing I can add is, if you can't find any at the salvage yard, new are available here...……..

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...Ascending&ar=1

[patroll]

[QUOTE=terry b;8484964]16x7 eight lug ford wheels. The ones I bought were off a E 250 van 1999. The best way to go. Stock chevy caps fit on them.[/QUOTE

[4carbcorvair]

I couldn't find any chevy 16" steel wheels locally. I found some E250 wheels, didn't realize until I got home with them that they don't have the hub cap nubs. Not a big deal, I like the no dog dish look.

[Stocker]

Get 16x7 Ford steel wheels as already suggested. Then get 235/85R16 tires. That's a very common size with a large selection to choose from -- brand, tread pattern, price etc.
Most (maybe all) in that size are LT tires so they are tougher than passenger car tires.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by terry b

16x7 eight lug ford wheels. The ones I bought were off a E 250 van 1999. The best way to go. Stock chevy caps fit on them.

Originally Posted by leddzepp

This^^^

Which is what I more thoroughly covered in post #4

Originally Posted by 4carbcorvair

I couldn't find any chevy 16" steel wheels locally. I found some E250 wheels, didn't realize until I got home with them that they don't have the hub cap nubs. Not a big deal, I like the no dog dish look.

Which I made clear in my post. This is what happens when you refer to them merely as E350 wheels. They were also used extensively on F250s and F350s. They are "ALL" Accurides and you can still buy brand new ones from Accuride, who are the current wheel manufacturer of many commercial truck designs and sizes.

www.accuridewheels.com

EDIT: I just checked their site and it looks like they've discontinued offering the single steel wheels. But info is there to look for old stock front truck chassis/wheel/rim shops.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by patroll

1968 Chevy C 20 ,I purchased it from a 90 year plus gentleman with the original front tires

I'm assuming it has the original 16.5" rims? If they are original '68 C 20 rims, they will have clips for hubcap retention. These rims are rare and should not be scrapped, these were '67 and '68 only, not the much more common and not rare '69 and newer bump wheels. Purists would love to have them for a 100 pt restoration, where the difference in the price of tire is not as big as an issue as the originality and authenticity of the vehicle.

[special-K]

I completely overlooked the year. I had seen the later truck pictures and I guess got swayed by those. Does this C/20 have the hubcaps still? Does your son want to keep them? I ask because, as Factorystock mentioned about the wheels, the hubcaps are unique as the wheels. GM offered either 16" split rim wheels or clincher 16.5s as the first of that type. Through '68, the way hubcaps on 8-lug wheels attached was by inner clips... as all hubcaps once did mount. To keep the original hubcaps while getting away from 16.5s you will be stuck with having custom wheels built using your original centers. The 69-75 hubcaps, while easier than the '68s, are hard to find and muy expensivo. The only other option are the climbing higher by the day 76-91s. If you have the original hubcaps and want to keep it that way I would be considering a set of 5 Firestone Transforce HTs. You'll have your spare in case of road hazard to allow time to get a replacement, or just go to a more common 16" wheel/tire for a spare if it's once the tires are at the later point of their life.

You keep mentioning the rears separately. Does the truck have the wide camper wheels on the rear? Is it a combo of 16s in front and 16.5s in the rear. Maybe if exactly what is on the truck was made clear, or even pictures, we could better advise you.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by special-K

the hubcaps are unique as the wheels.

I agree. I would hate to see these types of wheels go to China.

[patroll]

Originally Posted by special-K

I completely overlooked the year. I had seen the later truck pictures and I guess got swayed by those. Does this C/20 have the hubcaps still? Does your son want to keep them? I ask because, as Factorystock mentioned about the wheels, the hubcaps are unique as the wheels. GM offered either 16" split rim wheels or clincher 16.5s as the first of that type. Through '68, the way hubcaps on 8-lug wheels attached was by inner clips... as all hubcaps once did mount. To keep the original hubcaps while getting away from 16.5s you will be stuck with having custom wheels built using your original centers. The 69-75 hubcaps, while easier than the '68s, are hard to find and muy expensivo. The only other option are the climbing higher by the day 76-91s. If you have the original hubcaps and want to keep it that way I would be considering a set of 5 Firestone Transforce HTs. You'll have your spare in case of road hazard to allow time to get a replacement, or just go to a more common 16" wheel/tire for a spare if it's once the tires are at the later point of their life.

You keep mentioning the rears separately. Does the truck have the wide camper wheels on the rear? Is it a combo of 16s in front and 16.5s in the rear. Maybe if exactly what is on the truck was made clear, or even pictures, we could better advise you.

I just saw this message the wheels are standard size 16.5 ,the side are flared outwards I believe , someone said if you hit something hard they were known to pop the tire off , this truck is a 4 speed stick, it is geared super low. 65 miles an hour is winding her out probably go a little faster.