C20 Tire Selection

[dagnabbitt]

So I recently pulled a 1968 C20 out of a field - build thread coming soon - and I need to make a decision on tires. It had some non-original split rims on it (I assume they were non original since they were 17" and not the 16.5s that were on the SPID), and tube tires that might actually pre-date the truck itself.

Fortunately I knew from poring over this site that I could put F*rd rims on it, and one day I realized that I had a friend with a bunch of E250 vans. So I got a set of from him and they of course fit great! Again without this site as a resource it would never ever occur to me that they would fit.

They are a 16x7 rim, any thoughts on tire size? I like the tall skinny look but a 7 inch rim is actually pretty wide compared to original, and I want something that suits the rims as much as it suits the truck: I don't like it when the tires are noticeably crammed or stretched onto a wheel. Would 235 85 16s look good on this rim, or should I go with something wider, like a 265 70 16?

If someone could flip my pics I would appreciate it.

[burb71]

GREAT QUESTION
I'm interested to find out a good recommendation for this myself!

[dave6672]

Here's my C20 with 235/85/16's on it.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by dave6672

Here's my C20 with 235/85/16's on it.

That's the look I like too, nice truck.

What kind of rims are you using, ie are they Chev rims, and how wide do you think they are?

Hope I can find some nice deep dish hubcaps like your too.

[burb71]

I'm wondering if going to the more widely available 16-inch size wheel and tire and ditching the 16.5 from the factory.
What size tire will equate to around the same ride height to give a more accurate speedometer reading?

[chevmn]

Here is a set I have mounted using those same 16x7 Ford Accuride wheels, along with a set of stainless dog dish I restored (sort of hobby now, restoring those) which will eventually make their way to my C20. Tires are 265/70/16.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by chevmn

Here is a set I have mounted using those same 16x7 Ford Accuride wheels, along with a set of stainless dog dish I restored (sort of hobby now, restoring those) which will eventually make their way to my C20. Tires are 265/70/16.

Those look really good, thanks for the pic. I'd like to find some hubcaps next, those are rare in my neck of the woods.

[jocko]

265/75/16 Firestone Transforce HT

[fast/cheap/right]

I believe 235/85R16 should be very close to the stock tire diameter and width, 265/75R16 will be about 1 inch wider, but within 1% height wise. 265/70R16 will be about 1 inch shorter, equating to about 3.5% slower indicated speed on the speedo. Smaller than OE diameter tires also lead to lower total gearing, something to think about if you drive much on the highway.

[Killer Bee]

245/75R16 BFG AT/KO2 fit the C20 longhorn perfectly on Chevy 16x6.5 wheels..

I ran a number of tire size comparisons and these were the closest size to stock readily available..

there were a couple of different sizes and load ratings available over the years, so your application may vary..

if your not savvy, bone up on the metric tire size aspect ratio measurement meanings..

it will make it easier to understand the differences each number makes when choosing sizes..

also need to understand tread width vs cross section width or it may be confusing..

that is also the stock size tires that came on E350 16x7 wheels btw..

comparison tab very helpful to see side x side differences..

https://tiresize.com/calculator/

faded out this picture to attempt highlighting tires..

hope that helps and good luck!

[dave6672]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

That's the look I like too, nice truck.

What kind of rims are you using, ie are they Chev rims, and how wide do you think they are?

Hope I can find some nice deep dish hubcaps like your too.

I got the rims at a local junkyard and are a mix, but are 16 x 6.5 if I remember correctly.

[rpmerf]

I had some 265/75R16 tires on my truck for a bit. Mismatched unevenly worn tires on mismatched rims. I thought they looked really good. The width matched the height better than the 235's I thought. Like others have said, almost the same diameter, but an inch wider. I wish I would had realized it when I bought my current set of tires, I would had gone with the 265s.

[Furno68C20]

FYI --If your going to do a front disc conversion the new spindles stick the tires our about 3/4" on both sides. I had tire rub on the inner fender when taking a sharp turn, which then i had to get smaller tires.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by Furno68C20

FYI --If your going to do a front disc conversion the new spindles stick the tires our about 3/4" on both sides. I had tire rub on the inner fender when taking a sharp turn, which then i had to get smaller tires.

I think I'm sticking with the drums but thanks I will keep that in mind.

[burb71]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

245/75R16 BFG AT/KO2 fit the C20 longhorn perfectly on Chevy 16x6.5 wheels..

I ran a number of tire size comparisons and these were the closest size to stock readily available..

there were a couple of different sizes and load ratings available over the years, so your application may vary..

if your not savvy, bone up on the metric tire size aspect ratio measurement meanings..

it will make it easier to understand the differences each number makes when choosing sizes..

also need to understand tread width vs cross section width or it may be confusing..

that is also the stock size tires that came on E350 16x7 wheels btw..

comparison tab very helpful to see side x side differences..

https://tiresize.com/calculator/

faded out this picture to attempt highlighting tires..

hope that helps and good luck!

Very informative,! thanks for your reply

[burb71]

dagnabbitt
I hope you don't think I hijacked your thread, or took it in a different direction from your original post.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by burb71

dagnabbitt
I hope you don't think I hijacked your thread, or took it in a different direction from your original post.

No not at all, looks like it is a topic that is on more than a few people's minds.

Doing some research I am leaning towards 265 75 16s now: a size that I hadn't even considered when I started this thread. Using a tire chart and going by some the photos and member testamonials provided I think they will look good... and for some reason or another they tend to be the cheapest tire of the three or four options I was considering.

[burb71]

Thanks, good to know

[chevmn]

Here is a link to a magazine article where I got the idea on what I wanted to run (my wheels came of a early 90s Ford F250 from a local salvage yard for $20 each). There are simply very few good options for the 3/4 ton trucks when it comes to wheels. 16.5 tires are scarce now, expensive, and usually rated for heavy tow duty. I do not like any of the aftermarket wheels, and especially the ones from recent years (large diameter black aluminum wheels). This allows me to run a more common tire size, and the tires I currently have came off (believe it or not) a Toyota Tacoma which my wife drives, which are load range B tires, and should ride decent vs. the load range C, D, or E, many run...considering I do not plan on heavy towing or hauling. Only issue I have is keeping a set of restored hub caps as I keep selling the set I do for my own project, but I currently have a very nice, near NOS quality set set aside now for it.

Hope the owner of this truck does not mind, as I believe he is is a board member here...... One of my favorite builds....
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1969...et-c20-driven/

[NoStopN]

Just some stock GM wheels from a 2008 GMC. Tires are LT265/70/17.

[72c20customcamper]

Firestone transforce 265/75r16 on ford rims I bought from roadreadywheels.

[2 Stovebolts]

Trying to find the most correct looking wheel that was on my 67 K20, without split ring....Would like to keep with the tall skinny look...What are my options?

[Cali72K20]

These might be what you are looking for in a 1967 vintage look that are tall and skinny

https://www.outdoortire.com/product/...eless-7-50-16/

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Deestone-...SABEgI-OPD_BwE

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hankook-F...yABEgLktvD_BwE

[Cali72K20]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/C...CABEgJ4ePD_BwE

This one looks good but probably not highway friendly

[2 Stovebolts]

Thanks for the comebacks on tires...but its the wheels that I'm asking.....