66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

athan66 · 08-31-2011, 08:28 AM

Hi everyone. New to the site and have some questions on my new to me 1966 GMC 3/4 ton.

The truck has the original 17.5 inch steel wheels along with 3 original tires in 17.5 x 7. I'm looking for new tires and the only size I can find are 17.5 x 8. Will these tires fit my wheels?

I'm thinking of the STA Highway treads as these seem to be a close match to the stock Firestones. The specs for these tires recommend a 6" wide wheel.

Thanks

factorystock · 09-01-2011, 08:23 PM

Yes, 8-17.5 size tire will mount easily on your original rim. I commend you for keeping the factory period look and keeping history alive. 17.5" one piece rims were the standard rim for '60 -'66 3/4 ton pickups.

athan66 · 09-01-2011, 11:00 PM

That's great. I can't wait to get some new tires on this truck.

As for period correct, that's what I'm after. As they say "it's only original once" so I'm doing my best to keep it that way. Although, for safety reasons, I'm swapping out the 45-year old original tires.

The rims had a fair amount of surface rust and I thought for sure that I'd have to get them blasted and powder coated. However, I did scrub them with CLR and was amazed at the improvement. Still plenty of small nicks, but no rust and a lot more visible white paint. The hub caps came out very nice.

**yelmer** · 09-02-2011, 12:11 AM

what kind of tires did you get do you have a picture?

athan66 · 09-02-2011, 09:03 AM

I purchased STA Super Transport Highway Tread tires from Universal Vintage Tire in PA (you can check their website for a small picture).

I'll try and post a photo once I get them mounted and on the truck. They look very similar to the original Firestone tires both in tread pattern and the scalloped pie crust edge sides.

**yelmer** · 09-02-2011, 10:20 AM

please post picture

sodly · 06-23-2013, 12:32 PM

I couldn't agree more. Love the original trucks. Is the paint original, too? Would love to see more.

Speaking of hubcaps, do the 17.5" one piece wheels take the same cap as the two piece wheels like mine? In other words, if I ever decided to go with a one-piece wheel, would my caps still work?

**yelmer** · 06-23-2013, 04:56 PM

yes they do! same cap

sodly · 05-09-2014, 05:04 PM

Bump. Just wondering if the owner ever wanted to share more pics of his cool, survivor GMC.

08-31-2011, 08:28 AM	#1
athan66 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hudson, WI Posts: 27	66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question Hi everyone. New to the site and have some questions on my new to me 1966 GMC 3/4 ton. The truck has the original 17.5 inch steel wheels along with 3 original tires in 17.5 x 7. I'm looking for new tires and the only size I can find are 17.5 x 8. Will these tires fit my wheels? I'm thinking of the STA Highway treads as these seem to be a close match to the stock Firestones. The specs for these tires recommend a 6" wide wheel. Thanks

09-01-2011, 08:23 PM	#2
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,396	Re: 66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question Yes, 8-17.5 size tire will mount easily on your original rim. I commend you for keeping the factory period look and keeping history alive. 17.5" one piece rims were the standard rim for '60 -'66 3/4 ton pickups.

09-01-2011, 11:00 PM	#3
athan66 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hudson, WI Posts: 27	Re: 66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question That's great. I can't wait to get some new tires on this truck. As for period correct, that's what I'm after. As they say "it's only original once" so I'm doing my best to keep it that way. Although, for safety reasons, I'm swapping out the 45-year old original tires. The rims had a fair amount of surface rust and I thought for sure that I'd have to get them blasted and powder coated. However, I did scrub them with CLR and was amazed at the improvement. Still plenty of small nicks, but no rust and a lot more visible white paint. The hub caps came out very nice.

09-02-2011, 12:11 AM	#4
yelmer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: greeley colorado Posts: 1,360	Re: 66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question what kind of tires did you get do you have a picture?

09-02-2011, 09:03 AM	#5
athan66 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hudson, WI Posts: 27	Re: 66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question I purchased STA Super Transport Highway Tread tires from Universal Vintage Tire in PA (you can check their website for a small picture). I'll try and post a photo once I get them mounted and on the truck. They look very similar to the original Firestone tires both in tread pattern and the scalloped pie crust edge sides.

09-02-2011, 10:20 AM	#6
yelmer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: greeley colorado Posts: 1,360	Re: 66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question please post picture

06-23-2013, 12:32 PM	#7
sodly Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 1,034	Re: 66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question I couldn't agree more. Love the original trucks. Is the paint original, too? Would love to see more. Speaking of hubcaps, do the 17.5" one piece wheels take the same cap as the two piece wheels like mine? In other words, if I ever decided to go with a one-piece wheel, would my caps still work? Attached Images __________________ WANTED: * 60-66 Chevy and GMC FACTORY PHOTOGRAPHY (scans) of pickups and carryalls. *Custom Camper Club*-- Own a 65-66 Custom Camper? Join us at: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/g...hp?groupid=117

06-23-2013, 04:56 PM	#8
yelmer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: greeley colorado Posts: 1,360	Re: 66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question yes they do! same cap

05-09-2014, 05:04 PM	#9
sodly Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 1,034	Re: 66 GMC 3/4 ton tire question Bump. Just wondering if the owner ever wanted to share more pics of his cool, survivor GMC. __________________ WANTED: * 60-66 Chevy and GMC FACTORY PHOTOGRAPHY (scans) of pickups and carryalls. *Custom Camper Club*-- Own a 65-66 Custom Camper? Join us at: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/g...hp?groupid=117

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