OEM steel wheels or white spoke?

[chevak20]

What should I choose for my 1982 K20 Suburban, a stock 16x6.5 OEM steel wheel or a white spoke 16x7? I am going to run a set of 235/85-16 tires for the snowy winter climate.

The OEM steel wheels have bigger load capacity per wheel and probably will stay straighter too. They will sit so much further into the body, so I am worried about the high center of gravity of the K20 Sub with that wheel.

Does anyone have suggestions or experience, besides aluminium wheels,
as the are not good in the winter salt and they cost 450 dollars used per wheel here in Sweden.

[str8axle55]

I would go with the stock steel wheel. That is the stock tire size for that truck w/that wheel. Is your truck lifted or stock?

[chevak20]

It is stock, I believe. I have 33/12.5-16.5 tires on now and that's why I need to get wheels that are easier to buy tires for. But comparing the tires I have on now with the OEM spare tire I have, it is such a huge difference. I have thought that going with the original size would work best in the wet snow with AT tires that I can have for all seasons.

I have not driven this type of truck yet at all on the road, that's why I am worried about the high center of gravity with a narrow distance between the wheels. It is a project that I will post pictures of further on as it progresses. These OEM wheels I stumbled upon in an ad are not easy to find, especially here in Sweden. So you are saying that the center of gravity is fine with that stock steel wheel?

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

[str8axle55]

I am running 235/85/16 load range E on my 88 V20 sub, and my 86 K30. I don`t have any issues, I don`t drive them like race cars, but the burb goes down the highway @ 75-80 mph without issues. I am running an aftermarket 7 inch wide wheel on the burb, and stock 6.5 steelies on the K30. I don`t thnkit makes any diff. You might want to post a pic of the truck, and springs to see if they look stock. Stock front springs are pretty much flat/neg arch, lifted fronts will have a pos arch. The rears could have blocks. You also want to make sure you have good shocks, my R/F is blown, and I can feel it while driving. The tire on the back of the K30 is actually a 245/75/16 load range E on a 16X7 stock Ford van wheel, ran those last winter.

[68Timber]

For winter salt duty, I'd sand and paint those factory steel wheels and sand/repaint as necessary - much more stout wheel. They'll last as long as you take care of them. You already know how to drive in the snow.

[chevak20]

Thank you for for your point of views, I really appreciate it. I went and bought these wheels today. They came with 7.50-16 tires too! They're old and I will wear them down eventually before a set 235/85-16 is put on.





Here is a photo of the front suspension.





The day it got home.

[str8axle55]

Pics not working for me. Glad you got your wheels though.