Tires Size for 70 K20

[HeavyChevy70]

I'm trying to decide what size tires to put on my 70 K20 project. I bought a set of 5 16 inch steel wheels last year and want to replace the 16.5/33/12.50s on my truck. Last year, I saw some different tires on 67-72 trucks at some truck shows. Here are the three tire sizes that I saw: 235/85/R16, 255/85/R16 and 285/75/R16. Any suggestions would be helpful as I am going to look at tires this week.

[Joesjunk]

Originally Posted by HeavyChevy70

I'm trying to decide what size tires to put on my 70 K20 project. I bought a set of 5 16 inch steel wheels last year and want to replace the 16.5/33/12.50s on my truck. Last year, I saw some different tires on 67-72 trucks at some truck shows. Here are the three tire sizes that I saw: 235/85/R16, 255/85/R16 and 285/75/R16. Any suggestions would be helpful as I am going to look at tires this week.

If you have a stock truck with no lift I think the 265/75/16 looks good. The 235/85/16 is the same height just a little skinnier.

[jocko]

agree with Joe, both of the sizes he mentioned look nice on a K20. Here are 235/85/16s on my 72 - I'd love to see a 265/75/16 on stock steel rims for side-by-side comparison. I have seen them in person and liked them (the 265s) but not side by side with the skinnies.

[Sicklajoie]

^^^I agree. I've got 265/75/16 on mine also.

[B. W.]

I like tall & skinny! 235/85 or 255/85

[jocko]

thx sicklajoie! I forgot that's what you had. They look great. Hmmmmm.......
Anyone got a pic of a 255/85? I don't see many of those very often.

[skrenly]

245/75/16 works for me if you like the stock look.

[Stocker]

Last year I replaced my 33/12.50-16.5s with 255/85-16s on 7" Ford wheels. About 1" taller than OEM 7.50-16s.

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After:

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by B. W.

I like tall & skinny! 235/85 or 255/85

^ This - although I would recommend 7.50R16 or 8.25R16.

[HeavyChevy70]

Here is the truck that I saw with the 235/85/16s this past summer.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by HeavyChevy70

Here is the truck that I saw with the 235/85/16s this past summer.

Holy crap, there should be a thread on that truck!! Nice looking rig.

[Joesjunk]

Originally Posted by jocko

holy crap, there should be a thread on that truck!! Nice looking rig.

x2!!!

[52napco]

255/85r16 on 16x7

[CG]

Steel wheels look so nice. If wouldn't have found the 16.5 tires for my mags that was my next choice.

Sicklajoie I just reread the thread on your truck (again) such a great ride.

[jocko]

has anyone run 285/75/16s with stock ride height? if so, pics pls

[Joesjunk]

285/75/16 on ford 16x7 wheels.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by CG

Steel wheels look so nice. If wouldn't have found the 16.5 tires for my mags that was my next choice.

Sicklajoie I just reread the thread on your truck (again) such a great ride.

what 16.5 tires did you find, I just took my 16.5 wheels off my 72 because I cant find any 33" tires for them

[allchevy58]

Originally Posted by jocko

has anyone run 285/75/16s with stock ride height? if so, pics pls

I tried 285/75-16 on 8 X 16 wheels and they rubbed when turning, put 265/75-16 with no rubbing. I thought the the 285's looked better but I didn't want to add a lift or helper spring.

[special-K]

If you are looking for a stock look, which you didn't mention, you would want 235/85-16s. They are the closest profile to the old 7.50-16s. If you are used to looking at bigger tires you'll want either 285/75-16 for tall with some beef...about same height/couple inches less width than 33/12.50s, or if you want to go closer to stock width go with 255/85s...about same height/around an inch wider than stock. All these tires will work on stock height mounted on a 6-7" rim. 7" is better for those sizes. What width wheels did you get, stock?

[CG]

I tried to find some of those 16x7 Ford wheels for my last K20 and couldn't find a set around here. Ended up getting 16X8 from Summit (wheel Vintique). I have no use for the 16X7's now but if I stumbled across a set I would snatch them up anyway, just so I wouldn't feel defeated haha.

[HeavyChevy70]

I picked up two 8 lug rims with 245/75/R16 tires on them for $20. One will be a spare when I get new tires for the steel wheels in the future. I plan to put both of them on the rear axle and hope to get some used tires for my steel rims and get rid of all four 16.5/12.50/33s that are dry rotted. I hope to start the body work next month and will get brand new tires whenever my truck is road ready. I have some engine work to do but it is a project that is my #2 project. My other project is a vintage semi truck. Thanks for the tire size suggestions.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Joesjunk

285/75/16 on ford 16x7 wheels.

Originally Posted by allchevy58

I tried 285/75-16 on 8 X 16 wheels and they rubbed when turning, put 265/75-16 with no rubbing. I thought the the 285's looked better but I didn't want to add a lift or helper spring.

Thanks Joe/Allchev!

Joe, that looks like stock ride height - any rubbin issues or really close, etc?

I may lean backwards a little narrower just in case based on Allchev's note. It will be a while before I wear out my 235s, but one wants to be prepared

[Joesjunk]

Originally Posted by jocko

Thanks Joe/Allchev!

Joe, that looks like stock ride height - any rubbin issues or really close, etc?

I may lean backwards a little narrower just in case based on Allchev's note. It will be a while before I wear out my 235s, but one wants to be prepared

It sure looked stock, and they were close, but didn't rub. They truck sat really good, so maybe the springs had been replace at one time? I tried these same wheels and tires on a bone stock 72 K/20 suburban and they rubbed on it.

[special-K]

My '72 K2500 had 255/85-16s on 7" Accurides with old original springs that left about 1" to the bump stops and never had them rub. I have a picture as my phone screen saver but it was in my old computer that broke

[jocko]

Got it Joe, thanks. I might go one size skinnier then. Sorry Heavychevy, didn't mean to hijack.