Need tire recomendations

[Old Rust Bucket]

The first thing I do when I buy a truck is put new tires on the back, regardless of what the previuos owner tells me about them. Anyway I need new tire for a C20. The truck had 16.5 rims on it from the factory. It has 245/75R16s on it now. I'm thinking of going to 265/75R16. How much would this change the speedo from stock? and would it read high or low. High? (it's too late at night and my mind has went to bed) I want at least a 6Ply tire with good A/T tread I don't mind if there noisy on the road so long as they got good tread

TIA,
ORB

[SanitysBane]

I looked for 16.5 tires and couldn't find anything at all. I would suggest going to regular 16inch rims, a TON more tires out there, I think they stopped doing the 16.5 in the late 80's for Chevrolet. Don't know about the other guys.

[subalternnavert]

The modern equivalent for a 6ply is a C load range tire. For Minnesota, I'd recommend the Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor or equivalent. It's what I have on my '67 right now in 30x9.50r15. A quick cruise of tirerack yeilded 29 tires that meet what you're looking for from most major brands, so it's not a rare size.

[Old Rust Bucket]

So the question remains leave it 245/75R16 or switch to 265/75R16

[89 crew]

It shouldn't change your spedo at all to change the tires from a 245 to a 265. If you want to verify measure the distance around each. If I remember correctly they are the same. The 265 is a wider tire so it will handle heavier loads. The 245 is a narrower tire so it has more lbs per inch so it will dig quicker. Better traction. So what I'm saying is it is up to you. Think about what you use the truck for. Do you need the extra capacity? Do you like the looks better? If so on either, is it worth the difference in price to you?

[89 crew]

Oh, and by the way, I'm running Firestone Steeltex 235,75 16 load range E On my 89 3500 and they are good tires. They are quiet, get good traction, I have never hydroplaned with them, And they are suppose to be made of a chip resistant rubber compound so gravel won't eat them up so fast. They won't handle bad mud like a Wrangler mt. but I have been driving these for about a year and a half now with no problems, or complaints.