Quick tire Q: 235/75 on stock 5.5 rims ok?

[PatrickGMC70]

I'm ordering new tires and I did a bit of searching on here and there were some who said that a 235 tire will mount "no problem" on the stock 5.5 steel rims, and others who say that they're too wide.

Before I plunk down all of this money for new tires, I wanted to see if there's a consensus about 235 tires on these rims.

I'm looking at getting the Coker whitewalls:
http://www.cokertire.com/p235-75r15-...whitewall.html

but I don't want to deal with having tires shipped that won't fit after an attempt at mounting them, and being stuck with trying to send them back (best case) or owning 4 expensive paperweights (worst case).

(I won't bore you with the details, but I'm committed to keeping the stock rims at this point so the only variable is the tires.)

The truck is a 1970 GMC with rear leafs. The tires that were on it previously were 225/75. I'd like to go a tad wider if possible to get all the traction I can (and a bit wider white) so that's why I'm hoping to use the 235s.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Patrick

[slow-1]

I had 235/70/15's on my stock 72 rims...no problem, I asume they are the same as your's width wise?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Lee H]

The basic rim width range for a 235-75-15 is 6-7 inches. IMHO they will fit on a 5.5, no problem. I would not be worried with that setup on my ride.

[PatrickGMC70]

Thanks for the fast responses guys. I've owned cars all my life, but this is the first time I've actually had to face this issue. Normally, I just drive the car in and get what was already on it. And if it didn't fit, well, I knew right then and there.

Here, I have the truck up on jackstands in the garage, the wheels off getting blasted and painted, and tires will be coming UPS, so this is all a bit new to me in trying to make the stars align.

(BTW, Lee I used to live in La Verne just a short skip down the 210 from Upland. I miss SoCal )

[Lee H]

I know La Verne well, one of my favorite communities.

[ultrahd4me]

You will not have any problems with a 235. I ran a 235 on the rear of my 68, and a 255 on the rear of my 64.

[Square_78]

No problem at all. I have a 235 on the back of mine.
Posted via Mobile Device

[PatrickGMC70]

Thank you everyone! I'm hoping to pull the trigger on these tires today or tomorrow.

BTW, Lonnie: it was reading through your build that finally convinced me to go with the body color wheels, and I'm about 75% towards baby moons and trim rings, but I'm still debating between them and polished lug nuts. The good thing is that it would be pretty easy to change between them to suit my mood.

[jocko]

Concur - no problems. I ran 235-75-15 on my 66's stock 5.5 steelies. True statement that tire mfgrs will say 6" minimum, but I went thru the same question process you're going thru on the 60-66 side awhile back. Took the plunge and no problems.

However, if you're considering a disk brake swap in the future, keep in mind that pre-71 steelies will not clear the calipers. You would need 71 and later K5/10 wheels to maintain the stock steelie look (ie they remained in the 6 lug pattern unlike C10 and they also clear factory disk brake setup - profile of the inside of the wheel is different from pre-71 6 lug wheels). So, if disks are planned in the future, might be worthwhile scrounging the K5/10 wheels now so you don't have to dismount/remount later.
Posted via Mobile Device

[PatrickGMC70]

Thanks Jocko.

The disc brakes issue has given me a lot of heartache actually. The bottom line for me was that I want to drive it now, and any disc brake upgrade is likely a long way off.

It usually starts out when I consider my suspension plans, and how to best lower the truck. It starts off with springs and drop leafs (leaves?), but quickly moves to drop spindles, which leads to disc brakes, MC, booster, proportioning valve, and while I'm at it, why not SS lines) which leads to new wheels and on and on.

The truck has been driven about 100 miles in the last 3 years because of one issue or problem after another. I just finished a complete rebuild of the engine and tranny, but it's still stuck in the garage because of the tires. The tires from the PO were all over 20 years old, and one just gave out and burst while it was just sitting in the garage. I'm going a little crazy not being able to drive it with a fresh engine.

I figured that by the time I'm ready to switch to discs, finding new rims will be the least of my problems. Heck, these new tires may be dry-rotted and 20 years old by then judging by my current pace. I know everyone runs into streaks of bad luck, but damn it can get frustrating when it happens to you!