Tire width issues and any other ideas...

[Yetibob]

I have a 79 Silverado 2 wheel drive 1/2ton that I picked up for $450 with clean title. I am going to do a 2.5 front and 4 rear drop kit on it. I have 15x10s in the back and 15x8s in the front. I would like to know what the max size tire as far as width goes that I can fit in the back. I am building it as a weekend street cruiser and fun time trial truck. Any info on any other items or ideas would be great as well. I am doing a full door shave with new mirrors. I'm going to be replacing the 305, not sure what with yet. I'm thinking of going big block but I haven't made up my mind yet. It will most likely be getting a black and red paint job once all the body work is done.

[Malo83]

A 295/50 works great on a 10" rim

[Yetibob]

Thank you, that looks really good. Very nice truck by the way. Mind if I ask what drop you have on that truck?

[Malo83]

Thanks, it's a 4/5 drop with flip kit on the rear.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Malo83

Thanks, it's a 4/5 drop with flip kit on the rear.

...and a new paint job!



Looks great.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Yetibob

I have 15x10s in the back and 15x8s in the front. I would like to know what the max size tire as far as width goes that I can fit in the back.

The distance beween the wheel house and the outer lip is 15", so that's the constraint (unless you want to tub it). So with the right backspacing a 14" wide tire would be no problem. I had a 31x15.5 on a 10" rim (13.5" wide tread) with no issues.

An LR60-15 (or P metric equivalent) on an 8" rim on the front will work as well.

Originally Posted by Yetibob

I'm thinking of going big block but I haven't made up my mind yet.

There's no substitute for cubic inches. If you don't go big block you won't need those big tires in back...

K

[Yetibob]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

The distance beween the wheel house and the outer lip is 15", so that's the constraint (unless you want to tub it). So with the right backspacing a 14" wide tire would be no problem. I had a 31x15.5 on a 10" rim (13.5" wide tread) with no issues.

An LR60-15 (or P metric equivalent) on an 8" rim on the front will work as well.



There's no substitute for cubic inches. If you don't go big block you won't need those big tires in back...

K

Any chance you would give out what brand you used for the tires? I've been leaning in the 402, 454, 468 direction but just not sure what one yet. I have found a nice 402 locally that is ready to be rebuilt for $500 so I may go that way but I just don't know.

[79Betty]

Go big or go home!! If you put a big block worh a massive torque curve you'll need sticky rubber. I have a 15.50 wide tire on mine with no rubbing. But i am lifted... With 38's... Either way looks like a good start! Lol is it a long bed?

[Yetibob]

Yep, it is a long bed but for $450 with a good title and another $100 on the wheels, I couldn't complain.

[79Betty]

I still like long beds even lowered ones more. Personal preference thing i guess. As long as the rust ain't too bad... Wtf am i saying you're in texas you did good!

[Yetibob]

LOL, thanks. The front wheel tubs are rusted and the passenger floorboard are rusted but that's all I could find. I had a lowered 75 c10 that was dogged to death. Not by me but by the person who I bought it from. I wish I never had sold that truck. My friend has a lowered 73 with a 454 and another 83-86(can't remember) that he's turning into his new crawler. His dad has a long bed 83 so...you could say it is common around us.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Yetibob

Any chance you would give out what brand you used for the tires?

31X15.5's were Mickey Thompson Street ETs.

The LR60-15's were vintage BFG T/As.

K

[Yetibob]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

31X15.5's were Mickey Thompson Street ETs.

The LR60-15's were vintage BFG T/As.

K

Any idea where I can get a pair of or the equivalent to the later?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Yetibob

Any idea where I can get a pair of or the equivalent to the later?

BFG still makes the equivalent to the LR-60 (275-60-15). For 8's & 10's, I'd do 225-70's & 275-60's if I were doing those wheel widths.

[nekkidhillbilly]

id rather have a long bed

[Gryndar]

8" fronts with 10" rears 4-4 drop and 295/50/15 all around. I am gonna go 265/60/15 in future on front cause the 295 just bulges weird on the narrow wheel. No clearance issues yet.

[Yetibob]

Looks very good. It is frozen here at the moment and this doesn't happen often in Texas. I am looking to get my tires around the first of the year. Hopefully that's about a week after I get my lowering kit done.