Tires For 16.5" Diameter Wheels

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Looks like Firestone is my only solution. Thanks, all for their input. What concerns me is that I might have to buy new wheels, next time I buy tires for Big Orange. Seems a shame to make it a semi-donk.

If eventually you have to go to different rims, I run F#rd van 16 x 7 rims. They're a dime a dozen you won't even notice the difference.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

If eventually you have to go to different rims, I run F#rd van 16 x 7 rims. They're a dime a dozen you won't even notice the difference.

Heh, that DID occur to me, because the bolt circle is the same across all manufacturer lines. I'd want wider than 7", though, because this beast is carrying a camper shell and an interior load inside the shell, and has trailer towing duties. I'm going to have to seriously look at this option, especially if the wheels can be gotten cheaply enough. This truck has been in my wife's family since 1973, and a big change like different wheels will unsettle my wife. More white steelies will be no change, as far as she would know. I guess the poverty caps still fit? Looks like it from your picture.

BTW, that is one nice truck!

[Layne]

I went with the Firestones!

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Heh, that DID occur to me, because the bolt circle is the same across all manufacturer lines. I'd want wider than 7", though, because this beast is carrying a camper shell and an interior load inside the shell, and has trailer towing duties. I'm going to have to seriously look at this option, especially if the wheels can be gotten cheaply enough. This truck has been in my wife's family since 1973, and a big change like different wheels will unsettle my wife. More white steelies will be no change, as far as she would know. I guess the poverty caps still fit? Looks like it from your picture.

BTW, that is one nice truck!

Thanks!
Same nubs for the hubcaps. The only thing that's different with the F#rd rims is that they're lug centric vs. hub centric. The wheel opening is bigger than the hub, so the rim is centered on the lugs, not the hub.
If you get Load Range E tires, then 7" rims shouldn't be an issue if you're carrying that much weight back there.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I'd want wider than 7", though, because this beast is carrying a camper shell and an interior load inside the shell, and has trailer towing duties.

16" LT tires are meant to haul. After all, they are truck tires traditionally made for 3/4t and 1t trucks. They have hauled everything under the sun. You can get them in as high a weight rating as your truck can handle. You'll be fine

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Layne

I went with the Firestones!

Looks absolutely fantastic Layne. I appreciate you putting in that extra effort and going down that road less traveled when in comes to pre '69 C20 trucks. Most will not go that extra mile to run correct hubcaps and the one piece solid 16.5" wheels with clips in these earlier year trucks. IMO, the value and pride of ownership will pay off handsomely. Glad you went with the argent paint wheels also. You now have a time machine. Priceless.

[Layne]

Thanks Factory Stock.
I knew from the beginning I wanted a VERY Original look, even when I did not know what THAT was.
Thanks a million to you and some others for sharing information that others have forgot, or don't care about.
I am very happy with the look now, and it is certainly worth the extra effort and expense.

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by Layne

Thanks Factory Stock.
I knew from the beginning I wanted a VERY Original look, even when I did not know what THAT was.
Thanks a million to you and some others for sharing information that others have forgot, or don't care about.
I am very happy with the look now, and it is certainly worth the extra effort and expense.

I was in the same boat when I got mine. It had a nice set of Alcoa aluminums but they just weren't my style.

[72CSCC]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

I was in the same boat when I got mine. It had a nice set of Alcoa aluminums but they just weren't my style.

That is a beautiful truck. I always wanted Red, Orange, Red/Orange - what ever you want to call it - so bad.

Twenty years ago, however, I bought "Big Green".

To the subject - I will be restoring my truck in the next few years. One thing I bought for my resto - which I want to look very very very stock - was a set of OEM option 16.5 x 9.75 rims. Oops. Great if you are driving on your rims, because there are few tires available. Much _recent_ research as pointed me this way:

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=17&g=1

The best 33, and pretty aggressive:

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=11&g=1


Oh yeah. GULP. The prices:

Vortrac: $365/ea

Trxus: $309/ea

So yeah, I got a "steal" (steel?) on these wheels. I emailed Interco the other day and told them if they made the Vortrac in a 33 it would sell like hotcakes. I am dreaming.

Not sure what I am going to do.....I do not want a 4"lift on my truck to fit 35" tire.

[Layne]

That Orange truck is beautiful!

[special-K]

I really appreciate both of these C/20s. I was surprised when Interco came out with the Vortrac, since they've always been the big luggy 4wd tire people. But I'm more surprised they only make the 35s in a 16.5. It would serve them well to produce a 12.50/33, 31/10.50, and/or a 9.50. They aren't your mainstream hi-volume company like BFG and could own the classic 16.5 tire market

[Steeveedee]

I ended up with Firestone 9.50R16.5 tires. I'll get some pics up, once I clean up the wheels from where the weights got relocated. My FIL painted the wheels white last time, and painted the weights while he was at it, instead of removing the weights and then reinstalling them after painting. I can understand that- I wouldn't want to remove the weights and then put them on in the wrong place (though I do know how to mark the tire first)!

[jocko]

good tire choice