HELP! Tire size advice needed for 20's - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Truckhead · 10-05-2004, 08:46 PM

Alright, i found a set of 20" rims off an Escalade at Carlisle over the weekend and now i need tires. The rims are American Racing "Raven" style 20x9, they fit believe it or not, with alittle persuation. While i'm familiar with tires and what sizes look good up to 17's, anything 18's and up and i'm clueless. I've noticed that even a small jump from a 40 to a 45 series sidewall is a big difference with the larger wheels.

My truck is a 70 c-10 2wd with an ECE 4/6 drop and disc brake conversion.

I don't want a thick sidewall like all the suv's, but i don't want a rubberband low profile either. Maybe something like a 40 series sidewall.

I drive my truck alot and haul my sportbike to the dragstrip in it, so i need something that'll survive a while.

Any help is appreciated.

Maybe i should just bag/bodydrop the hell outta it and stick on a set of low profiles?

Bagd72Chevy · 10-07-2004, 12:52 AM

My truck has 40 series on the front 20's and 35's on the back. You can't really notice the difference, but i have to go with a 35 series on the back because they are like 9.5-10 inch wide rims. Just an example. I like the look of 40 series on the truck, a 45 is a little thick for me except on newer cars (like escalades) because the wheel wells are huge.

http://members.cox.net/1allstar/truck/P1010037.JPG

*Sublvr72* · 10-07-2004, 08:50 AM

285/30/ZR20 in the front, 285/35/ZR20 in the back of mine.

Alvin · 10-08-2004, 10:13 PM

I'm partial to having tons of sidewall. I think it looks better and lends itself towards protecting the rims better. I'm hoping to run 305/50/20 on the back whenever I get my wheels. Got a tire to set up the wheel tubs and everything.

Truckhead · 10-21-2004, 11:46 PM

I had a shop mount up a 275/45/20 so i could test fit it and while it would work, the sidewall just looked alittle too tall to me. It didn't have the "look". Now they got a set of 40 series on backorder for me. I've checked all over the net and i think the 40 sidewall will do it.

**N2TRUX** · 10-22-2004, 07:24 AM

Try a 245/40/20 for the front, and a 295/40/20 for the rear......

*ghetocrewzer* · 10-22-2004, 08:53 AM

Im runnin a 245/40ZR20 and they are perfect if u want a little sidewall but not to much. And like N2Trux said u can get a wider size for the rear for a little fatter look. I am gonna move up to 22's once the truck is in paint probally 8.5 fronts 10's rear then i will have to figure out tire size again LOL!!!!!

loweredd · 10-22-2004, 10:13 AM

Man oh man I miss my 305/50/20's. Those were perfect. I have 275/45/20 now, and wish I still had more, but alas, I cant fit them under the hood anymore.

Truckhead · 10-26-2004, 02:12 PM

The tire shop wanted to sell me some 245's, but with the rims being 9inches wide i didn't want the look of a smaller tire stretched out to fit the rim, i don't like it when the bead of the wheel sticks farther out than the tire. I don't see how the average joe can afford low profile tires 20's or bigger, Some of those 22's and up tires are like $400 and up, each.....screw that.

I did find my size 275/40-20 online at Discount tire, $186 a piece isn't bad. There on the way.

10-05-2004, 08:46 PM	#1
Truckhead 18436572 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Waynesboro, Va. Posts: 488	HELP! Tire size advice needed for 20's Alright, i found a set of 20" rims off an Escalade at Carlisle over the weekend and now i need tires. The rims are American Racing "Raven" style 20x9, they fit believe it or not, with alittle persuation. While i'm familiar with tires and what sizes look good up to 17's, anything 18's and up and i'm clueless. I've noticed that even a small jump from a 40 to a 45 series sidewall is a big difference with the larger wheels. My truck is a 70 c-10 2wd with an ECE 4/6 drop and disc brake conversion. I don't want a thick sidewall like all the suv's, but i don't want a rubberband low profile either. Maybe something like a 40 series sidewall. I drive my truck alot and haul my sportbike to the dragstrip in it, so i need something that'll survive a while. Any help is appreciated. Maybe i should just bag/bodydrop the hell outta it and stick on a set of low profiles?

10-07-2004, 12:52 AM	#2
Bagd72Chevy C10 Collector Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 417	here, this should help My truck has 40 series on the front 20's and 35's on the back. You can't really notice the difference, but i have to go with a 35 series on the back because they are like 9.5-10 inch wide rims. Just an example. I like the look of 40 series on the truck, a 45 is a little thick for me except on newer cars (like escalades) because the wheel wells are huge. http://members.cox.net/1allstar/truck/P1010037.JPG

10-08-2004, 10:13 PM	#4
Alvin Never Done? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,435	I'm partial to having tons of sidewall. I think it looks better and lends itself towards protecting the rims better. I'm hoping to run 305/50/20 on the back whenever I get my wheels. Got a tire to set up the wheel tubs and everything. Attached Images __________________ Ethel - The Legend Continues... Ethel has been sold.

10-22-2004, 07:24 AM	#6
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Try a 245/40/20 for the front, and a 295/40/20 for the rear...... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-07-2004, 08:50 AM	#3
Sublvr72 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 1,387	285/30/ZR20 in the front, 285/35/ZR20 in the back of mine.

10-21-2004, 11:46 PM	#5
Truckhead 18436572 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Waynesboro, Va. Posts: 488	I had a shop mount up a 275/45/20 so i could test fit it and while it would work, the sidewall just looked alittle too tall to me. It didn't have the "look". Now they got a set of 40 series on backorder for me. I've checked all over the net and i think the 40 sidewall will do it.

10-22-2004, 08:53 AM	#7
ghetocrewzer Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sallis,MS Posts: 479	Im runnin a 245/40ZR20 and they are perfect if u want a little sidewall but not to much. And like N2Trux said u can get a wider size for the rear for a little fatter look. I am gonna move up to 22's once the truck is in paint probally 8.5 fronts 10's rear then i will have to figure out tire size again LOL!!!!!

10-22-2004, 10:13 AM	#8
loweredd www.loweredd.com Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Struble IA Posts: 808	Man oh man I miss my 305/50/20's. Those were perfect. I have 275/45/20 now, and wish I still had more, but alas, I cant fit them under the hood anymore.

10-26-2004, 02:12 PM	#9
Truckhead 18436572 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Waynesboro, Va. Posts: 488	The tire shop wanted to sell me some 245's, but with the rims being 9inches wide i didn't want the look of a smaller tire stretched out to fit the rim, i don't like it when the bead of the wheel sticks farther out than the tire. I don't see how the average joe can afford low profile tires 20's or bigger, Some of those 22's and up tires are like $400 and up, each.....screw that. I did find my size 275/40-20 online at Discount tire, $186 a piece isn't bad. There on the way.



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