I purchased a 1957 GMC 250 panel truck today. It has the original 17.5" rims and hubcaps. The tires aren't any good after sitting for about thirty years in the AZ desert.
I'm not going to use the original rims because the choice of 17.5" tires is so limited and radials aren't available. I have a set of 8 lug 16x7 rims that I will use instead. I want to get as tall of a tire as I can because or the rear end gears. I plan to use 285 75R 16's, but want to check first if anyone is using these and if they are having any clearance problems. My concern isn't the height, but the fact that the tires are 11" wide.
I use 8R19.5's on my '57 3600 and really like them, but the 19.5" rims are next to impossible to find. That's why I'm using the 16x7's. The 8R19.5's are 8" wide and the 285 75R 16's are 11" wide. The height is OK because the 8R19.5's have a 33.6" diameter and the 285 75R 16'a are a little shorter at 32.8".
I know the wider tires will test my Arm-strong power steering!
Input would be appreciated from anyone using 285 75R 16's on a '55.2 to '59 Chevy or GMC.
Thanks,
Matt
