I have the original 3 piece, 8 lug 17" rims on my '56 3600 that I would like to reuse on my rebuild in the near future, still sandblasting the frame so I'm not in a real hurry. I think the tires I took off were original to the truck, they put up such a fuss being taken off I had to make a new pipe holding the bead breaker for my Harbor Freight bead breaker, the walls were so thin I egg shaped the holes on the very first tire.
Anyhow, the tires on the front are no issue to replace, I can go with some 750-17 STA Super Transport that look like what I took off. The problem is the rear tires, they were 'traction' type tires and I can't find any. I contacted Specialty Tires of America and they forwarded me on to Universal Vintage Tire and they tell me that there isn't anyone that they know of that domestically produces a traction tire in 17", I have seen smaller and larger dia. tires. I can't find 17" in Tornel or a few other off brands I've come across either. I've checked Coker and a few more sites but nada
I have done searches on various internet sites, this one included, and on some old threads here and there people have mentioned they got 17" traction tires and named places but when I visit I don't see anything listed. I wish to keep the 17" rims to, slightly, offset the low rear end gears. I can get my old rims powder coated for about $35 each or I can buy some newer Dodge rims that go for about $130 ea., 1" wider with a shallow backspace. Unfortunately for me, right now I have more time than money.
