Ipba18 -- If you are talking the 17-inch wheels found (usually) on the 3804 trucks (your pickup), then they are three-piece wheels, not split rims. Any tire shop that doesn't understand the difference shouldn't be working on them, anyway. If you've been trying the chain tire outlets, then its not surprising that you aren't having any luck. Try finding a tire shop that services big trucks or farm equipment.
FWIW, I just put a new set of bias ply 17-inch tubed tires on my 3804. I bought them from Universal Vintage Tire in Hershey, PA and so far, I am very pleased with them. My local tire shop (services big trucks and ag) even found the tires for me and told me that it would be cheaper if I bought them directly and just brought them in for mounting. Which is what I did. They even balanced them, too. My truck is an occasional driver, not a daily. But when I do go somewhere, it's mostly on 4-lane or highway. And I am cruising 65-ish (I repowered with a 261 and I have the 4.11 gearing in the rear axle). Huck brakes, too.
And why looky here ... I'm not dead.
Note: My truck is capable of going faster than 70 mph, but it's not enjoyable. To make it enjoyable, I would have to modify my truck more than I want to. 62-ish is good enough for me.
Just sayin ... Not all of us have Grigg's uncanny ability to spot the wheels he's looking for, mixed among thousands of nearly identical (appearing) wheels in a mound, covered with weeds in a forgotten junkyard from 1000 meters... I've seen him do it in person and all I can say is that 300 years ago, he would have been burned at the stake or dunked in a pond ...
(I exaggerate for humor -- Grigg has spent a LOT of time and effort to research this stuff and prepares very well for each time he hits the fields and junkyards, so it shouldn't be surprising that he can spot exactly what he's looking for).
Bottom line -- Do not be quite so quick to give up on bias ply tires. They are one example of how it's a good thing that "they don't make 'em like they used to."
Good luck!
