The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 20'' wheels and tires

Does any one know the difference between 20 x 5.00s and 20 x 5.0 wheel sizes

Chris,

I don't think there is a difference, it is just two representations of the same wheel width using different significant digits.

Paul

But in the Tech. Tips they show different tire sizes for them

Chris,

If you are refering to this tech tip, you are right that there are different tire size recommendations.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/wheels/

Do you know what the "s" or "t" suffixes mean?

Hopefully Grigg will be able to shed some light on this as he the author of the tip.

I also recall wheel width measurement conventions changed sometime in the late 40's-early 50's. Details are hazy.

Paul

s = steering axle

t= traction axle / drive axle

They most always spec.d a larger size tire for rear versus the front for weight height, after load. Example: 7.50 front- 8.25 rear, 8.25 front-9.00 rear.

I'm asking about the size because I was thinking of getting some 20 x 5 rims to some day put 20 x 7.50 tires on them to put on the rear of my 46 2 ton. One on each side. I think I have 6" wide wheels now. That should work shouldn't it ? I,ve been running two rock hard snow tires on rusted rims with 20 psi in them for 5 years and about 1500 miles. My owner's manual calls for 8.25 all the way around my truck but 7.50 for the next shorter wheel base down. It had all 7.50's on it when I got it so that,s what I've always bought.

7:50's are getting hard to come by,and Mud and Snow's,are almost non-existent,in the "old- style". 8:25's,and 9:00's,are much more available,and the 8;25's are sometimes cheaper than the 7:50's,just for availability. All three sizes fit the same rim,(at least mine do). I use 8:25's on my steers,and 9:00x20:00's on the drives,like Spanky is saying. The 9:00's give it a taller profile,which helps get the truck up to 55 M.P.H "Lucky" to achieve 50 M.P.H. with the 7:50's. It looks like you have plenty of rear fender clearance for the 9:00's,but I'd measure first! I.M.H.O.,wreckers look better,if the wheel openings are filled-out. Yours is a BEAUT!!

I'm committed to 7.50s at this point. I've already bought 4. I'm just wanting to make sure the 5" wide rims will work with the 7.50s on the inside duals on my 2 ton. Thanks for the compliment

Chris,

As I said before, there was some change in the width dimension measurement during the 40-50's. From memory, I think my truck had 5 inch wide rims with a recommended 7.50 tire width. I have a decent looking late 40-early 50's solid lock ring, 5 lug 20 inch rim that I would love to put in the hands of someone that needs one. My applications require 6 lug wheels.

Paul

Thanks for the offer Paul, but I need 10 holes for the rear and two matching wheels. Nice truck you have there, the military stuff is so cool!

I will be removing six 10 lug 20 x 5 rims off my '46 soon as I am replacing the rear axle and changing out the front. The rims & tires are all in pretty good shape. Lots of tread. Like most "heavy Chevys" from the '42 - early '47 period, the rears are either 8.25 or 8.50 as I recall while the fronts are 7.50. They will all be coming off before too long. I'm selling them for a hundred bucks each and guessing they would probably cost at least another hundred bucks to ship with the tires on but might still be right for anyone in search of this combination. I also have another ten or so "spare" rims in the same size.

I found plenty of 20x7.50's as well as 8.25's too here in Houston at a big rig tire shop. Chinese but about $200 bucks a pop.

Please post items for sale in the "Swap Meet" section.

Thanks,
Grigg

A couple of years ago I purchased 2 7.50s new for my steer axle from the guy that does the tire work at my work (a CAT dealer). I got them for 450 with new flaps,tubes and mounted,but they were also Chinese. I sanded that part off.

Paul_WNC / I know this is an old thread. You wouldn't have any leads on rims that would fit my 1948 2 ton?

If your 2 ton has the Budd style 6 lug stud piloted wheels, I have sourced them from many mid 1960's-70's Dodge, Ford, GMC, or IHC school buses or medium sized trucks.

From your low post numbers, you may not be familiar with Firestone R5 wheels...those are the style that created the moniker of "widow maker" learn what those rims look like and avoid them in your search.

48 2 ton ought to be 10 lug on 7.25" bolt circle.
Used is best bet, only new wheels are 19.5" and even with largest tire are too small a diameter in my opinion.
Please check out the wheel and tire what to do sticky thread and the tech tip linked in it.