Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,154 Posts1,056,850 Members48,456 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 | I need tires for my 1963 C20, it has the 16.5 LT tires, wondering if there are options.
Do I stick with these wheels? Will 16" tires fit? Like a 255/75/16?
Is there another wheel size with the same bolt pattern?
I really don't want to address the disc conversion yet, that may happen in a year or two.
I also have an extra set of rims for this truck, not even sure if they are worth anything or not.
Thanks!
1963 C20, 292 (4.8L). 4-speed.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 186 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 186 | Yes 16 " will replace 16.5" and is a much better way to go. 16.5 was a bit of an oddball size and i believe it may be hard to find tires now. Any tire store should be able to tell you what will 16" tire will be the closes replacement for the size of your 16.5. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 | DANGER, WILL ROBINSON! 16" tires WILL NOT work on 16.5" tapered-bead rims- - - - - -the shape of the bead seat is completely different and if you manage to get the tire to seal to the rim enough to pressurize, the tire will blow itself off the rim. The rim diameter and the tire MUST match. One of my not-too-bright friends put a tube into a 14" tire so he could inflate it on a 14.5" mobile home wheel. The tire blew off the rim and almost severed his wrist on his right hand- - - -the one that was holding the air hose. A 16.5" tubeless tire will have the same overall height as a corresponding 15" tube type tire. Ditto for 16" and 17.5, 20" and 22.5, etc.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | Just to be clear, you must replace the wheels with 16 in wheels. It is a good choice.
George
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 | Just to be clear, you must replace the wheels with 16 in wheels. It is a good choice.
George Can you provide a link to a wheel that will work for the C20? Not even sure where to start looking for this...
1963 C20, 292 (4.8L). 4-speed.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 | Try any of the trailer wheel suppliers for a 16" 8-lug spoked "wagon wheel". They carry the same bolt pattern as the 3/4 and 1 ton Chevy, Ford, and Dodge trucks use.
https://www.amazon.com/eCustomRim-Equipment-Trailer-Wheels-Design/dp/B007OY7UGW/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=8+lug+trailer+wheel+16%22&qid=1587506655&sr=8-7
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 | I would like to keep the original hubcaps - is this possible with new wheels?
Last edited by GeorgeCz; 04/21/2020 10:46 PM.
1963 C20, 292 (4.8L). 4-speed.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 | I'd drill and tap the wheels in 3 places and attach the hubcaps with machine screws.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | You don't have original wheels. 1963 C20 did not come with 16.5". You have Ford wheels or 67-82 Chevy wheels. During this period 16" was an option with tube tires. In 1983, 16" became standard for C20.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 |
1963 C20, 292 (4.8L). 4-speed.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 | The lug bolt pattern will definitely work. Some drop-center tubeless tire type 16" rims will be too small in the center to fit over the brake drums. Be sure you have enough clearance to allow the wheel center to fit flat against the mounting surface where the lug bolts meet the wheel without hanging up on the brake drums.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2020 Posts: 102 | The lug bolt pattern will definitely work. Some drop-center tubeless tire type 16" rims will be too small in the center to fit over the brake drums. Be sure you have enough clearance to allow the wheel center to fit flat against the mounting surface where the lug bolts meet the wheel without hanging up on the brake drums.
Jerry Good to know - Thanks. Is there a work-around, maybe an adapter plate that could be made? I presume one would need to have the wheel stand-of a bit from the brake drum?
1963 C20, 292 (4.8L). 4-speed.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 | Measure first- - - - -the problem is more common on the 1 ton dual wheel trucks with big rear brake drums. I have one dual wheel truck that has to run tube type split rims which have straight wheel centers on the inside wheels because the 16" tubeless wheels I use for the outers won't clear the drums.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | |
|
|
