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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,134 Posts1,056,740 Members48,454 | | 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!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 | I am trying to guage what tire size to run on my 1940 3/4 ton. I have 16 inch rims currently with 650 bias ply whitewalls, but will probably change them out for a more modern rim with greater offset.
What is the biggest tire size you can get under an art deco truck without clearence issues? Front? Rear? any hints on offsets to avoid rubbing in the front? | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | my 52 1 ton will fit 31" tries max up front before they rub the rear edge of the fenders. My tires are 8R19.5 | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | fit close in the rear also, but could probably go an inch or two bigger in the rear | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 338 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 338 | Bigbadswingdaddy,
I just had custom offset wheels made for my 1940 1/2 ton. I am running a 1955 1st series rear end, which is 2 inches wider than the original. With the wider width the the mounting surface was exactly 1 inch offset inside the fender of my 1940. I beleve (please measure for yourself) that there is a little over 11 inches of wheel well on my 1940. That gives me 6 inches from the bed to the end of the axle and a little over 5 inches from there to the inside of the fender lip. I think you can easily fit a 235 or 245r70 16 radial in there.
Diamond Back Classics list there radials at:
235R70 16 cross section at 9.5 inches 245R70 16 9.8 255R70 16 10.2 265R70 16 10.7
Coker classic has a 750R16 that is only 8.0 inches wide. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 | Bill if I understand your post... If you went for a 7 inch wide rim, you would have 4 inches of backspacing in the rear? Do you remember what that 55 axle measured wheel mount to wheel mount?
Thanks, John | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 338 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 338 | John,
The 1955 axle is 61 inches mount to mount. Right on the back spacing. 1 inch wider in the inside than the outside.
Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | jhaa_lives, You are correct, I did some checking and mine are 33.5" tall unloaded, the average of your estimate no less. I am running Goodyear G-171 as seen here http://www.ricksontruck.com/tires_8R195.html They had the best price by far when I bought mine about 2 years ago. | | |
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