The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Radials for a 61 C20

I would like to put new radial tires and rims on the 61 C20. It is 8 lug by 6 1/2. I see a lot of new Chevy take-off tires and rims with the same pattern and have been told they do not fit due to a lack of clearance. Sure would appreciate some advice on which rims will fit and which will not. Will these newer ones work using spacers? Please provide some input as I cannot find anyone around here that has a clue. Thanks!

What you need to do is measure the setback of the wheel. With the wheel laying face-down, place a straightedge across the rim and measure to the mounting face of the wheel (the flat that goes against the brake drum). Also measure from the mounting face to the outer surface of the tire. Then with the tire on the truck (not on jacks) measure the distance between the tire and the tie rod end.

Ideally, you should have 1" clearance to the tie rod, some have gone as low as 1/2" and have had only occaisional rubbing.

Using these dimensions, you can sketch out what you have and combine them with the width of the tire you want, and figure the setback of the wheel you need.

What you are going to run into is that most of the newer wheels have too much setback for use on the older trucks. One of the big disadvantages of the older 3/4 ton trucks. One option is to go to the spoked wheels, sold for trailers, where you can get closer to the setback you want. Another option is to have your wheel centers mounted on newer rims, if you can find a wheel shop that does the work.

Wheel spacers are a love/hate relationship. I have no problems with them on the rear axle, because the wheel is loaded through the hub, which sticks out far enough to use fat spacers. On the front axle, you lose the load bearing surface unless the spacer is machined to slide over the hub and nest inside the wheel center. You will also have to install longer studs, they didn't make the originals any longer than they had to.

I'm not sure what difference there is between a 61 and a 63, but I have a set of 92 steel rims on my 63. My 63 is a c20. I've got 265/75 radials mounted on the rims. The front tires must barely clear, because I can see where the tire was polished, not scuffed, just polished. If I had 235 radials there probably wouldn't be a problem. I just checked the tires since I switched front tires and correct a toe in problem (too many curbs)and don't see any problem now. As a side note I tried to put a set of 2000 6 lug rims on my 65 and the ID of the rims do not clear a lip that is on the brake drums of the 65, not a good fit without spacers and new studs.

Larry
68 C20 327 daily driver
63 C20 292 Camper truck
65 C10 ? Custom Cab AC,PB,PS,$flasher

or...another way is to go to a wheel shop that is in the blue collar part of town and if you can take the truck. These guys are used to putting on wheels on older trucks. You could also take one of your old wheels with you for comparison.

I made a few trips for my 59 1 ton which has the same pattern getting newer truck take offs, and they didn't work - always fouling the tie rod ends. However, when I went to the shop about 1 mile from my house. They had just the thing - 8 lug steel chrome wheels for an older truck. Got those with some used 245/16 truck tires all for 475 drive out (however tires don't match! . Just did this a month ago.

Works good on the old beast.

I just went to the junk yard and got some 16" rims and put some nice tires on them... check it out... www.digiflux.biz/TruckSmaller.jpg

Thanks for all the advice. I'll be glad to get radials------these old bias ply tires are hard as a rock!