The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Best size tires???

My 62 1/2 ton C10 Chevy truck needs new tires on the front. I have 235R15s on the back but need a smaller,more narrow,tire for the front to make for easier steering since I do not have power steering. Any suggestions? I am already running radials but have to increase inflation to 40 lbs to help with steering. Thanks for any ideas.

215/75/15 is pretty close in size to what the oem 6.70-15 bias ply tire was. It will be shorter in diameter than the 235s you have now, so you will lose a bit of top end.

I have these 2 websites saved in favorites on my computer. The Tire Size website lets you compare different size tires on different width rims. The Speed Calculation website allows you to calculate what your highway speed will be with any given tire daimeter, rear gear ratio, transmission ratio and engine RPMs as input variables. Of course it doesn't take into account wind resistance (at least I don't think so).

These might help you make a decision.

I don't think Edabbs was asking about top end speed, or engine RPMs.The question was more focused on steering effort because he needs new front tires. I do agree, however, with the 215/75/15 recommendation. It's close to the stock size, as far as width. It should put the truck back close to factory engineered geometry & help with steering effort.

I agree completely. The intent of my post was to suggest helpful websites that give good info when comparing tire sizes. The size recommendation had already been given by someone else, so I did not need to comment on it again.

The websites I provided help a person make side by side comparisons. I, for one, want to know what the differences will be in width and diameter if I change tire sizes. It helps me make a decision.

If he ever changes his rear tire size to 215/75/15, then he will be able to see how it will affect his top end speed and engine RPMs.

225/75R15's make a nice front tire for 6" wheels, too. Really, though, just get used to making sure you're moving while turning and it is a non-issue, IMHO.

Probably a good time to check/top off the gear box lube and grease all the suspension/steering grease fittings while you have the wheels off, too. (Not that that's making it hard to steer, just probably hasn't been done in several decades.)

I appreciate everyone's comments. As suggested I will install 215/75R15S on the front only and keep running 235's on the back. I have had the truck since 1968 and always greased everything religiously-changing the oil every 3,000 miles etc. It has been one of the best vehicles I have ever driven. Keep on trucking!!! Edabbs