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| | | Forums66 Topics128,164 Posts1,056,967 Members48,458 | | 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!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 Custom Title | | Custom Title Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 | Hey guys, just wondering what size tires fit and look the best on a 3/4 ton AD? I want to get modern LT radials but I don't want to end up with clearance issues. I have a set of 16" wheels off of a Dodge that I will using to get away from the split rims. Any input is appreciated
49 Chevy 3600 65 Chevy K10 48 International KB-1 Service Truck 55 Willys CJ5 - Chevy 331 powered 26 Model T Roadster Rat Rod 70 Tucker Sno-Cat 442-A 96 Dodge 3500 Cummins dually flatbed x-cab 4x4 06 Jeep Wrangler LJ rock crawler If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | I have 16" Yokahama tubless radials on my 51 1 Ton. The truck is a pleasure to drive and steers very nicely. I have 80s rims that are 6" wide. The tires are labelled as R215 but they are fairly tall. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 163 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 163 | I put 215 85 r16 on my 50 3600 with no clearance issues.
1950 Chevy 3600
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 Custom Title | | Custom Title Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 | Happen to have a pic of it? Just curious to see how it looks
49 Chevy 3600 65 Chevy K10 48 International KB-1 Service Truck 55 Willys CJ5 - Chevy 331 powered 26 Model T Roadster Rat Rod 70 Tucker Sno-Cat 442-A 96 Dodge 3500 Cummins dually flatbed x-cab 4x4 06 Jeep Wrangler LJ rock crawler If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | Here is what my truck looks like with the tires. 16" radial tires | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 18 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 18 | I have 265 70 R16's on my 1949 Chevy 3600. Worked out good, on Ford 8 lug steel wheels. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 95 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 95 | I have Michelin LTX M/S LT 235 85 R16's on 8lug mags on my 51'GMC 3/4. Looks and drives great,but I have some rubbing on the drag link on hard lefts.I'am thinking of flipping the drag link and putting the short end on the pittman arm and see if that helps. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 Custom Title | | Custom Title Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 | Thanks guys... Sounds like 235/85 is a good choice
49 Chevy 3600 65 Chevy K10 48 International KB-1 Service Truck 55 Willys CJ5 - Chevy 331 powered 26 Model T Roadster Rat Rod 70 Tucker Sno-Cat 442-A 96 Dodge 3500 Cummins dually flatbed x-cab 4x4 06 Jeep Wrangler LJ rock crawler If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 95 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 95 | Not yet! "Southtowns27" I have a 51' GMC 3/4 with the original style draglink "New" from "He who will remain nameless motors"and having a interference problem on left hand turns.I don't want to recomend this size tire,until I have my own problem/problem's solved. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | What backspace are you running on your wheels? I've seen this problem pop up when fitting non-oem wheels to the '59 and older trucks, and wheel backspace seems to be one of the culprits.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 83 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 83 | The backspacing of the wheels I have are 4.25" from the mounting flange all the way to the very inner edge of the wheel. The tie rods clear about 1/4" so I threw a 1/4" spacer in as well for good measure.
1953 1 ton panel
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 95 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 95 | Thanks! If I'am following you guys right,"Long box /Pooters"! (Backspacing) is measured from the wheel hub where it meets the hub/brake drum to the inner edge of the wheel not the tire? I pulled a wheel today and I'am about where Pooters is at 4.25. I think,but not sure these are American Racing 8 lug mags. Add to that the tire Michelin LTX M/S 235 85 R16's and I'am closer to 5. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 83 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 83 | Technically, backspacing is measured from the mounting flange to where the tire seals on the rim. But since clearence is our issue, I measure to the inner edge of the wheel.
1953 1 ton panel
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Most manufacturers do go to the flange for the backspace dimension, depending on wheel design, but you've got the right idea. 4.25 is about 3/4" too deep, 3-3.5" is about the most backspace these trucks can handle without rubbing issues.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 95 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 95 | 3/4" is exactly on (left hand turns),that my OEM/style drag link wants to bite into the sidewall. Do you think going to a modern type drag link would gain any clearance? Thanks Jimmy | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 17 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 17 | Hello All, one quick questiion, What wheel have you folks found to replace the OE split rim? The F**d 1970's vintage? to fit with out tie rod end interference? 1951 3600 PU. Please advise,
Thanks,
Dave
Last edited by Dkelly; 07/31/2012 9:05 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | The only ones I have heard of that fit without some modifications are a trailer wheel. The Ford/Chevy 3/4-ton moderns will not fit without some tweaks. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 83 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 83 | I have what I beleive is a 70's vintage F**d wheel with a 1/4" spacer. I beleive mine has more modern tie rod ends too. But it all seems to fit fine on mine.
1953 1 ton panel
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | '70s-'80s Dodge van wheels will work without any issues.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 37 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 37 | I originally installed American Racing wagon wheels-8 lug 15 inch and ran LT 235 75s.
Photo is on Olblue's facebook
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 3 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 3 | '70s-'80s Dodge van wheels will work without any issues. Is anybody else using these particular wheels? Are there any others that fit without any issues at all? Thanks.
1950 3/4 ton 1946 1/2 ton 1946 3/4 ton 1946 1 ton 1941 1/2 ton
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