Okay, okay, okay as Nate would say, "This old saw again?" But, I just have to do it. The Tahoe wheels and tires I bought for a song are going up for sale. Wheels just don't fit as the offset is way too big and the whole spacer idea kinda makes me uneasy as I don't know how silly the truck is gonna look with the front feet sticking out that much further. I am going to go with 235/85 R16 tires on my stock drive train and front end (tall and skinny as per Nate). I'm thinking of 7 inch wheels. Anybody got any kind of idea what will fit on the truck as far as something later model and a little bit dressy? You know, something I can pick up at the boneyard to dress up the truck a little. The stock rims I have are skinnier than Olive Oyl at about 4 inches between where the beads set. Even with the 235/85 R16's that's still pushing it a bit, don't you all think? Got a great wheel place near me and could prolly buy a new set of 7" steel wheels (nothing fancy) for about $100.00, but I don't know what offset to ask for. I think it was Gater who said that he got some Pacers with a 3.63 offset, but I don't want to go for the change being Yankee thrifty and all. Anybody ever put later Chevy truck wheels on their AD with success? Andy
Andy, use your stock wheels. Paint them a contrasting color, put some pinstripes on them, put beauty rims and caps on them! Classic, tasteful and ever so sweet (not to mention cost effective)! That's my 3 cents (adjusted for inflation)!
Gee Whizz, Andy~ We keep covering the same ground! Wheels/tires are where I'm at too- especially after that way cool site, provided by Aimless, that lets you figure what a$$ end you need to get so you can pass Nate on the highway. I have all the stock socks, but I think (pray) they are wider than 4"... I still haven't decided about the shoes though~ With the paint that I'm going to put on her, wide whites might actually work! (as long as they are radials) The socks have the clips for my God My (truck is better than ANY) Chevy hubcaps... can't wait...
Newer 16" Wheels..... Can be sourced from Econoline vans.... they'll have the correct offset too . I don't quite recall the model year but I did find a set of these very popular rims in Pheonix when I was out visiting that righ lady I useta date.... I'm sure the year model info is posted over on The Stovebolt Page - it was before . Pass me ? on the highway ? with a 6 banger ? you *must* have a ' Long Motor ' then
Chiro, I have never SEEN nor HEARD of anyone being able to put on late model chevy wheels on an old truck... Even if the offsets weren't all different, your bolt pattern certainly might be. (6x5", 6x5.5). Currently I am running a set of 255/75 R15s. The wheels are 7" with a 4" offset. With my disc brake conversion, which pushed the tired out one inch, the tires come right to the edge of the fender. I know the front of your truck isn't as wide as mine, but you may consider something similar!
Oops (! DUH !) Yes , I realized I'd forgotton the singlemost important bit of info : they're 16" 6 lug wheels . Sorry ! . -Nate
Not sure they are what you're looking for, but my truck has some later model Chevy truck wheels. Think they are off a heavy-half 4x4 from the 80s or maybe a 3/4 ton truck. Only downside is they have the 4x4 center caps on them. Sure you could find those for a song and a dance at any swap meet. I think they look pretty good even with the off-road style tires on them. Andy
SlugBug, I have a set of what sounds like the same wheels. They came off an 87 4wd 3/4 ton chevy. They fit great on the back but on my 3800 I had to use 1/4 inch spacers on the front so the wheel weights would clear the steering arm that is very close to the brake back plate. I have heard of folks grinding on the steering arm to gain clearance but I prefer ease of mind over messing with the safety of my truck. Gater
stock 16" wheel width and tire size you were right on the money with the 4" width measurement on your original stock 16" rims. You better check the proposed tire size, I really had to squeeze to get the 215/85 R16's I am running on stock 16" rims, but they are quite tall and skinny and given great service for the past 4 years. Only available in "d" range, but it is a truck. I don't think you can pinch 235/75 or 235/85 R16 tires on the original 16" rims. I run about 50 psi most of the time and haven't had much problems except initially getting the tubeless tires to seat on the original rims. My tire guy is a friend and something of an old rodder himself, he figured out how to seat the tire beads so they don,t leak right down. I am intrigued by the econoline wheels for future needs. Jim
