Tires for Stock Rims '79 K20

I have read a few posts but I am still not sure: Can I use radial tires on stock 16" tube-type rims?

I bought the truck with 235/85 R16 radial tires, the Truck's Line Sticker says 7.50 x 16 Tube tires. (pretty sure the rims are stock)

I am getting the stock rims powder coated white and want the largest/widest tire that will fit the rim PROPERLY.

I found inexpensive radial tires at Walmart $116.00: Travelstar 265/75 R16 (approx. 32x10.5)

Will these tires, or something similar, fit the rims properly? Thanks!

Lots of tire sizes will fit properly.

Although, I do question the need for a "proper" fitting tire when you are choosing what seems to be the lowest quality tire you can find. Imho, a quality tire that may be slightly "too" wide on a certain rim is a far better choice than a low quality tire. For both safety and longevity.

Thanks for your quick answer!

What is the tallest/widest (metric) radial tire I can use on this rim safely?

Like you mentioned, I am not a fan of off-brand tires either.

If this K20 project became a daily driver, I would prob'ly spring for GY Wranglers.

Thanks Boss!

its not considered appropiate to use bias ply wheels with Radials

But I am currently using unknown year mix of ford and GM one piece wheel 16s with 10 ply ko2, but im not on the highway

I have another 2 on my trailer with 10 ply otherk kinds, and I have 1 spare wheel in the same with a wildcat tire.



If the wheels are in great shape, I Dont see why you cannot. But it would be wise to buy new wheels in my opinion, you get the option to change the appearance. or get a set powder coated while one is in the shop. DO you plan to use winter tires?




Dont get goodyear wranglers. Unless you plan to put less than 1k miles a year on your tire and dont want to spend anymore for a tire youll chuck far before its worn out, thats not wise.

well rounded size, if you are interested i can check a pic for the size. I would personally stick to a narrower tall tire for 1) speedometer
2) it just looks right

This is the stock size my truck had

Mind you, I have a broken leaf on the passenger side so its a little higher than it should be, and the rest of the springs are likely sagged over time, and the front bumper is heavy, but I also have a heavier duty frame , heavy front and rear springs RPO. not sure if yours do OP but heres just some of my truck and some tires

Also check the GVW of your truck, and if it’s the high GVW (8400 or 8600 lb) decide if you want to buy the correct E load rating tires. Standard light truck tires will fit the wheels, but they are load rated for 1/2 tons and some 3/4 tons. It just depends on how you plan to use the truck.

235/85R16E is probably the closest height to stock, but 245/75R16E will also be pretty close.

Thanks guys-

Always had good luck with Wranglers on my F-150 (130,000 miles on the first set, 30,000 on the current set-just getting broken in).
(I know you don't believe me; I can live with that.)

As for the Squarebody K20, not going to carry heavy loads. Just want a tire/rim that looks stock, just a little taller/wider.

I have a set of 37-12.50 16.5 Hummer tires on the Squarebody now, looks really cool, but they are way too big.
(Just wanted to see what it would look like.)

May even end-up with a 7.50-16 tube-type Deestone or Powerking bias ply tire, but they are very thin. (the 9.00-16's are very expensive)

Lewman2022 said:

Thanks guys-

Always had good luck with Wranglers on my F-150 (130,000 miles on the first set, 30,000 on the current set-just getting broken in).
(I know you don't believe me; I can live with that.)

As for the Squarebody K20, not going to carry heavy loads. Just want a tire/rim that looks stock, just a little taller/wider.

I have a set of 37-12.50 16.5 Hummer tires on the Squarebody now, looks really cool, but they are way too big.
(Just wanted to see what it would look like.)

May even end-up with a 7.50-16 tube-type Deestone or Powerking bias ply tire, but they are very thin. (the 9.00-16's are very expensive)

Click to expand...

how old are those wranglers? goodyear makes more than 1 model with the name wrangler in it.
some are top line model tires.

Yeah, Goodyear puts the wrangler name on basically every model.

@AuroraGirl do you remember the thread a while back were there was an in depth discussion on the different rim types? I haven't found it yet.

Not saying you should do it, but I run 315/75's on my K30 and my 60 F250 on stock steel wheels. I off road the K30 & have never blown a bead, although I don't air down.

bucket said:

Yeah, Goodyear puts the wrangler name on basically every model.

@AuroraGirl do you remember the thread a while back were there was an in depth discussion on the different rim types? I haven't found it yet.

Click to expand...

Turbo4whl splained to us!

bucket said:

Yeah, Goodyear puts the wrangler name on basically every model.

@AuroraGirl do you remember the thread a while back were there was an in depth discussion on the different rim types? I haven't found it yet.

Click to expand...

Turbo, you, and myself have a private chat where we discussed it all in detail, it would be worth noting it somewhere for others ofc with turbos consent too

Apparently i think we determined the safety bead if present, means its can be used?

Yes, this question has been asked before in similar fashion.
I didn’t even consider using the factory 16” wheels my ‘78 came with for anything other than shop rollers.
New 17” steel wheels for me, not outrageous on the price, and many more tire options.

Lewman2022 said:

I have read a few posts but I am still not sure: Can I use radial tires on stock 16" tube-type rims?

I bought the truck with 235/85 R16 radial tires, the Truck's Line Sticker says 7.50 x 16 Tube tires. (pretty sure the rims are stock)

I am getting the stock rims powder coated white and want the largest/widest tire that will fit the rim PROPERLY.

I found inexpensive radial tires at Walmart $116.00: Travelstar 265/75 R16 (approx. 32x10.5)

Will these tires, or something similar, fit the rims properly? Thanks!

Click to expand...

You didn’t say how wide the rims are but stock would be how wide? But assuming they are 265/75/16 will be ok width wise, even if they’re GY Wranglers. Lol. Nothing inherently wrong with any of the dozens of Wrangler tire models.
There’s some conjecture about tube vs tubeless rims and which have safety beads or not. However if you research it, safety beads have nothing to do with bias vs radial afaik. And my opinion is they don’t serve a different purpose whether tube or tubeless. Radial or bias.
Safety bead is about keeping the tire in place with low/no pressure.
The bias/radial, tube/tubeless changes took place over decades. And the mandate for safety beads was before the end of OE tube tires.
Just put some tires on it if the rims are straight. It will be fine.
Plus if they’re ‘79 wheels I think they’d have safety beads anyways.

This is not a rabbit hole you need to worry about although some do.