K20 Wheel/Tire Confirmation

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

iflyfisher

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Posts
104
Reaction score
211
Location
So Utah
First Name
Ken
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Thanks @bucket, Are you running a set of the 12x16.5's you linked in response to my original post on your C20? Frankly, I am not that concerned about running a bias ply tire. The truck might get 3-5k miles per year, mostly kicking around. I'm not going to be on the freeway putting 20k on in a given year. What worries me most is the fit if the tire is over 32" and getting a replacement. If a 33 will fit, then I have a few more options. As the truck has a full-size spare, losing a tire on the road shouldn't cause much stress. And I guess if the time comes when I cannot get a replacement set, I switch wheels then. The cost to blast and powdercoat the wheels shouldn't be much.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,438
Reaction score
28,342
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Thanks @bucket, Are you running a set of the 12x16.5's you linked in response to my original post on your C20? Frankly, I am not that concerned about running a bias ply tire. The truck might get 3-5k miles per year, mostly kicking around. I'm not going to be on the freeway putting 20k on in a given year. What worries me most is the fit if the tire is over 32" and getting a replacement. If a 33 will fit, then I have a few more options. As the truck has a full-size spare, losing a tire on the road shouldn't cause much stress. And I guess if the time comes when I cannot get a replacement set, I switch wheels then. The cost to blast and powdercoat the wheels shouldn't be much.

I've not run either of those tire models, not yet anyway. I've seen the Super Traxion STA's on trucks at shows and they look like a quality tire. There's at least one member here that runs them, but I can't remember who. I remember the Trail Breakers from years ago and then they were discontinued a while back. Since they are now available again as special order, my hunch is it's a different manufacturer than it used to be.

33's can fit, but it depends on brand, wheel dimensions, spring rate and use of the truck.
 

iflyfisher

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Posts
104
Reaction score
211
Location
So Utah
First Name
Ken
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Thanks @bucket. Seems like every decision re this truck takes so much time to research. Great to have the internet and resources so available :)
 

iflyfisher

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Posts
104
Reaction score
211
Location
So Utah
First Name
Ken
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
After days of searching, I have given up on using the 16.5 wheels. I didn't like any of the tires I found that would remotely work with the wheel and my truck. I still want a white steel wheel, so I will likely go with a U.S. Wheel OE (Series 664) or similar in a 16x8. That wheel will give me lots of tire options while still giving the truck that cool retro look. Thanks everyone for your input and help.
 

iflyfisher

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Posts
104
Reaction score
211
Location
So Utah
First Name
Ken
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Indeed. But getting wheels and good tires on will be a good start. Based on research, I think 285/75’s will fit my truck. I’m a little concerned as the 8” version of the rims has +19mm of offset and 5.25” of back space.
 
Last edited:

iflyfisher

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Posts
104
Reaction score
211
Location
So Utah
First Name
Ken
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Hey Folks, I am a bit concerned whether 285/75 R16 would fit on my stock K20 using the US Wheel 16x8 wheel with +19MM of offset and backspace of 5.25". I likely won't run tires much wider, so I could mount them on the US Wheel 16x7.5, which has +13MM of offset and 4.5" of backspace. This latter wheel would provide a bit more room. I'd prefer going with the wider wheel in case I do lift the truck later and want a bit wider tire. Wat do you folks with more experience think?

Thanks,

Ken
 

Shorty81

Baby Boomer
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
3,101
Reaction score
5,778
Location
North West ohio
First Name
Darren
Truck Year
86
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
496
Take a look at Wheel Vintiques. They have 16-8 and 16-10 with 4" back space that have the hubcaps lugs. They come black, you can paint them, they are not cheap. These are going on my truck!!
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,917
Reaction score
4,116
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
5.25” of back space is probably too much for what you’re looking for.

These aren’t the best pictures of his truck but Frankenchevy has 16x8” wheels with 4.5” of BS. Tires are 285s. They don’t rub, but his truck is a K30 like mine. They are about 2” taller from the factory than a K20. But you can see if you had another 3/4” of back space on an 8” wheel they would probably look too sucked in.

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,438
Reaction score
28,342
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Take a look at Wheel Vintiques. They have 16-8 and 16-10 with 4" back space that have the hubcaps lugs. They come black, you can paint them, they are not cheap. These are going on my truck!!

These are what I would go with as well. Proper size and spacing, along with the all important hubcap nubs.
 

iflyfisher

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Posts
104
Reaction score
211
Location
So Utah
First Name
Ken
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Thanks @Shorty81, @Craig 85, @bucket. That is exactly what I needed! I agree, Craig, I wouldn't want my wheels and tires tucked any more under the well. I had hoped to go with the US Wheel as they are already powder coated. I'll have some added cost with the Vintiques to powder coat but looks like the fit will be much better. I'll get the 16x8 wheels ordered. :)

Ken
 

iflyfisher

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Posts
104
Reaction score
211
Location
So Utah
First Name
Ken
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Here is the truck with the 16x8 Wheel Vintiques, Toyo Open Country III A/T - 285/75, and Tuff Country 2” lift.
You must be registered for see images
 

Shorty81

Baby Boomer
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
3,101
Reaction score
5,778
Location
North West ohio
First Name
Darren
Truck Year
86
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
496
Here is the truck with the 16x8 Wheel Vintiques, Toyo Open Country III A/T - 285/75, and Tuff Country 2” lift.
You must be registered for see images attach
That looks awesome!! The way they are supposed to look!!
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,693
Reaction score
6,869
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Here is the truck with the 16x8 Wheel Vintiques, Toyo Open Country III A/T - 285/75, and Tuff Country 2” lift.
You must be registered for see images attach
are those powder coated? Some OEM hub caps will finish that nicely
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,157
Posts
950,582
Members
36,271
Latest member
jstewart7501
Top