Bear with me..another wheel/tire Q
 

My '72 1/2 ton LWB came with 235-75R-15s and are in decent shape so I want to keep them. The rims I think are later model 5 lug however look like cr*p. I was thinking about getting some ralleys and have a couple of questions. I know nothing about tires and rims so bear with me.
I assume in order to keep these tires I need 15" wheels-yes?

DO 15" wheels measure 15" across the face(diameter)?

What about width--8" , 7" does it matter?

What about back spacing? Sugestions?

Will most car ralleys (like were on late 60s/early70s Camaros/ Chevelles etc..) fit as long as I get the right size,with the correct back spacing or should I look for truck ralleys?

I am looking for a stock like appearance( I'm not interested in 26" polished out the ying -yang look--not that there is anything wrong with that look), but this truck will be essentially a daily driver.
Mike:bowtie:

Mark,

Here is a pic with chrome rallies from wheel vintiques....they are 15X8 with 4.5" back spacing on the front and 15X10 with 5" back spacing on the back. The tires are 275/60's all the way around.

Very nice! I guess 15x8s would probably work for me ?
Mike

Hey Mike,

I personally like the rallies....my truck had steel rallies with trim rings when I bought it....however for $400 I could have nice chromed ones...so thats what I went for. Wheel Vintiques was really nice but I am sure you can find nice used steelies for cheap...your choice....I am changing the rear tires to 325/50-15's....extra width but same sidewall.

15" rims need 15" tires. If you measure the OD of the rim, it will be closer to 16" since the official rim measurement is taken from the tire bead seat. Either 7 or 8 inch width will be OK on the 75 series tires, but the 7's would be better IMO. Width is also measure from the tire bead seat, so measuring outside to outside on a 7" rim would be closer to 8". 9" on an 8" rim outside to outside. If it were me, I'd wait until I needed new tires and upgrade to 16" rims at the same time.

Good info guys. Mike C.........just curious......16" rims coz they look better/are more in proportion to the truck.......or another reason?
Mike

i think a lot of what mike c is saying is because of personal preferrence. to answer the question about the car rims fitting, i don't think so. although it depends. these trucks from '71-'97 or so have a 5(lug)x5(inch) bolt pattern. that means that any 5x5 rim will fit, and they come in different widths, different heights, and different backspacings. it is all pretty much a matter of personal preferrence though.

I like the slightly larger wheels look. It is also easier to get real truck tires, not just passenger car tires. You can have a slightly lower tire profile without reducing the OD of the tire so your speedo will stay accurate.

Makes sense.
I'll probably hold off for right now unless I come across a very good deal on 15's.
mike

Mike, a 255-70 or 60 on a 7 or 8'' rim looks good. I perfer to keep the same size that way you can rotate em'. Ralleys look fine and easy to find.