Pic Request: 275/50/17 on 8" Rim

[70StepsideC10]

I'm in the dreaded process of choosing wheels and tires for my '70 C10 stepside. I was hoping to use 17x9.5 TT II's on the rear but because it is a stepside and a bit tighter under the fenders back there, there is not enough clearance since they only come in 5.5" backspace. So I am thinking of using a 275/50/17 on a 17x8 wheel instead. I know lots of guys out there run these tires on a 17x8 wheel, but I can't seem to find any good pictures of how that wider tire looks on the narrower rim. I just want to make sure this wheel/tire combo looks good and the tires aren't bulging too much before I buy anything. If anyone has pics they can post to give me an idea I would appreciate that.

[Mike C]

On my iPad now so will post a pic this pm.

On my 69 short step I have 17x9 inch wheel with 5” backspace in the rear. I am running a 275 55 17. I have the wider 71-72 5 lug axle swapped int. This centers the tire very well between the inner bedside and the outer fender lip. My truck is leaf sprung and axle flipped for a 7 1/4” drop over the factory setup. My truck came with the extra leaf HD springs.

IME, the 5.5” backspacing is too much even with the wider axle housing. It would DEFINITELY be too much if you have the narrower housing. As you know 70 was a changeover year so later trucks would have the wider axle housing same as the 71-72 but earlier trucks MIGHT have the narrower housing.

EDIT: Here is a link to my wheel questions back in 2012 before I bought which has some good info:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554509


Here is a link to a thread that has picture of my truck in it:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=771118

[68Stepbed]

I used spacers and long reach lug nuts to run my 17x9.5 wheels. I had 275/55/17 rear tires. However, the 275/50/17 will work fine on a 17x8 wheel. What size tire do you plan to run in front?

[siggyfreud]

I don't think you can safely run a 275 on an 8" wheel. You'll get a lot of tire bulge, and it's going to handle like crap. Even my 255's bulge over a bit on my 8" wheel, and you're looking at almost an inch wider.

[68Stepbed]

https://www.nittotire.com/passenger-...formance-tire/


275/50ZR17 108W XL 214020 9.8 27.87 11.18 7.5-(8.5)-9.5

An 8" wheel is still in the recommended wheel width range.

[70StepsideC10]

Originally Posted by Mike C

On my iPad now so will post a pic this pm.

On my 69 short step I have 17x9 inch wheel with 5” backspace in the rear. I am running a 275 55 17. I have the wider 71-72 5 lug axle swapped int. This centers the tire very well between the inner bedside and the outer fender lip. My truck is leaf sprung and axle flipped for a 7 1/4” drop over the factory setup. My truck came with the extra leaf HD springs.

IME, the 5.5” backspacing is too much even with the wider axle housing. It would DEFINITELY be too much if you have the narrower housing. As you know 70 was a changeover year so later trucks would have the wider axle housing same as the 71-72 but earlier trucks MIGHT have the narrower housing.

EDIT: Here is a link to my wheel questions back in 2012 before I bought which has some good info:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554509


Here is a link to a thread that has picture of my truck in it:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=771118

I have the wider rear end in my truck. But even with that the 5.5" backspace is too much, particularly on the driver's side. It looks like the bedside is pushed out slightly on that side and I would only have about 7/8" from the rim to the bedside, and that doesn't include the tire, or clearance for tire flex or movement of the suspension.

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

I used spacers and long reach lug nuts to run my 17x9.5 wheels. I had 275/55/17 rear tires. However, the 275/50/17 will work fine on a 17x8 wheel. What size tire do you plan to run in front?

I would prefer not to use spacers. I know a lot of guys use them successfully, including yourself, but I would like to get something that fits without needing them. I plan on using Nitto NT450 255/50/17 for the front. The tire shop I use has ordered them in for me, I took advantage of a sale they had, but I can return them if necessary. However I noticed since I have ordered them that Nitto has discontinued the NT450 255/50/17 size. So that really narrows down options for a 255 front 275 rear combo in the future when they need to be replaced.

I have narrowed it down to these options if I go with 17x8 wheels all around. I'm not sure how the 275 will look on the 8" wheel, hence the picture request, and 235 may be skinnier than I want for the front, I can't really find any good, definitive pictures. Who knew this would be so difficult!!!

- 255/50/17 front, 275/50/17 rear
- 235/60/17 front, 255/60/17 rear
- 235/60/17 front, 275/55/17 rear

[Mike C]

Here is my truck again.

5 lug conversion, wider 71-72 5 lug axle. 17x9 5" backspace rear 275 55 17 and 235 55 17 in the front on a 17x8 4.5" backspace. This clears easily all the way around on my truck. 7 1/4" drop leaf spring flip rear and 4.5" coil/spindle in front from ECE.

I am very happy with this combo and would do it again except I can't find a 235 55 17 and 275 55 17 in the same tire set any longer. I don't see why the same tire wouldn't work on an 8" rim. With 1/2" less backspacing and 1" narrower wheel, the centerline should be in the same spot.