The 17" Wheel Dilemma
 

I have a new-to-me '65 C30 with optional 17" three piece wheels, proper and patina'd dog dish hub caps, and 7.50-17 tube-type bias ply tires. The four tires on the truck hold air but are very old and I wouldn't want to go very far or very fast with them. The spare was flat and I took that apart in order to further my education on old style lock-ring rims. It's a clever and functional design that, with proper care and precaution, should not be feared. The big plus is the ability to mount tires with hand tools.

The spare wheel that I took apart was a little rusty but certainly usable with a little wire brush work. The lock ring is not damaged and the "flap" is good. I'm sure I'd need to but four new tubes to go with new tires.

The downside of course is the lack of tires. I can find just two different truck tires in 7.50-17 from Tornell and STA. If I went with 16" steel wheels - which I have but they aren't the correct vintage - there are plenty of modern radial tire choices in 235/85R16. I'd lose about 2.5" in tire height but save a bunch on tires. I'd also lose the tall skinny pie-crust sidewall look of the 10-ply bias tires. That's the dilemma - stay original with old-skool bias tires or move up to 16" drop center steel wheels and tubeless radial tires. As you can see, this is a work truck so tall skinny tires are appropriate.

I have no particular plans for the truck other than to fix up a few things to make a bit more drivable. Most definitely the patina earned by 50 years on the Kansas high plains will stay!

Thoughts? Other ideas to consider?

Thanks...ned.

Re: The 17" Wheel Dilemma
 

Looks like Dtkarst's old c30.

Re: The 17" Wheel Dilemma
 

It is and it now lives in Northern Illinois. I am confident that it had never traveled as far or as fast until a friend and I trailered it home a week ago.

Re: The 17" Wheel Dilemma
 

Loaded up for the trip to Illinois a week ago Friday. Look real close at the sign in the background. ;)

Re: The 17" Wheel Dilemma
 

http://www.loadstartrailertires.com/...ar-_p_951.html

Heres a 16 inch tire suggestion

Re: The 17" Wheel Dilemma
 

Great suggestion. Pie-crust goodness in a tubeless 16" bias tire. Thanks.

Re: The 17" Wheel Dilemma
 

I would just order the 7.50-17 bias ply tires continue to preserve history. THey have the right look, and height and the original rims accept the correct hubcap. You really want to stay away from a smaller height tire on a low geared vehicle. Have them mounted by a professional truck tire dealer with proper equipment and always carry a good spare tire in case of flat.

Re: The 17" Wheel Dilemma
 

Yeah, the correct wheels are real neat to see IMO; I'd have kept them if mine were in decent shape and I didn't want a wider mud-tread tire. I think the truck really looks nice with them.

FWIW, a 255/85R16 is about the same height as a 7.50-17. More money than the common 235/85R16 though, and somewhat hard to find.

You can get bias 16" tubeless tires, but why? If you want to run highway tread bias ply tires, why not run them on your 17's? You can get them for $164. The tubes will cost a little more if you need them, but how many times are you going to be needing new tires/tubes?

Also, you can change tubeless tires all day long by hand with bars/spoons; I do it on all my stuff. Regarding field repair; tube-type tires don't have the potential bead seating issue tubeless do, but that's nothing a little shot of ether won't handle...