The 17" Wheel Dilemma

[ncoonen]

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.