1960 gmc 4000 grain truck

[Abomb]

I'm new to this particular forum, but I'm a long time Gmc/chevy 1/2 ton truck guy and recently bought my first big truck. Brought it down from kansas and it has a pretty clean cab on it with a later model v8 and 4 speed previous owners swapped into it plus a 2 speed rear axle and tilt bed. My goal is to fix it up enough to use it for actual work like hauling some dirt and steel. First thing I'm working on soon is the brake system. The stock booster is dead and I'm going to upgrade to a modern booster and cylinder, replace any lines if needed, wheel cylinders, shoes, clean and paint, maintenance, etc. until the system works and I can start driving it around town on short trips. At the same time, I need tires for it and I'm wondering if any of you guys know the best route to take. It has 8.25-20 E-rated tires with tubes and the 6 lug stock steel wheels with lock rings. The tires are at least 20 years old but they all hold air and maybe I can use them for a while since I won't be maxing out the loads or driving on major highways at all. 50mph at the most. I have called around to several tire shops for 20 inch commercial tires and i get the impression it is not popular these days in that size. Do I really need to convert to 22.5 wheels and tires to get the best bang for the buck and availability of used tires? Not trying to spend 2k on wheels/tires, but I just haven't been in the big truck world until now so I'm not familiar with options.

[lizziemeister'sV6]

The #1 problem you will have with the wheels you have is to fdnd someone who will touch due to the lock/split rims. You best bet would be fine some used Budd wheels or one piece steel wheels.

[James]

Someone in the truck past had swapped out the GMC V6 and installed a SBC.

[Abomb]

Originally Posted by lizziemeister'sV6

The #1 problem you will have with the wheels you have is to fdnd someone who will touch due to the lock/split rims. You best bet would be fine some used Budd wheels or one piece steel wheels.

Actually I was planning on handling them myself. The wheels are solid and they are the three piece design which seems much less dangerous than the two piece version. I just need a set of decent used tires and I'll buy new tubes and flaps. I also need to find lugnuts and studs. This weekend I will take off the front driver side wheel and drive out a couple of the studs. One is broken off and so I need to remove that one anyway and then another one so I can get dimensions from it and see what I can find online to match up to.

Originally Posted by James

Someone in the truck past had swapped out the GMC V6 and installed a SBC.

Yes I wanted to find a truck with the V6 and I am looking for a second complete truck, but at least this one starts right up and works for now. If it ever gives me real problems then I'll swap a more modern drivetrain into this one. I have a few engines laying around.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

That's a SLICK looking truck! Those tires might last you the rest of your life unless you get crazy and overload it.
I'd paint the wheels and swap out that booster and drive real slow through downtown. Drive the girls just crazy! Then pile them up like cordwood in the back!