The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1949 3/4 ton - Rim Modification Safety

I've got a '49 3/4 ton and am looking to loose the split rims.

I've found a set of Chevy 16" x 7" 8 lugs, but would like to use narrow bias ply tires (Tornel Highway 7.00 16".) Is it common and is it safe to have modern rims narrowed to work with narrower bias ply tires? It appears they would have to be 5" wide to be the same width as factory original rims.

Thanks for the help!