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| | | Forums66 Topics128,195 Posts1,057,375 Members48,469 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 | Hey..I know its been discussed before..Just looking for a little more input. I want to run the biggest bias ply tire on my original 16" wheels on a '51 1/2 ton. Will 700 16's rub up front? 750's seem too big..650's a little too small.I know thats what it calls for. I want a 'tall' look. Thanks for any thoughts.
1951 1/2 ton AD
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Post a link to specs of the two tires, or post a link to the manufacturer listings for the line of tires.
There are some pros here who will offer good facts/opinions.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 | Not too good with links, but the tires are Tornels from Coker. Just wondering if 700 16's will work instead of 650 16's (both bias ply) Ive got the original 16" wheels..Thanks
1951 1/2 ton AD
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | 700x16 Tornel SKU: 71019 Tread Width: 5.80 Section Width: 8.10 Overall Diameter: 30.80 Max Load Capacity: 1580@45PSI Rim Width: 4.50 - 5.50 Tube Type or Tubeless: Tubeless
650x16 Tornel SKU: 67639 Tread Width: 5.50 Section Width: 7.40 Overall Diameter: 29.90 Max Load Capacity: 1610@45PSI Rim Width: 4.50 - 5.00 Tube Type or Tubeless: Tube Type | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 | Thanks Tim! Whats your opinion? I know its not a very interesting topic..Thanks again.
1951 1/2 ton AD
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | It is interesting to me.
I plan on putting radials on my '54 3100 pickup, and I doubt if they will fit on the side-mount tire carrier. I have to find a spare that will fit that carrier (radial ply or bias ply spare).
You should not have to worry about the 700 fitting in the wheel wells.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 | Its interesting to me because I want to get it right..The truck has mismatched tires on it now with one 750 16 that looks nice and big (and still skinny) but almost hits the fender. The 650 looks so small... Ive always wanted to run bias plys and on this truck Im going to give it a try.. I am mostly concerned with the old time appearance than safety. This will be an around town truck anyway. Im saving one 650 for my side mount fender which I will attempt to cut and fab from the Stovebolt tech page. Thanks
1951 1/2 ton AD
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 50 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 50 | For what its worth, I have 700 16 on the front and 750 16 on the back of my truck. I have a 48 body but a 52 frame. Also a 1/2 ton. Not on the road as of yet but I have been driving around the yard and driveway with no problems. Also on factory wheels. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 | That was a thought also. I was originally concerned about the front wheel wells. Thanks. That some serious work you did on that cab, nice.
1951 1/2 ton AD
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 310 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 310 | I've been running 7.00/16 Firestone bias ply tires on my '46 1/2 ton Chevy for years with no problems. Coker is pretty proud of them - big bucks - but they work fine and give me a look I like and a bit of added road speed due to the tire diameter. They will slightly rub on the drag link if I cut the wheel all the way to the left, but it hasn't been a problem. The tire size and a rear end change to a 3.55 ring and pinion caused my speedo to be way off, so I bought a converter years ago that has worked fine. It's my understanding that you need to have a rim width of 5 in. to run 7.00s - you may want to check what you've got. Also tried the 16s with 7.00s on a '51 GMC - worked fine: http://s456.photobucket.com/user/bl..._GMC_on_roadcopy.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
Last edited by David Bush; 12/30/2014 2:39 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 | Thanks, It seems that 700s may get pretty close to the front fender edge during a turn...a 650 seems to have only about an inch and half clear..There is a 750 16 mounted on one of my wheels now, so Im guessing that a 700 will work. I think I will go with the Tornels from Summit which are a little less expensive. Ive never had a speedo that wasnt funky anyway. Thanks
1951 1/2 ton AD
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 428 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 428 | I ran Cooper Transport 7:00-16 6 ply commercials front and back on my 51 1/2 ton for years in the late 80's early 90's. Never a clearance issue either end. I'm still running a pair of them on the rear of my 50 now. Almost 30 years old, I probably should buy something new. They are some tough tires, probably about 30,000 miles on them and the tread still looks new. They do ride a little rough. I don't believe Cooper makes them anymore.
Bob | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 47 | Thanks all, I started this chat..And Ive got my tires. 700/16's it is. Thanks John
1951 1/2 ton AD
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