The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 6.00 x 16 Tires for a 1952 Carryall - Radials?

Hi everyone - I sure do appreciate all of the knowledge and insight on this forum - so the tires on the truck date from the early 1960s and it is amazing that they still hold air. This was a barn find, hence the condition that they still roll. What are people doing to find new tires - they are 4" riveted rims - I think I want radials but would be oK with bias-ply - Any suggestions for inputs? Coker Tire?

Thank you all!@ Lisa

Got mine from coker tire. Dave

Hi Lisa, this gets discussed quite often and there are several differing opinions. For me and my '53 panel, I use Michelins, size is 215/85R16 with tubes. I have original riveted 4" rims. I had tried bias plies first and they were barely okay. When I planned a longer trip (2500 miles) I decided on the radials and will be keeping them. Some say not to use tubes but I haven't had problems.

I would strongly advise against using tubes in a tubeless tire. Running tubes in them will void that warrantee, and can cause premature tire failure. If you need to run tubes, use them with tube type tires.

For example:
If you buy the Coker Classic radials, they may advise running a tube depending on which tire you chose.

Here's the challenge; old school rims and modern day radials. The problem is you may have a modern day radial/old school rim combination that will hold a bead on a tight heavy turn... or you may not. Running a tube helps to hold the bead and air within.

Running a tube in a tire that's designed to have a tube might be a solution you might find acceptable.

I have been running the Coker radials in the 6.50 x 16 size and I am quite satisfied with them. They are designed to be run with tubes and I am using radial tubes. I gave a longer review of them in this post https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1087036/Tire_review.html#Post1087036

When it comes time to replace them I will use the 6.00 x 16 size. I am running 3.55 rear gears and the truck is geared higher than I need or like.

Here's a handy link to help calculate the diameter of the tire you should buy based on your speed, differential gear ratio and RPM.

Simply enter three of the 4 fields, then click "calculate" on the field you want the answer to.

Tire diameter, gear ratio, speed and RPM calculator

I am hesitant to use tubeless tires tires on a rim designed for tube required. It wasn't until the 1957 year model until car manufacturers came up with a safe design for tubeless tires. I'm not sure about pickup wheels were redesigned. Of course in those days, pickups weren't subjected to the hard cornering like passenger cars were subjected to in those days.

Does besides Coker offer a tube-type radial in the size the original poster needs?

The Cokers are nice looking but really expensive.

I know several posters here run successfully run tubes in a non-tube 215/85/R16. Just curious if a tube radial even exists in that size outside of the specialty vintage tires.

JW51 - No one has yet posted information regarding a "modern tube radial".

Some of use have used tubes in modern tubeless radials with no problems. I prefer not to do so, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

If I was driving on a Le Mans style track or windy/curvy roads at high speeds, there might have been problems.

The 'burb doesn't have LeMans-style handling capabilities?

Back in the early seventies, my wife used to call me Parnelli Jones.

Back in the Stone Ages - Freddy Flinstone aka Goggles Paesano for a laugh! Goggles Paesano

Here's a link to Coker Classic modern day radial requires tube.
Modern Day Radial requires Tube

Thanks, I forgot about those tubed radials @$280
plus $19 tube

Blackwall @$260 - backordered
plus $19 tube

shipping charges not shown until after providing payment information

p

I've emailed Coker and I'd rate their customer service 10/10. Shoot them an email requesting shipping and they'll reply promptly.

Ouch.

That's right.

That is why I buy locally. All three styles/grades of Goodyear LT 215/85/R16 blackwalls are less expensive - two are under $150, installed (plus cost of tube, if you need one).

Be aware of the different diameters of a 6.00x16 and the modern "equivalent" 215/85/16 and how it will affect your hill climbing and overall performance.

The 215/85/16 radials I put on are two inches bigger diameter than the 6.50x16 bias ply. Great for lower rpms on the highway, but the straw breaking the camel's back in the mountains. (My 216-powered truck has 3.55 rear end, which ain't helping low end grunt.)

I've considered going back to 15's and using the modern equivalent of the old G78-15's that were on the truck when I got it, and used for many years with great (but slow) results. Modern equivalent for those is 215/75/15 and same diameter of the old 6.50x16.

Very good post, Skooter

I would not have converted to the 3.55 rear AND taller radial tires on my '48 216 Panel or on my 54 235 Suburban, when I lived in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in VA. Especially when both engines were tired.

I would easily go with my rebuilt 235 and either the 3.55 rear OR the taller tires (taller tires being easier and less expensive).
I might go with both the 3.55 and taller tires, and hope to be able to put up with a little "lugging" every so often (on non- Interstate driving).
Where I live now and where I'll live in NC would be no problem.

And, my 261 with the 3.55 and taller tires drives anywhere with no problems.

The moral of Skooter's and my comments: consider where you will be doing most of your driving AND consider the power/condition of your engine.