Still confusion in my feeble mind over tire sizes. I've read thru much of what's here, especially Denny Graham's thread from a couple years ago. I'm wanting to put a radial tire on stock 16 inch rims on my 1947 GMC 1/2 ton. The truck will be an occasional driver with a farm truck vibe. Black side walls. It looks to me like the 215-85r-16 is the way to go.(?) Not planning on using tubes, but I don't know if that's a good decision. I want my truck to look like this...eventually. (not sure who own's this truck but I dig it!)
I suppose my questions are: Will the 215-85r-16 fit on a stock rim? And, Do I need tubes in these?
If the tire is off the rim, just measure the distance between bead seats. With tires on, it's a little tougher. You'd need a caliper to reach around the tire, again measuring where the bead of the tire seats. The dimension using that method would be slightly larger due to the thickness of the metal, but you should be able to tell the difference between 4.0 or 4.5 inches width.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I really dig your taste in trucks! The photo in your first post is my truck.
Those tires are now 12 years old! With over 30,000 miles on them.
No tubes, stock rims. I can check the size when I get home.
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns..... 1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-Ton The GreenMachine In the Stovebolt Gallery
I think the rims are marked/ stamped with the size on the backside. It should read 16X4.00E or 16X4.50E, or something like that. Might have to scrub the dirt, grease, grime or rust off to see it.
And about epoxy. I've read on a couple threads about putting epoxy on the rivet areas to help keep them sealed. What kind of epoxy? Where do I get such epoxy?
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
I think the rims are marked/ stamped with the size on the backside. It should read 16X4.00E or 16X4.50E, or something like that. Might have to scrub the dirt, grease, grime or rust off to see it.
Nuthin on mine. There's #2 on the inside between the rivets but that's about it.
When you measure your wheels for width a 4.5" rim will actually be about 5.5" outside to outside
A3 indicated built Jan of 1953
Last edited by sstock; 03/07/20198:13 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Never had to use anything on wheels when going tubeless. Here is a 53 we did that may be the look you're going after. The tires are 215/85R but may be on 15" wheels---I don't remember but tire OD should be close.
I had 4 tubeless radials mounted and only one leaked past the rivets. Epoxy fixed that one. 2,000 miles ans still no leaks. I recommend epoxy on all of them just for good measure.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
I'm also looking for rims / tires for my 1954 3100 and going for the "Farm Truck" look. That green is a great color! The previous owner put 15" rims with too wide of tires on it: The rear tires are P275/60SR15 The front tires are P235/60R15
Considering 16" Wheel Vintiques rims .....but not sure their hub caps will clear the wheel bearing dust covers.
Got my tires on today. They are AT Turos, Whatever that is, 215-85R-16. At first they looked taller than I wanted, but I like em now. They have the farm truck vibe that I wanted. (I'll post this on the area that I'm posting my progress, figured I'd put it here for the future generations that are always asking the tire question.)
Yeah. I like the GMC front clip too. Certainly is something to be proud of. Thanks for your posting about tire sizes too. I will refer to it at a later date.
Got my tires on today. They are AT Turos, Whatever that is, 215-85R-16. At first they looked taller than I wanted, but I like em now. They have the farm truck vibe that I wanted. (I'll post this on the area that I'm posting my progress, figured I'd put it here for the future generations that are always asking the tire question.)
Where are the rims from? I'm looking for 16 x 6 for my 1954 chev 3100.
