The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 235/85/R16 tires for AD truck

I need tires for my 53 half ton. I have original wheels on it. I have located a like new set of 235/85/R16 tires at a reasonable price. I have seen on this forum, and on others that the ideal size is 215/85/R16. In my mind, the 235 tires are probably close enough to work reasonably well. I'm curious about the opinions of others, before I let my money go. Your opinions will be much appreciated.
Thanks

My guess is that the 235/85R16's will be too big for your AD. That size is the stock size for my '99 Ford F250 Superduty. They're nearly 32 inches rolling diameter, and they also mount on a 7 inch wide rim, nearly twice as wide as a stock AD 16 inch rim. The 215/85R16's fit on a 6" rim (normally) and are 30 inches in diameter.

This is a Tire size and Conversion Calculator that I have found useful.
https://www.americastire.com/learn/tire-size-calculator?cid=_kenshoo_clickid_&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=tire%20calculator&utm_content=76897135440358&utm_campaign=Non%20Brand%20-%20Tires%20|%20Exact%20(Los%20Angeles)&msclkid=6592ccfa3abc157df58a91bfe0fc6a55&ef_id=W8TIKgAAAG07RAt0:20190803190251:s

Things to consider. Unsprung weight, 235's are heaver than 215's hence brakes will be a little less effective and it'll ride a bit rougher. The bigger consideration is wheel offset and tie-rod clearance. With the 16" wheels I'm running 215's JUST clear the tie rods. No way 235's would work for me without different perhaps different/wider with more offset wheels and or spacers.

On the plus side the increased diameter would be a good thing on the rear since it'd effectively lower rpm making for a bit nicer highway cruiser.

I have the 235/85/R16's on my '48 3/4-ton and really like them. Check the 1st picture on my web site in my signature.

The biggest problem for the 3/4-ton, at least, is finding rims that won't touch the tie rod ends.

I believe that the tie rod interference comes into play with rims not tires.

A 235 MM tread width converts to 9 1/4" of rubber on the road- - - -I hope you've been eating your Wheaties every morning and/or working out at the gym regularly. Steering that thing without power assist is going to be a real workout!
Jerry

Mike--I put 255-75-R16 on my 49 and they work fine--Will put the same on my 51-3100 soon, They have Bias ply Firestones now--Bill

Gosh, just had my 75th and didn't know I was such a powerful force on the steering wheel with my 235's. Parallel parking has been a pain in the a** no matter the tire on my '48. I like them on my 3/4-ton flatbed.

They have that firm and fully-packed look but I don't know how they would look on a 1/2-ton. Might be too big.

They might look a little "balloony", depending on the 15"/16" wheel/rim.

LT215/85R16 fit very nicely my 16" 1954 1/2 ton rims (tubeless or tube, depending on the condition of the wheel/rim).
Play around with the PSI, by increasing/decreasing around 31 psi, until you find the best ease-of-steering vs squirreliness (wandering) at high speeds.

Your 1953 wheels should be the same width as my 1954 wheels (standard 1949 and earlier wheels were narrower)?

I ran 225 85R 16's on my 49 3100 for a while and they did OK. I bought 'em used in the case tubeless radials wouldn't work on my rims. They did.
When I replaced them with new I went with 215 85R 16's and I like them much better. Steering is easier and the tires don't rub except when I try to take a corner too fast, otherwise IMHO 215's are a much better choice for a 1/2 ton AD with manual steering.
Dave