The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk question about wheels and tires

Hey all. Great forum here. I've enjoyed browsing quite a bit.

I own a 1949 GMC 3/4 ton (4 speed with 4.57 gear)

I have to do something about the bias plys and stock wheels...please help.

As with anything else, can't really find a definitive answer. I love the bias look, but for a daily driver, it's not the best choice. I'd simply like to change over to a 1 piece steel wheel, paint it black, put the stock (or similar dish covers) on em, and a good radial tire. I've heard so many things at this point. Called Coker...they said order what you think will find and try it...but if installed, no returns so. What are you guys doing? Is there a simple bolt on wheel and tire combo that will work? I've also heard late 70/early 80 4WD, 1 ton 8 lug Chevy will bolt right on without spacers. Others have said I have to go with a 16" wheel...5.5 inch, 6 inch, 7 inch...... 225/70/15 or 225/65/16, etc.....so many answers. All that said....

Have any of you figured out the easiest and best combo for stock look that will bolt right on? Any help would be greatly appreciated. And I don't mind an aftermarket cap...I'll just put GMC stickers on them.

Thanks....appreciate it.

My '37 and '51 1/2 tons have Coker radials on them (original size 6.00-16) with stock wheels. I happen to love the original look, no whitewalls for me with the skinny tires and you don't have to worry about back spacing or rubbing tie rod, etc. The radials come with inner tubes because the stock wheels are riveted together and you don't know if they will hold air, although they often do. On both trucks it totally changes the handling and ride of the truck, compared to bias tires.

Kent

Nice looking truck. I'm assuming that you have 8 lug rims?

Thank you very much. I have 8 lug split rims. I have also heard you can run tube with radials on the split rims but honestly, I dont want to fool around with them. I would like to run the widest rim and tire possible and with that 4.57, gaining a little height on the rear wouldnt be a bad thing either. Current tire size is 7.00 x 15 which closely matches that 225/70/15 i mentioned.

Very sweet truck. Welcome to the site, nice to have another Southern Bolter in the mix.

I retrofitted a set of GM (1991 Suburban 3500) rims to my truck and added clips for the original hubcaps. These will bolt right on the rear but require changes to the front because the tie-rod ends will rub, there are a few ways to accomplish this, send me a PM if you want all the details.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129054429/in/album-72157631867396207/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/48992121427/in/album-72157631868452754/

Not sure about the size you need but I have been running Coker radials in the 6.50 x 16 size in my Chevy 1/2 ton. They require radial tubes according to Coker. My rims are powder coated inside and out so they would likely work with tubeless. The tires look like bias plys and have served me well for a few thousand miles so far and still look new.

Installed new tires and rims on my 1954 - huge improvement with the steering and handling!
I really like the 29.5" tall radials that look like the stock bias ply.
I'm running 40 psi and they ride good.

For reference, this is what I bought:
Rims and hub caps from Jim Carter Trucks

Rims: MST150 steel 15x5 6 lug 5.5 bolt pattern
Chrome Hub Caps: MST159

Tires from Tires-easy.com
ST205/90R -15 Radial

If I ain't mistaken, the tire size you listed are trailer tires I think.???

Yep, any tire that starts with ST is a trailer tire. You can use passenger tires on a trailer but not trailer tires on a passenger vehicle.

Hey all...thank you for taking the time to respond. After some phone calls, taking some measurements, and speaking to someone who seemed very knowledgeable as well at Coaker, it seems the wheel below will bolt right on with no spacers required for the front. Being a 16" and only a 4" backspacing, it seems it will clear the tie rod. Now...to find the tire to fit with the proper load rating. Pretty much all sizes with the width and aspect ratio combo that would result in a height very close to a 7x15 bias, is only available in an "XL" load rating...basically, a slightly stronger passenger car tire. Definitely not the best choice. So...the quest continues. In all honesty, I'm not terrified of split ring rims. With a flapper, radial tube, and radial tire, the stock 15s would work just fine too. Split ring rims can be dealt with quite safely as long as one is aware of necessary precautions. that said, I may very well just order some F Load rated 15s and put em on the stock wheels. Option 2, the bias look radials from Coaker.

https://www.cokertire.com/wheels/8-lug-wheel-primed-16x6.html

I used Dexstar am20766 trailer rims on my 1 ton. I haven’t put the hub cap clips on yet, but have read that it’s simply a job of riveting them onto the rim. They are 16” rims and I run 215/85/16 on them. You will lose a little bit in tire height but it sure rolls nicely. These were a very good modern alternative. Go to their site and look up FAQ about this model rim. You will find a lot of info regarding their fit on 3/4 and 1 ton chevs/gmcs from these years.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AkvxEaSMRTxbzi6q8

Plus they look original...ish.

Beautiful truck. Congrats!

Years ago I put P225/75R15 radials with tubes and flaps on the original 2-piece wheels of my 50 Chevy 3600, and they ran great. They are not as tall as the bias 700-15 tires. And they were load range "B" tires. If you can get LT tires they will have a higher load rating, but I don't know about availability in that size.

The suspension on my truck is the same as a trailer, and I don't go over 45 MPH with original drive train. No freeways or high speed corners. No problems that I can see running these tires.
Others are running them as well.
And - they have to be better than the original bias ply that came on the truck in 1954.

Word of caution since this thread has wandered off the deep end and gone to the dark side. Here is the issue with non DOT certified wheels/tires. If you are involved in an incident or accident while on public roads and the investigating officer does not find the proper DOT markings on the wheel/tire you are at the very least partially responsible for damages or injury. Running non legal equipment on your truck is not endorsed by Stovebolt.com under any circumstances. 🛠

Kevin, very nice truck.

Welcome

John

Here's what I've come to fellas. I'm going to keep my stock split ring rims and caps, pop in a new flap, radial tube, and run a F Load rated Radial. Thanks for all the input.

Cancel that. Couldnt leave it alone. Haha. Ok...heres the skinny. A stock, 1949 GMC 150, with a stock 15x6 8 lug split ring rim, has a 3 1/2" backspace. To clear the tie rod, the wheel must have that backspace or less. The closest commonly available wheel has a 4" backspace. So....I will be welding up a set of 7x16" steel wheels with a 3 1/2 inch backspace, and mount a 235/70/16 on it. That will be approx 1.2" taller than a 7x15 bias on a 15" wheel. Is anyone out there interested in a set of these wheels? The centers will accept the domed caps from coaker which are on backorder, or I may make a clip kit you can use with your stock cap. Anyone interested? This will result in a true bolt on conversion kit to radial 1 piece wheels for these trucks. A 225/70 or 75/16 could also be used if you wish to be closer to stock ride height. They would be black powdercoat. If I'm fixturing up, might as well make a few.

I find it strange how a trailer tire can handle loads on a work trailer carrying up to 8-10,00 lbs rolling down the highway at 70 mph, but they can’t “safely” drive an old pickup in a straight line at 50mph. The DOT must know something we don’t...or it’s a money grab. Hmmmm. Have I shut this thread down? 😬

Of course, I know you’re right, Martin, but it still seems ridiculous to me. 😃 I’m glad it’s not that nit picky up here.

Let's switch it around a little.
Does anyone else run truck tires on a trailer.
Martin, is that legal?

For those who have not met Martin. he is a retired LEO and a sharp cookie.
Don

I haven’t eaten a cookie in days.
Don, with reference to truck tires on a trailer. If the load rating is appropriate for the load your carrying all is well. Here in Oklahoma the only time Dot ratings come into play is when you are pulled out of line at the scale house for inspection or you are involved in a fatal accident.

kevinb1450, just a friendly word of warning. Soliciting orders, for a product that, unless tested and Dot approved, is not a Stovebolt approved activity. Selling/marketing outside the Swap Meet Forum is against Stovebolt rules.

Thanks Martin for the info.
I do not and will not, run trailer tires on a vehicle.
How ever, I have found that DOT truck tires on a trailer, do wear and hold up better.

Oh and the cookie comment was not about those little sugar bombs.
Donuts are another thing though. (pun intended).

Don

I should have been more clear...that was said more in jest than an actual solicitation. I'm not in the business of making wheels nor do I want to be.

No problem.