I am trying to long distance advise my mother-in-law on tires to get my late father-in-law’s 46 Chevy pickup yard drivable again (and on the road some day).
I believe the truck is a late 46 ½-ton, VIN is 6DPC8###.
Currently, I believe it has 8.55-15 tires on what I assume are the original 6-lug wheels. I think the original tires may have been 6.70-15, but the tire spec I found for the 15” wheel options on a 46 ½-ton did not list the complete size (only 15” 6-ply).
Am I correct that these wheels are “split rim” or ‘lock ring” type? Her regular tire dealer does agricultural and truck tires so this may not be an issue.
Would 215/75r15 radials work? That seemed to be the closest widely available radial tire. Inexpensive SUV type passenger tires in that size have a load rating well exceeding the gross vehicle weight. They would be little bit smaller diameter than what is on now, but I wasn’t sure if a 225/75/15 or 235/75/15 would be too wide for the rims.
Finally, would I still need tubes in these wheels with radials?
Michael, those look like regular one-piece wheels to me. Could be my monitor or something, but if I'm right you could use something like a radial tubeless 205/75 R15 tire or you could use the 215/75 R15 tires. The 205 will be a little less wide but should have plenty of load rating.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
One-piece drop center wheels lines up with the description for the 1/2-ton rims I was just looking at in the 42-47 service manual. Someone told my mother-in-law they were split rims though.
Can anyone confirm Jon's opinion that they look like one-piece wheels, or have a differing opinion? I am about a 14 hour drive away from the truck, so I only have pictures to go off of.
Can you clarify your statement for a newbie? Are you saying that they are one-piece drop center wheels, or are you saying they have a separate lock ring?
Sorry, I have tried to research but I am still not clear on the wheel types of this era truck.
Yes you will need tubes and liners on your split rims.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
If there is anyone else out there able to tell (or offer an educated guess) from the pictures if they are one piece wheels, or two piece "split rims", feel free to chime in... I am slightly out of my automotive wheelhouse with the "46, so clarification of my questions regarding the prior posts would also be welcome and appreciated.
If they are split rims and that ends up a problem for getting tires mounted, are there budget friendly aftermarket wheels which work without hitting/rubbing in front on a stock '46 1/2-ton?
Thank you for the specific description, Roy Rodgers!
Got it- two-piece wheels with a lock ring like the service manual describes for the 3/4-ton.
It is very helpful to be able to accurately describe the exact type of rims to the tire shop since I am communicating from out of state.
Thanks also for the confirmation on the tire size working and needing the tube. (I guess the tube is self evident now since they are not one-piece wheels)
