The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Replacement tire size confirmation and suggestions

So as the title says I’m hoping to get some feedback on tire sizes. I’ve searched thru the topics but I guess I haven’t found what I was looking for. I’ll be needing to think about tires soon. And that also brings me to wheels. The truck I have is a 1954 Chevy 3100. Keeping the stock suspension, new springs all the way around also. Switching out the rear axle with one from a ZR2 3.73 gears. Front is receiving a power steering upgrade. But the stock height is staying the same. With these upgrades I’ll also have disc brakes all the way around. This brings a new bolt pattern. I picked up a set of 70’s GM 15” rally wheels to possibly use. I may go with 16” wheels instead. I like the look of the original tall skinny tire but there’s not much for options on today’s tire sizes. I’m also thinking about doing the mud tire in the rear with front “highway” tire.

Stock wheel size I think was 16x4.5 with an option of 15x5. My questions are about tire sizes. I believe the original size tires for 16” wheels would’ve been 6.00-16 or 6.50-16. In looking at those sizes converted to inches they are approximately
28.8”x6.8” and 29.7”x7.2” respectively. Does this sound correct so far?

I like the look of the taller tires as I said. If I were to keep the 15”x7” wheels I have I’m thinking that a 30”x9.5”x15” tire is closest for height and look best. Since a 235/75/15 measures approximately 29.0”x9.3”. So about an inch difference between those sizes. But the tire selection for the 30”x9.5”X15” tire is pretty limited compared to the 235/75/15. There are 31”x10.5”x15” tires also for added height but the width increases an inch also which I might want to stay away from.

The other option is to purchase a 16” wheel. But I don’t gain much as far as tire sizes just more money spent for another set of wheels. But I have seen several members suggest and run a 235/85/16 tire. Those look to measure out to approximately 31.7”x9.3”. Nice tall tire. How many of you guys run this size on a stock 3100 setup and are there any issues running them as far as rubbing or anything else? I like to run over size tires on my daily driver newer trucks so I actually prefer the look. I just don’t want to go wider than I have to.

Any thoughts or suggestions on if those are the correct original sizes and what you guys are running now to come close to the original size is appreciated. Any pictures would be great also. Thanks!

Adam

Adam--I have a 49 and a 51, both with 16" rims. We put Radials on the 49 255 75 R16-work fine. The 51 came with Firestone 6.00 16 92p Bias ply-still like new-FWIW Bill

I use 16" rims with Goodyear 235/85 R16. They look almost stock, ride well, and help keep engine rpm's down.

I run a 225/75/R16, and in my opinion, is the best looking tire size on our trucks with stock ride height. PM me if you want to see pics.