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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 65 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 65 | Hi, My dads 1951 3100 is currently at the shop after sitting since 2016 or so. It had a bad wiring harness, just falling apart. Finally stopped making excuses and towed it to a good electrical shop with a brand new harness i got from Jim Carter. It has old radials on it that are trash. 225-75-R15s I think. I always thought the wheels were original (black with factory small hubcaps), but read in various places that wheels went to 16" in 1951 and up. This kind of bothers us as the truck is very original besides paint work. I was also going to take the wheels to be straightened and powder coated. Are OEM 16" wheels available used anywhere? Cant seem to find them. [img] https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Tn9wFv_Q_J26YtkoHHc-iZTQ[/img] Looking to run 7.00-15, traction tires in the back. Think this will be a great look. https://www.cokertire.com/tires/700-15-sta-super-transport.html#https://www.cokertire.com/tires/sta-traxion-700-15.htmlThank You for the advice, reading mixed things about all of this.
1951 1/2 Ton 216ci 4spd
1955 3/4 Ton NAPCO 235ci 4spd
1959 1/2 Ton stepside 235ci 4spd
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 209 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 209 | I believe 15's were an option for those. My 51 has radials because it has newer wheels and I had the tires on an S10 Blazer we were scrapping. I have that combination of 700's on my 66 P100 Step Van, handles and rides good. I ran dozens of that combo on pickups in the 70's and 80's, back when recaps were cheap and available. If and when I get rims for the 51 I plan to get either 15's or 16's in the bias ply. The only thing I've noticed with the van is the tendancy to follow , stay in low spots in the pavement more than radials. There are several areas around here that have a "wheel rut" in the pavement. John | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 65 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 65 | Thank You and sorry for posting in the wrong forum!
That's what I am thinking as well. Might just keep these wheels. We put the tires on this truck around 2011, and the tire guy told me one wheel is bent. We just ran it anyways, and never noticed it. If I were to get them powdercoated, Id want them to be close to perfect. But really no clue how that is done. Could also just spray paint them with the old tires on, and then just drop them at the tire shop. Never goes over 45 anyways. And already has nice 15" stainless beauty rings that i kinda like.
1951 1/2 Ton 216ci 4spd
1955 3/4 Ton NAPCO 235ci 4spd
1959 1/2 Ton stepside 235ci 4spd
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,659 Curmudgeon | | Curmudgeon Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,659 | What you have, except the tires, look original to me.
Original hubcaps are steel with a stainless embossed skin.
Original rims have riveted spring clips to hold the hubcap.
It's all a matter of taste that may or may not affect the value of the truck.
Some like original caps & trim rings and will tolerate small gravel dings & scratches.
Some like new looking reproduction caps that looks perfect but are obviously not original.
Most agree that radials are much better for driving.
The ply tires usually go on trailer queens.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use."
"I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2019 Posts: 437 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2019 Posts: 437 | I was also thinking about the traction tires in rear and highway tread in front on my '65 C10 (If I ever get it running again) I am looking at those same STA tires. I remember it was pretty popular "back in the day" to put mud grips on the back
Kevin
1965 Chevy C10 Longbed Fleetside
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 65 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 65 | Hi, Truck is finally in a shop getting rewired, and a new heater assembly. I am ready to order tires. With more research, It seems that only 3/4 tons had the 7.00-15 size. Will those be too large for my half ton? If they fit I dig the look. Plus it would raise the top speed a bit. Tires on it now are 235-75R15s which are 29" by 9.3". The 7.00-15 is a 29" by 6". But they look way bigger on this 3600. https://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/vehicles/3114/1949-chevrolet-3600-3-4-ton-pickupAlso, I am ordering the STA tires from Coker. They are tubeless. These radials are obviously tubeless, and have been fine for 10 years. Think they will be safe on these stock wheels? Thank You for your advice. Just don't want to be sure it will work out before spending money.
1951 1/2 Ton 216ci 4spd
1955 3/4 Ton NAPCO 235ci 4spd
1959 1/2 Ton stepside 235ci 4spd
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 5,684 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 5,684 | They'll be fine on your stock rims.
The original wheel size/tires specified in the FSM for 1951 3100 trucks are:
6x16-6 for all four wheels or
6x16x6 front and 6.50x16-6 rear
15" rims were stock on the sedan delivery
You can buy 16" smoothies with new hubcaps from Wheelsmith. If you want to use your original caps with the new Wheelsmith wheels, they sell clips for your caps that will work with their wheels.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
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