My 1948 3100 has the original 16 inch wheels (6 bolt x 5.5 inch) that are 4 inches wide. I would like to change them to 16 inch wheels that are wider so I can run modern radial tires but still use the original hub caps and beauty rings. Is this possible? offset or back spacing problems? Any tire size recommendations if this is possible? I would like to keep original look as much as possible. Thank you!
I just installed 16 x 6 rims on my truck. I installed Firestone M+S 215/70R16 tires. Tread width is 6 1/2". Excellent, good looking tires that cost only $94 each.
Compared to the 15 x8 rims and small , fat tires that were on the truck when I got it, these are a VAST improvement in ease of steering, appearance, etc.
I actually wish I'd ordered 16 x 5 rims instead for both appearance and ease of steering. Even with the 5 inch rims it would still be possible to install modern 225/85R16 tires like the ones on my Packard. Those are Generals. The tread width on the 225/85R16 Packard tires is 6 1/4"
Tread width wider than 6 1/4-6 1/2 inches will be very difficult to turn when stopped or at very low speed.
I purchased the wheels and reproduction hubcaps from Wheelsmith. If you want to use original hubcaps, they will supply special clips to use original caps on their wheels.
If I were you, I'd check to see if 225/85r16 tires can be mounted on 16x4 rims. Are they split rims? If so, forget it. Buy new wheels. Most tire seller websites list a rim size range on which a particular tire will fit in the specifications section.
Last edited by Otto Skorzeny; 05/09/20228:25 PM.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
The wheels you have at 4" wide were original for 48. Sometime later (49 or 50) GM went with 4.5 inch wide wheels. And then I think in 55, they were 5" wide. I have some of each size. The 5" wheels had only 3 hubcap clips instead of the 6 on the earlier (narrower) wheels. I don't think even 215/85R16 tires are supposed to be mounted on wheels narrower than about 5" but a lot of guys get away with them. Most tires of that size are light truck (as in modern light truck) and heavy load range, which will translate to a stiffer ride. You might be able to track down some 4.5" wide original rims, and maybe trade your 4" rims to someone who's looking to be original-original with a 47 or 48. Alternative - I found 6.50-16 tires from Simple Tire for less than $100 each.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
