I'm really close to getting my truck on the road, and it's time to think about tires. It's a 1946 Chevy 1/2 ton farm truck with the original drivetrain, not a LS swap. I need something that doesn't create a lot of road noise, but also doesn't break the bank — recommendations? TIA!
1946 Chevy Getting started on Bruno Follow the story in the DITY Gallery You can't buy happiness but you can buy a truck ... and that's pretty much the same thing.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
15 x 5.5, best we can tell. I was hoping someome would recommend something. I have like new, period rims with tangs.
1946 Chevy Getting started on Bruno Follow the story in the DITY Gallery You can't buy happiness but you can buy a truck ... and that's pretty much the same thing.
The closest modern tire size to the original is 225/85 R16.
Just a quick search found a slightly smaller diameter Starfire Solarus 225/75 R16 for $93 on TireTutor.com .
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)
Those 16 inch tires would be a sloppy fit on his 15 inch rims.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
Thank you Otto and Bill! He had five totally different tires when I brought him home (spare tire), and we weren't sure which to go with.
1946 Chevy Getting started on Bruno Follow the story in the DITY Gallery You can't buy happiness but you can buy a truck ... and that's pretty much the same thing.
That post wasn't made when I first responded. I assumed he had original 16" dia rims.
Make sure they're 15"
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)
I have original 16inch wheels and bought these from a local tire shop. $150 a tire which was affordable for me. I'm sure you can find 15inch tires at a good price.
Last edited by UtahYork; 04/25/20253:26 PM.
~ John in Utah 1946 1/2Ton w/4-speed manual transmission w/1960 235 engine Here We Go Follow in his DITY Bay
- If you think about it, it has been one year ago today!
If you are not going to haul heavy loads with it, you can use passenger car tires. I bought Kumho Solus TA11 tires. I chose the skinniest ones they sell for easier steering. Max load is 1,600# @ 36 PSI.
Thank you Utah York and Gord&Fran! I didn't know about thinner tires/easier steering. That would for sure be helpful!
1946 Chevy Getting started on Bruno Follow the story in the DITY Gallery You can't buy happiness but you can buy a truck ... and that's pretty much the same thing.
Also try to find the largest diameter tire that will fit without being too wide. The original tires would have been about 30"-31" in diameter.
The larger the diameter of the tire, the faster you can drive at lower engine rpm.
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)
