The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Tire source for my 1951 GMC 250 ?

I'm trying to locate tires for my '51 GMC 250. The radial equivalent is a 215/85r/18, 18" load rated tires are pretty scarce. The Truck has currently has split rims, pretty sure they are not the "Widow Makers". I'm not a stranger to split rims and have no issue doing the mounting myself ( Army Trainining Sir ). I can get radial tubes thur NAPA.

I looking for something that looks period correct and load rated D - F.

Any ideas ??

Let me know what you find Craig. I have a 57 with the split rims also that need 18’s.
From what I know, be prepared to work some overtime to pay for them.

Don

Hey Craig. I gave your tire size to a friend that just retired from a tire manufacturer who had bought up a bunch of the old tire companies names & molds. He's going to see what he can find.

All "split rim" wheels can be dangerous but the true "widow maker" was the Firestone RH5 two piece wheel.

So far the only option I can find is a 7.00- 18 Coker Tire, it's $390.00 load range D.

I would not buy Coker tires. They're for show, not driving. They're made on 80 year old, worn out molds and and are hard or impossible to balance properly.

Even Corky Coker suggested to the president of the Peach State region of the CLC that if you're building a show car, buy Cokers. If you drive your car, buy Diamondbacks.

Diamondback makes a 700x18 blackwall radial for $349. It's expensive but it will be superior to anything Coker makes.

Auburn Deluxe Radial https://dbtires.com/product/auburn-deluxe-radial-15-16-sizes/?style=blackwall

32.5 dia
5.5 tread width
7.5 section width
1929 lbs load capacity

I'm looking for a tire with a higher load rating. I would prefer at least a D, but an E would be better. There are plenty of 18 inch tire available just not in a width narrow enough for these old wheels.

I found these for steer tires. Still haven't located an affordable traction style tire for the rear.

https://otrusa.com/products/7-00-18...zBm9y54_GlWtJUolE7VfGycILHRoC7L4QAvD_BwE

Craig -- Are you doing serious work with Thor that you actually need traction tires back there? If all you are doing, really, is playing with the truck, then steers on the rear may be a viable last-resort option.

John, these are for the '51 GMC 250. I have 19.5" wheels and tires on Thor (4400 1.5 ton). Thor gets worked a lot. The tires currently the GMC probably date to the 60's or older. I have less than $800.00 in the new tires and 19.5 wheels on Thor.

Roger that. As I was, then.

If it weren't for the look of the wheels I would be fine with swapping them out for something newer and more common. I just really like the the "Old School " look of the dually wheels, to me they make the Truck.

Just a quick update. While I haven't pulled the trigger and purchased any tires as yet my research led me to this tire. It's a Kenda Klever H/T 4S, this size is a 235/80R18, which will accomadate a 6 inch rim width. The tire is 10 ply and load rated E at 3297/2910 lbs. single to dual mounting. While a radial tube may be required for my use it should suit a standard drop center rim just fine.

https://www.tiremart.com/shop?sizeAll=235%2F80R18

Link to Craig's Tires

www.tiremart.com/kenda-klever-h-t-4s-lt-235-80r18-121-118r-e-10-ply/

Otto - Thanks for offering the direct link to Craig selected tire.

Craig - That looks like it's going to check all your boxes to upgrade your 250's tires. Kinda figuring your unlikely to push that new tire speed rating (106mph) envelop - hahaha! But nice to know they are capable.