The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '53 Chevy 3100 - 16" stock wheels - tire discussion

Hiya folks!

So my dad got the 16 inch wheels that he got(from the swap meet) for his '53 wheels painted up... so now he is pondering tires.

[img]http://hardin.home.mindspring.com/1953/09142003/extpsiderear.jpg[/img]

The wheels on the front there were on there when he got it, he doesn't like them either...

So, any recommendations on tires(brands, sizes, manufacturers,) or tire places to go to? I think he is looking to get some regular tires, nothing fancy as he only plans to be puttin' around town in it.

We are in and around Atlanta, GA.

So, what tires have you other AD folks used?

Jes' fishin' for some information so I thought I'd throw a hook into the water...

Updated Additional information(added after reading a few posts):

As far as we know it is the stock gear ratio, it still has the stock rear end with the torque tube or whatever they called it - the enclosed driveshaft.

'57 235 inline six, stock 3 on the tree manual tranny... no power anything.

Yep, 16 inch original metal type wheels, that is what pop is putting on there. He plans to put the original type hubcaps on there also.

additional update: so according to chevy truck book.. uh dang it - the one with the pretty 55-57ish blue one on the front - 40-72 one with details and options listed - plus the restoration pack from chevy - says the '53 3100 - had 6.00 x 16 six ply tires.

-W

p.s. the truck runs('57 235), has brakes and a parking brake - no exhaust or bed floor or fully install electrical yet... or lights... but that's all small stuff, right?

details about the above truck if you care to read them:

http://hardin.home.mindspring.com/1953/1953.html

What rear end ratio do you have? That'll make a big difference in what size is best. Wiith stock gearing (probably a 4.10) I'd go with either a 31/10.50X15 or an LT235/75R-15. They measure out pretty close in diameter,but you'll still want to stick with the same size on all four. My first choice would be the 235's. ask at the tire shop;they might know of something close to the same width but maybe a little taller,that'll help keep the rpm's down on the open road.

If you're going with 16" wheels,an LT215/85R-16 looks a lot like the stock tires,but makes it handle so much better. I run LT235/85R-16's on my GMC half ton.

I'm with Speed and a lot of bolters on this one:
215 85R 16's...

I just installed these Bridgstones R273's on my 53 and the ride is awesome:
[img]http://www.1010tires.com/images/tires/Bridgestone/bridgestone-r273-swp-large.jpg[/img]
They look like a bias-ply tire with a very high aspect ratio. They fill the fenderwells perfectly and make the truck look like a truck...

215 = height/total diameter of tire?

85r = width of tire?

16 = wheel/rim size

do I have any of that right or is part of it bassackwards?

-W

[img]http://www.whizzerick.com/tire.jpg[/img]

A - 215 = tire width in millimeters (at contact point)

B - 85R = sidewall height is 85% of width (85% of 215 MM = 182,5mm / 7,25 inches) - also called 'aspect ratio'. R for radial.

C - 16 = total wheel diameter (from lip to lip)

D - That tire is 30,25 inches in diameter:

you might wanna check out our swap section, a guy(stick)has (2) Firestone 6:50x16 mounted on stock wheels for $75 plus freight,,, that would half of the battle.........regards,,,Fred

whizzerick,
I thought I had it bassackwards. Thanks for the clarification.

joker,
thanks for the heads up.

We went and picked up the '53 wheels in my '65 from the guy who sandblasted/painted them this morning.

Thanks to everyone.

-W

I have 6:50x16 Cooper tires on my 49. They have been there for about 12 years and ride beautifully with plenty of tread left. I considered radials but cannot justify scrapping these.
Here is a question on the radial tires fitting the stock narrow width rims which are about 4 or 5 inches. Some say the rim is too narrow for radials. Any comments?

Olblu, I ran an other model of Bridgestone for 3 years ( Dueler AT's) rated for a 6,5 rim with no problem except it just didnt 'look' right...

The sidewall buldges and it looks goofy.

The R273 is rated for a 5 inch rim, right on the money... It is very narrow and I could now steer with a pinky (not that I actually do... )

Further questions for you guys...

so, I'm guessin' pop isn't going to drive odle truck too much, so he isn't wantin' to drop too much $$ on the tires.. makes sense as he has shiny 2002 blue chevy blazer with cold ac and all the comforts for serious driving.

So, 6.00 x 16 six ply tires is what the resto pack said came on it back in the day, but that was 50 + years ago... so, options?

Find a good tire guy and buy him beer maybe? heh.

-W

Woog,

I am running the same size as Whiz...I bought mine at the local Goodyear dealer....$85/tire. I love em. Trail Mark is the make. My Goodyear guy said Goodyear makes em and they are a very good tire for the money. The look nice on my powder coated rims. With the new hub caps..the road end of the truck looks nice. I wish the sky side looked the same.

Woog! The 6.50 X 16 where optional.
An added bonus of the taller tires is lower rpms at highway speed.

Pop has tires now... it was quite an adventure he had about getting them mounted up. I'm trying to get him to wander in and tell the story.

Anyway, 215 85R 16's <- that is what he went with I think. They look pretty spiffy on there.

whizzerick - yer right it does fill up the fenderwell, looks good.

Thank you to everyone who replied!

-W

Dear whizzerick

I just purchased a 1953 Suburban, and currently it has aftermarket wheels and tires. I am looking to put something more original-looking back on it. I found a set of period correct 16" wheels, the ones with the four slots around the inside of the rim, and now I am looking for tires. The tires you posted about sound perfect to me, but I wondered if you had a picture of them on your truck so I could see what they look like. Thank you in advance. My email is [email protected].

Matt

I am tire shopping for my 1953 3100, and wondered if you could send me a picture of your truck with these tires mounted? Thank you in advance! My email is [email protected]. Matt

Marr,

I think that whizzerick last posted in December 2007.

215 85R 16

LT215/85R16

I have a set on my 1954 Suburban.

When properly inflated on a 6.50x16 1954 truck wheel, the rolling diameter is around 31"

My Suburban has the same size tires. Click the link in my signature line. That makes two good examples for you.

Now I'm locking this nearly 12 year old thread.