The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Tire Size

I have read several of the messages on this topic and am confused. I need tires for my '54 3100. The existing tires are P215 75 R15. this would lead me to believe that I have 15 inch rims. (The rims measure 16 + from outside to outside.) Is this stock or were the rims changed somewhere along the way? My owner's manual says the tires should be 6.00-16-6 This would appear to need a 16 inch rim however I am not familiar with the rest of the designation. What size rim was provided stock on the truck? Would it be OK to put a larger diameter tire on the existing rims? Thanks

You've got 15" tires and rims.
Rims are properly measured across where the tire bead seals. 16" tires will not mount on those rims.

Andy,

6.00-16 (4.5" rim section), 6 ply rating tires were standard (16" rim)

6.50-16 (5" rim section), 6 ply rating was a common factory option (16" rim)

15" (5.5" rim section), 6ply rating was also an option in 1954 (15" rim)

The rim section, I think, is the width of the rim at the lower inside edges.

You can put a larger outer diameter tire on a rim (within reason; maybe up to a 33" loaded outer diamter) but the inner diameter of the tire must match the rim diameter. If I am wrong, we can be sure that someone will post a correction.

Tim