Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
MORE wrenching? 
Plenty of places to share. | | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,006 Posts1,055,268 Members48,418 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | 
#18803 12/05/2001 3:25 AM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | I would like to mount 235/85R16 size
tires on my stock '53 Chevy rims. My question is whether the rims are wide enough?
Also should I use inner tubes since the
rims are rivited? | | |
#18804 12/05/2001 3:33 PM | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | Stock rims are 5.5 inches, the book shows a 6.0 to 7.0 width for the tire. It should work. I don't know what you mean by riveted rims, though. I would go to a local tire dealer who handles truck tires. They should be able to answer your questions.
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
| | |
#18805 12/05/2001 10:39 PM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,419 ODSS President | | ODSS President Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,419 | I've been running that size on my stock rims for a year and a half. '49 3100
~ Cosmo
1949 Chevy Half Ton
Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities.
"...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
| | |
#18806 12/05/2001 11:35 PM | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 13 Member | | Member Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 13 | Can't argue with the experience of Cosmo, but 6 to 7 inches is what most of that tire size requires and the stock rims I've seen measure 4.5. Best to follow Fred's advice on local tire shop input. Measure twice, mount once. | | |
#18807 12/06/2001 12:09 AM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 30 Member | | Member Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 30 | How much of a difference do radials make over biased ply tires in handeling and ride on these old trucks.
1942 1/2ton 1951 1/2 ton 1960 biscayne sedan 1968 ihc scout 1972 #### 3/4 ton
| | |
#18808 12/06/2001 5:06 AM | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 125 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 125 | Radials were the best thing I did to improve the handling of my truck. Stock rims do measure 4.5 inches and the tire shop will likely tell you it can't be done, but it can. IMO 16's sometimes look balooned on 4.5 inch rims. They may also tell you that you need tubes, but I haven't lost air for years at a time. I didn't use 16 inch rims, but went with later Task Force 15 inch rims and 7.50 or 7.00' by 15's. These rims measure 5.5 wide and take the stock caps fine. Another option is to have some rims made or modified, I have heard of this being done for prices that are reasonable.
Grant
1950 Chevy 3100
1952 GMC 150 (In Pieces)
1968 Chevy K20
1966 Shovelhead
1978 BMW 100S
| | |
#18809 12/07/2001 5:09 AM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | Hey, thank for the input on mounting radials on my stock rims. What I meant by
rivited rims, was how the center section is
mounted to the outer rim. Newer rims have the
center welded to the outer rim, but the ones
for my truck are riveted to the outer section.
I know radial tires make a big difference
in handling. My '70 Chevy Nova had bias ply
tires and was all over the road. I mounted
radials and it goes straight down the road
now. | | |
#18810 12/07/2001 6:54 AM | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | Those rivets should be air-tight. Let the dealer mount one, then dunk it in the water tank to check for leaks, just to be sure. Then you can decide if you need tubes.
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
| | |
|
|
