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

Hoping someone here knows what "modern" radial tires replace those found on the '36 Pickup I recently bought...

The '36 came with 6.50 x 16 rubber but after sitting in a barn for over 20 years they're not looking too healthy... there are no leaks and the tread is good but there are lots of cracks between the treads, so I'm gonna need to find some new tires...

Rather than going with original tube tires I'd prefer to go with radials but need to know what size corresponds with 6.50 x 16's...

Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help!

~Trev

i would contact coker tire,if anybody would know they would................dave

37truckguy,

Hey, when you find out the answer, let me know also!! I've got the same size on my '46. I need a tire for my spare rim that I got from Sheridan. I believe Coker Tire has the size your looking for, however, there pricy. I think it was $130.00 for a black wall the last time I checked. Could be higher with gas/diesel prices going through the roof!

Y'all prolly should do a search using "radial tires" for your search words. There's been a ton of sometimes heated discorse about running modern radials on old wheels. I sent an e-mail to Coker and they recommend against it. There are a number here who are doing it without problems but you need to be aware that there is "some" evidence that it can cause a problem with wheel flex & rarely cracking.

Interesting, Tiny...

The thing is the steel wheels that are on it are not much different than just plain old rims if they're different at all...

Is this the kind of wheel they worry about flex and cracking or do you mean the more old school spoked kind?

I'll look into this and maybe call a coupole of tire pros in this area, then post the result...

~Trev

There is supposed to be a difference in wheels pre & post radials being offered in the '60s. Wheels made for bias ply tires are prone to flexing excessively with radials according to some. I've read articles & opinions on both sides of the argument. One of note was that Coker recommends in their print catalogue that radials not be put on older wheels. Their web site does not have that warning but I did find it in their print catalogue. For verification I sent an e-mail to Coker and eventually got a reply from them that older wheels do tend to flex more. The majority of complaints they've received had to do with losing hub caps/wheel covers from the flexing but on rare occasion cracking has been found. They recommend that if you do put radials on to make a habit of regularly inspecting your wheels. Again there's plenty of anecdotal evidence refuting any such claim & past discussions have gotten heated to the point of name calling.

The size tires you're looking for would probably be an LT215/85R-16; they work well to replace the 6.00 to 7.00-16's. As was stated before,it's not a problem to run radials on the old original wheels,with some concerns; Often older wheels will have loose rivets holding the rim to the web. That makes them leak,so tubes must be used,or the rivets must be tightened or the webs welded to the rims by a qualified welder. also,the newer wheels have a safety bead,which serves to help keep the tire bead from seperating in the event of a blowout or a side impact on a low tire,such as clipping a curb,etc. This is usually the reason tire shops soetimes are reluctant to fit new radials to old wheels. Also be sure there's no rust at the point where the rim and web connect-this will weaken the metal to a point where the wheel may seperate under a relatively minor impact. As long as your wheels are in good condition and don't leak air around the rivets,you'll be fine with radials.
And actually,radials have more sidewall flex than bias tires;that's what enables the tread to stay flat on the pavement during hard cornering. So if you're going to be driving like Darrell Waltrip,it might be best to buy some more modern wheels.
I've always swapped the bias ply tires out for radials on my trucks,and never had a wheel-related problem. But that's just MY experience.
Speed

Guys,
I cannot stress enough, check locally first. After reading a gajillon posts on tires/rims radial/bias tires. I went to TDS a block from where I work. The lady didn't even blink when I told her I wanted radial tires for a 52 chevy 6 inches wide on 16 inch rims. She made me blink when she asked if I wanted the tires in 28 29 30 or 31 inch height. I still haven't decided. No problem on original rims, and I would get an extra discount if I bought 5 tires over my government discount. OK stop. I work as a groundsman for the local school district. I don't make THAT much. Lol. I was quoted 94 bucks mounted and balenced. You just can't order stuff in for that. Jimmie.

215-85R16 is the corresponding size. However being one of the minority who still believes in bias-ply tires, last year I installed a set on my 49 half ton. Do I like them? Yes, very much. I drive about 2000 miles a year and my top speed is about 45. Would I do it again? In a heart beat.
The new tires are unlike the old. They do not flat spot over night, they run smooth but they do follow ruts in the road.
I have written about this before but I'll do it again. I bought radials for my truck but because of the narrow rim width my dealer was not happy about installing them. My rims also didn't have a safety bead whatever that is which also made him loath to install.
I have seen 215-85R16 on some trucks with narrow rims and to me they do not look right. Look like big donuts.
My 2 cents.

Wow thanks for the info and all the viewpoints, guys...

You have supplied lots of food for thought (as usual) on what originally seemed like a rather simple subject... nice to know all of this going in so I can make an informed decision...

Too bad I wanted to stay with the "original look" to some degree as a buddy of mine has 4 15" radial TA's for sale on wheels already, for just $200... while his wheels look pretty much like mine, they're 5 bolt which means I can't use 'em...

If my truck was set up for 5 bolt like the '37 is I'd be jumping on 'em but didn't really figure 225/70R15's would fit on these rims so that's why I asked...

Thanks again to all who have responded... I'll keep watching this thread for more info...

~Trev

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/45_conversionchart.html

This might help, Joe.

Well Trev - you have just proven, once again that there is no such thing as a "simple subject." Fortunately the experience and talent on this site will reward you usually with more than one workable solution, great innovation, and just plain helpful thoughts. Through my wheels with nubs thread some time ago I learned that there really are "wheels with nubs". I hate to tell you how many wheels I now have - none 16" though so I can't help you there. A local rod shop tells me now they can weld the nubs (small, at 90, 180, 270 and 360) on my 6" Coker wheels. That way I can keep the Coker P235s. Think I'll try it. I do like the radial ride. P.S. I love your trucks --

Dale

Thanks Dale... I love 'em too!

Pretty amazing what you learn on this site alright, although just once in a while I wish there was an easy answer! lol

Given all this info I don't know whether I'm better off just trying to find tires similar to what are on it OR if I should try to find different wheels that will work with radials and buy those too or...?

Clearly there isn't gonna be a real economical way, but what else is new? lol

Joe, thanks for the conversion chart... that will come in handy... you should let John and Peg know about it too... maybe they can post a link to it for future bolters who may need it...

Thanks again, guys!

~Trev

I had the same question for my 53. I even had the origional tire on the origional rim on the spare tire mount. U.S Royal 6.50X16. After having it taken off the rim and comparing it to several radials, I went with the long trail radials,225/75R16. They drive and ride like a champ. 98.00 bucks a piece and they look great.

Finally got some new tires for the '36 today...

After looking at them even closer I knew there was NO way they'd pass inspection so I went to my favorite tire shop and found four "almost new" LT215/85R-16's... They had been original equipment on a truck but the owner decided to buy more sporty looking tires for his vehicles only a couple hundred miles after buying it...

Originally the shop had wanted $115 per tire, but after showing him pics of the '36 and '37 that I carry with me in the car, he lowered his price to only $75 per tire... I got the set for $300 plus tax...

This size seems a bit higher profile than the 6.50 x 16's (the new tires are 29 1/2" high wjile the old 6.50's are only 28") but the tire guy said to try 'em on and if they don't fit or ride the way I like to just to bring 'em back and he'll give me a full refund or find me some other tires that I do like!

We'll see how the truck looks (and what kind of head room is left as I have a low door on the garage) but hopefully these work... Very happy with the quality and the price!

~Trev