The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk stock tire size on 52' 3100

looking for some tire info. my cousin has a stock 52' 3100 and wants new tires. bias-ply or radials? he is looking to purchase stock style with maybe w.w. manual says 6.50-16 is stock thanks.

I think the standard 1/2 ton Chevrolet truck wheel in 1952 was 6.00-16"

6.50-16" was one of the options in 1952

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/52154.html

"he is looking to purchase stock style with maybe w.w."
White-wall tires were not a factory option for trucks in 1952 but many people like them.

The choice of bias-ply or radial is a personal choice. High profile, narrow LT-radial tires are available for narrow rims and look like the original tires. This part of your question is a lot like asking "what religion do you prefer; or, what political-party do you prefer"?

Check with the local tire vendors before you buy anything in 6.50, they are usually more expensive and have less possible brands or styles to select from.

thanks! cuz was thinking on going with coker for the tires, any thoughts on that choice.

As far as choosing between radials or bias:
I have a stock 52 3100 that had 700x16 bias ply tires on it when I bought it 4 years ago. It was very challenging keeping it on the road above 40 mph. It tended to dart back and forth, especially when driving on a road that had grooves worn in it. I adjusted the steering box, installed new king pins, made sure the other front end joints were not worn out - none of which helped much. But when I bought some 700x16 radials, it was like I got a new truck! I wish I'd done this 4 years ago.

Cooper Tire SRM II Radial LT LT215/85R16

http://www.tnttire.com/ (Tacoma, WA)

thats my friends tire shop! are those cooper tires skinny w.w.'s?

High-profile blackwalls - until you get close enough to read "Radial" on the tire, you would not notice they are radial.