The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Tires for 58 Long Fleetside with 16x4.5 wheels

I need some help with tires.

When I got my truck, it had 3 newer 15" wheels without clips, and one 16" wheel with hub cap clips. I've found 3 matching 16" wheels. I haven't removed tires (7.5x16 tube type), but I think the rims are all 4.5" wide. Centres riveted to rim. Can you put tubless tires on these rims at all ?

I'm trying to find some tires. I'm a bit put off by the prices of fancy "classic tires". I'd be OK with blackwalls. I want to drive my truck (except in winter). Not a trailer queen (king).

I can't find anything that is recommended for 4.5" wheels.

So what are my options?
Find a tire that works. Anything in 'normal' tubless sizes ?
Any experience with tires on narow rims?

Get some newer, wider 15" rims?
I found a guy who has a set of 15x8 6 bolt rallys from a 70's 4x4. Will these fit?

Appreciate your recommendations.

Search for Cooper. There were some recommendations in that thread.

205/85/16 is what I think I read there. Good wheels seems to be the secret to holding air. I found a set of 215/70/15 on Craigslist for cheap and installed those. Almost new, cheap and for the limited driving I do they seem to work very well.

if the wheels have 6 clips they're the older [pre-55] style that are 4.5 - 5", if they have 3 clips they're likely to be the right 55-59 wheels, which should be 5.5" [if 15's, I'm not sure on the 16's], and they will take tubeless radials [if not rotten rusty inside] ... look at shops that sell truck tires, there should be LT radials available in 16"

the later 4X4 wheels will work, but 8" would take a wider tire than is good for the front bearings and spindles and you'd hafta make sure those tires didn't interfere with the steering

Bill

Oh, maybe that explains things.
The rims have 6 clips.
16x4.5

Owners manual says 16" wheels were on trucks with 8 leaf rear springs. Mine has 7 I think, but who knows if they are original as well. So maybe this isn't the original wheel after all.

I'm also wondering why the original owners manual says the tires are tubeless, but I can't find tubeless tires anywhere.

Maybe these are NOT the wheels I really wanted after all.

I put some Goodyear Wrangler ST's on my 16x4.5's. They are tubeless and I think they are 205/75R16's. Been on for a number of years now. No issues and lots of tread left. Lots of miles on them.
Picture 1

tires

with 6 clips they're definitely pre-55, might even be older car .... unlikely anyone removed a spring leaf - the 15's were the standard, 16's gave a higher GVW, check your door tag for a GVW above or below 4500# ... you can find a taller tire in 16's but there's appropriate height 15's available, and any radial will be tubeless, not sure where you're looking you can't find them unless it's the bias plys from the "antique" dealers - skip that, get radials

Bill

My door tag clearly shows 5000 lbs. If true, according to the owners manual, it says the tires would have been 7-17.5-6. So I guess that may prove that the one 16x4.5 is not an original wheel. Oh well.

I checked out the WheelVintiques web site today. They don't seem to have original OEM wheels with 6x5.5 bolt patern. But they do have "pre-73 Rallye' wheels, and "Smoothie" wheels in the proper sizes. Anyone have experience with these?

Can you add clips to a "Smoothie" and make it work as an OE wheel?

Anyone know what the limit for back spacing is for a 123"WB Fleetside? 15x8 rims have 4" back spacing. Sorry, but my truck frame is at my Dad's 3hrs away. 6" wide rims have 1/4" less backspace.

I put 215/85/16 on My 52 ,I got'ironman' for a good price I work at a auto parts place[CJC] part time , but the coppers are a good tire and will not break the bank the 215s look close to original and will fit the rims no problem.

Pete

I bought Yokohama Geoalander ATS 215/85 R16's for my 1955-59 rims and am very happy with them. When using these original rims, take the time to smear some auto body leveling compound or similar gunk on the rivets that attach the disk to the rim. This is where a lot of slow air leaks come from when using tubeless tires.

Anton

Pete,

The tires you installed, are they 10 Plys?
It seems that dealers around here that has those size are 10 plys, and I was wondering would they ride like a log wagon? Looking to buy for my 53 Chev 1/2 ton.

Thanks

Kevin

my 7R15LT Yokohamas are 10 ply - yes they do make the 58 ride a bit harsh compared to surfing on your couch, but these are trucks

Bill

Yes, mo2cyl, they are 10 ply and they are a little hard driving but it's a good road feel , but like I said the coppers are a good tire or realy any LT tire in 215/85/R16 will do check maybe You're tire shop has some thing on sale,I was going to get the coppers but the tire supply house that we 'CJC' get's there tires from had the iron man for a good price so I got them, also check the load rating of the tire to make sure it matches you're truck use.

Pete

So Pete52 & Anton,
What is the rim width for your 215/85 16s?

I found a pair of discontinuted motomaster tires at my local CTC for about $63 each. They look like a classic tire.

Everything I find on the net says 5.5 to 7" width.

My truck has 3 60s era 15x 5.5" wheels without clips.
Can you get baby moons for this size of a wheel to replace a 60's era Chev hub cap ?