The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Tire size? '54 3100

I finally found 4 original 16 inch wheels w/clips,had them sandblasted and powder coated. Now hoping for advice on the specific radial tire size I should be looking for. Also interested in tire brands, mid-priced??

For my 54 3100 I purchased 5 215 85R 16 10 Ply @ Les Schwab for $ 820... Also had them do the sandblasting and powder coating for $ 25 each wheel... Here is what they look like Tire Pics ...

Another Stovebolter in NY recently purchased the same size Cooper SRM II Light Truck radial for about $150/tire (a little less than the full price at Sears, before discounts/sales).

I have been running those Cooper tires in my 54 3106 Suburban since 2004.

Any reason the above mentioned tires wouldn't run on my '57 3100? Are you going with an 85 aspect ratio (instead of a 75) to gain more height? I've been trying to figure out tires and tire sizes for these older trucks as when I bought this truck it had four different tires and 3 different wheels (just so it'd roll) and none of them were the originals.
Thanks for the posts!-
Traeg

What size wheels will you use?

I've got 16" wheels- they're about 5.25 " wide. Was told they were the original 16" wheels that would have been an option on that truck in '57. The owners manual says the original tires for that wheel were 6.50- 16. I'm not concerned about looks- need them to run good on rural roads and rough, rocky Arizona terrain, but still get me to Phoenix if necessary on I-17 at highway speeds (rarely).

215/85-16 tires will fit those wheels.

235/65 and 225/75 tires need a wider wheel but you might find a dealer who would mount them om those wheels.

On my 1954 3100, I use the 215/85-16 LT 8 ply rating from BIG O. I am on my third set and haven't had any problems. The last set cost me $664.00 total for everything, including taxes (7.75% here in California). We take the truck and travel trailer on some long trips so I like the fact that the BIG O warranty is good nation wide, in case I need it. When I bought the first set, the BIG O service guy told me the 215/85 was close in height and width to the 700/16 bias ply tires I was using before I switched to radials. Be sure to check the integrity of the wheels carefully, including the rivets, before you powdercoat them. Measure the rim bead width not the outside width of the wheels when determining which wheel and tire to use.

Truckcamper- funny you should mention Big O. They found me found a set of 225/75 -16 Wranglers (I think they're 4ply?) for $90 a tire. Total cost after mounting was $468. Could have paid another $200 for 8 or 10 ply whatever- but this'll do for now- get me around this small town and up and down our rural drive (I hope). I might eventually want to change the wheels anyway- they seemed solid, and we checked rivets, etc again after steam cleaning them- I read the Accuride Catalog section recommended in the Tech Tips- but I'm no expert. After powder coating a sharp silver the wheels look great! Have newer chrome (hopefully cheaper and thinner chrome) hubcaps that I'm seriously considering glassbeading and then Duracoating white, as it'll look way better than chrome on silver. Rest of the truck is painted anyway. Will get some photos posted here soon.