The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Wheels one more time

Most of the threads I've found are about changing wheels/wheel size. I want to retain the origonal wheels and thought I could put on a comariable set of radials but didn't consider the 4 1/2 inch rims being too narrow for radials. I've gotten a half dozen different opinions from a half dozen tire shops, but all say it won't look right unless the wheel is at least 5 1/2 in.
I'm about to through in the towel and go back to a set of bias 6.50-16's.
Either way it's a lot of $$ and need to get it right the first time.
Comments ??

Oops sorry. Don't know how I got this in paint and body, but I'll still appreciate any feedback..

Hopefully a mod will move the thread.

If you want anyone to try to answer your question, you need to provide them with a few basic pieces of information.

what make? chevy/gmc?

model of truck? as in what ton rating?

what year model truck?

what size wheels?

-W

OK, I have a 1953 Chevy 3100 rated at 4800 lbs (door placard). According to the service manual they came with 6.00 x 16, or 6.50 x 16 depending on the rated weight. Mine had a mixture of tire sizes but all the wheels are origonal and measure 4 1/2 inches across the bead and looks like the diameter is 29 inches. I simply wanted to install radials instead of bias tires on these wheels, but am told the wheels are too narrow, will bulge at the sidewall and look funky.
The threads I've researched deal with changes to 15 inch wheels, or installation of wider 16 inch, six lug wheels from a later chev/toyota. I was trying to retain some orgonality, retain the clips and use the OEM hubcaps. If it means staying with the 6.50x16 bias, I will, but would like to have some feedback before spending money on the wrong tires. Surely someone has been down this road...
Thanks
Bob

Bob - I think it's not so much radials would 'look funky' on the early rims, but that the narrowness and particularly the shape of the rim bead area make the radials not hold/work properly ... an easy fix would be to find some 16" rims from the 55-59 series, which are 5.5" and still have the clips that'll take your caps

Bill

I have been running Cooper radial truck tires, LT215/85R16 (5.5" recommended rim width) on my original 1954 4.5" rims. When installed, the tires have a high profile (looking a lot like original bias-ply truck tires) and have a wider installed/loaded diameter (about 31.5") than when installed on a 5.5" or wider rim (about 3.26"). These tires have worked fine for six years, but I travel less than 2,000 per year (and never at speeds above 65-70mph and at loads of 200-1,000 lbs).

This has been an ongoing concern of mine. I have the same size rims and bought a set of 215/85R-16 and when the tire store saw my rims they decided the tires would not be safe on a narrow rim. I believe the specification calls for a 6.5 inch rim. They cited concerns about no safety bead on the rim and also as the rim was too narrow they would not warranty the tire.
Okay I went to a second dealer and got the same answer. I decided to buy a set of Firestone 650-16 bias-ply and frankly I love them. Its a whole new compound and they do not flat spot after sitting over night but like all bias-ply they tend to track in the groves in the road.
I drive normally about 40 mph and on the highway up to 55. I do about 1000 miles per year and the ride is very nice. Although I have not ruled out radials in the future if I can get proper rims.

Good feedback
Tim, Two questions. Does the LT tread look OK on the truck? and, is there any interference issues with that much of a diameter increase?

olblu49, I got all excited about your Firestone's, but called the local dealer here and he said they don't make them. Go figger... So I'm still looking.

Dang, I hate to not use the origonal wheels. They are all power coated and purdy. If nothing else works out, guess I'll start lookin for the 55-59 ones.

Thanks

no Firestone doesn't make them, Coker reproduces them

Bill

The Cooper SRM II tread a black sidewalls look fine to me.

Here is what they look like on my Suburban.

Oh, the Firestones are reproductions. The dealer said I might have to go to Coker, But didn't say they reproduced the Firestone's. That makes sense then.
Yep, I would agree. The Coopers look fine to me too. Looks like there is lots of clearance on the burb, even with that much diameter increase.
Haven't ruled out any of the options yet. We'll see how it shakes out. I'll post the outcome.
Thanks All

I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP. I have a 49 half ton and original wheels which are 4.5". Been trying to find tires to fit but most tire specs don't go that narrow..or even close. I would not mind going to a later OEM style wheel if not too spendy... May be time to visit a junk yard, but need at least three wheels (incl spare) that will fit my disc brakes to be added later.

I have bias plys on now and really hate them...wander all over the road and yes, I'll have the steering checked out too.