The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Tire Suggestions 1951 Chevrolet 1300

Hey all, this is probably an often asked question, but I was wondering if you guys could provide a few suggestions for tires.

Right now my 1951 is sitting on three 6.00-16s and one 6.50-16

(pics).

These tires rock, they're holding air after being flat for over 20 years...but the fronts are bald and they are all badly weather-checked.

What size would you suggest for radials and are there any compelling arguments for staying with bias-ply?

I love the way those Firestone Town and Country tires look, are there any radial equivalents?

Personally, I like the look of bias plys and have never seen radials that come close to providing that look. Many folks on here do run radials and tout safety issues and handling. While I do not discount their opinions, these trucks ran many many miles with no problems in their day on bias plys. Now, if you have
greatly increased horsepower, handling, etc. then radials might be the best choice for you. Do what makes you and your pocketbook happy.

Thanks BT. I had a good talk with my mechanic this afternoon about tires while I was dropping my Pontiac off for some service. He's going to do some digging and find me a few options to think about.

Dallas,

You might get all sorts of opinions on sizes of tires and bias-ply vs radial-ply tires.

Check the rim section on your rims. If you have 1951 1/2 ton truck wheels, 6.00x16" and 6.50x16" tires were mounted on the same size rims (4.5" rim section). The 4.5" rim section wheel is about the narrowest rim you might be able to get a tire seller to mount a LT (Light Truck) radial on.

Some people in Canada have reported having difficulties on finding a tire seller that would mount a radial on either size of rim.

A LT215/85R16 tire has a relatively high profile and can be mounted on a 4.5" rim. This tire looks very much like a bias ply tire, especially if it is properly inflated. If you choose a wider rim and/or a lower profile tire, and/or you under-inflate the tire, it will have a lower profile and look more like a modern radial tire on a modern (wider width) rim/wheel.

I installed the 215/85R16s(Iron Man) on my truck and am very pleased with them they look good and run on the road with no problems.




Pete

Bias plys get terrible flat spots from sitting, at least mine do. You can even feel the lump inching out of the garage. First 5-6 miles on a cold morning feels like the truck is gonna fly apart. Having said that, nothing says "antique truck" like tall skinny tires. May have to explore radials soon, because my bias plys are 20 years old and starting to wear.

I've got Cooper 215/85R16s on 4" rims. No problems so far...

Tom,

With or without tubes?
How many miles/years have you been running those tires?
How many PSI?

(my questions are to see first-hand experience with radials on stock rims on trucks that run no faster than highway speeds - no need for people to respond with the "legalities" and merits/demerits of using a radial tubes, we've seen them)

The tire size calculators I've seen show a 185/85x16 as the closest match diameter wise to a 600x16 but good luck finding a set in the US. Running a 215 will most likely throw your speedo off a bit. Just be aware that you'll be moving just a bit faster then your speedo indicates.

Tim, with radial tubes - per your suggestion.

I had them installed last fall at Thoma Tire - per your suggestion

They can't have more than a few hundred miles on them so far, and you've seen the truck, so you know it doesn't go all that fast.

Didn't recognize me, did you?


PSI is around 40

Yes, Tom, of course I recognized you. I did not, however, remember how long ago you got your tires (my mind is always time-warped).

I think I also run 40 psi. That gives a higher profile, better steering, and the best tracking (less wandering). 35 psi did not look right and was harder to steer. 45 psi wandered too much. I have a little over 7,000 miles on mine.

Tiny, your comments on diameter are, of course, correct and important. I looked at the approximately 15% wider diameter being an advantage for highway driving (~31.5" vs ~28" original loaded diameter). I needed to get a speedometer adapter anyway, in order to correct for the 3.55 rear-end conversion. It is nice to know how fast you are really going.

I am running on a budget and just needed good tires to run around on. I'm still working my truck, not having it just sit around. Well, I don't really drive it much.

So anyhow, I got some Goodyear Wranglers that were P205/75 16R and they bring it up to the correct height. They are an inch wider than the originals but being used means they fit my budget.

Only problem was that one wheel was awfully crooked. Now I'm looking for another wheel.