The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New Tires

OK, so finally I purchased some wheels. They are 16x6. I am looking for a tall skinny radial. Like 215/85 R16.... I am going from a 7.00 (or 7.50??) x 15 bias tires on org split rims. I am hoping I notice a difference.

My current tire diameter is 29 inches so would not mind a 30 inch tire as I can gain some speed to help with the 4:56 gears.

I would like to use a tire made in USA if I can. Cooper makes a SRM II that is supposed to be pretty good.

Cooper SRM II

Any suggestions would be helpful. I don't have deep pockets.. I don't drive off road and mostly around town. We don't get a lot of snow here.. (along the oregon coast)

Thanks.

I have some 225/75 16's on 16x6 rims. They're just slightly over 30" tall. I also have some 245/70/16's, they aren't inflated, so they look shorter, but are noticeably wider.

Got to www.photobucket.com/whitedog76pics I have them side by side with some 7.00-15's that I had on my truck.

Chris

Thanks Chris. If the '75' ratio gives you 30 inches, then a '85' ratio would be even talked. Maybe 31 inches? Also a 215 would be 'skinny'er.... Not much. Maybe 1/5 inch.

It's been a while since I've purchased tires. They are spendy.. I'd like to know what folks have found for good deals today.

Again, thanks much.....

I was also looking at the Cooper tires online. I had Coopers on my previous vehicle and had no complaints. Good tires for a good price. I'm interested in getting 16X6 rims as well. What rims did you get? I'm looking at the Wheel Vintiques series.

I'm using rims from a lates 90's Ford. They clear everything up front, but barely. Some other guys have used Dexstar wheels without any problem.

Check out talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=11532

I have been running a set of Cooper SRM II Radial LT215/85R16 for 8 years (on original 6.50x16" 1954 1/2 ton wheels). Nice tires. They have a high profile and are about 31.5" loaded diameter (about 10% larger diameter than original).

If they still sell that brand, I hope to be buying a set for another truck within a year.

I have run with tubes for 8 years and my new set will be tubeless.

Thanks for the feedback. After much thought and reading, I wound up with a set of 16x6 8 lug x 6.5 dexstar wheels. The offset is 0 so the backspacing should be about 3 inches which should fit without any spacers. It was a toss up for me to go with conventional wheels or a wheel called the tri-oval. I really like the look of the tri-oval so that's what I ordered. Plus they are powder coated (both sides) AND the shipping was free making the price about $200 for all 4 wheels. I did not get a spare... Maybe I should of....hummmm.

I will be ordering a set of Cooper tires hearing good results from them AND they are American made.

I'll post some pics when I get them.

Thanks much...

PS, so far, the best price I found on a set of Cooper is about $625 for 4 tires and shipping. I think that was with discount tire.

I'm still looking, but with oil prices, don't think I will find anything less then $130 a tire.....

Thoughts??

Dave, try this place- TireBuyer.com Last fall I got 4 LT215/85R16 tires for $408 with tax & free shipping. The ones I got were the "Trail A/P" Blk Wall.The place is in N.Carolina but they shipped from Ca. & I had them in 4 or 5 days.

Have you tried a local tire shop to see what they can do? My dad is an independent tire dealer, it's ridiculous what some of these online sites are advertising tires for at "discount rates". He can beat them on price any day of the week. I bought some Firestones last year and he beat out Tire
Rack by almost $40 each. I know I was only paying cost, but even with mark up he would've still beat them. Go with a guy down the street and not some warehouse half way across the coutry.

Chris

Thanka much. I looked at their web site and the least cost is $118 for a Capitol tire. Next is a $130 Nexan.

I went with Cooper (made in America and a premium tire) for 133 each. Shipping turned out to be $45 from CA to Oregon.

I think tire prices will continue to go the same direction as oil cost.

We really only have a few 'local' shops here along the coast. One of them is Les Schwab with carries VERY FEW tires made in USA. AND their prices are higher then the on line stores. The other is an OK tire. They carry Cooper and their price also was higher. I even checked Costco. They tried to sell me some Michelens for $210 a tire. right...

Either way, it's a bundle! I think I can mount these myself and just take them to have them balanced with inside stick on weights.

Thanks.

David, who did you end up ordering them through? Will they be the same ones that will mount them?

I used Discount Tires for the tires (~$560 delivered) and Nuera Trailer Parts for the Dexstar wheels ($208 delivered).

I will mount them myself and take them to have balanced at a local shop.. (or I might be lazy and have them mounted and balanced at the same time)

Thought I'd update everyone. The wheels and tires arrived this week. Had them mounted and balanced today. (weights on the inside and not many of them) They fit great. As for the look, it's plain and sort of utilitarian looking. I still have to get some lug nuts for them. There's not much room on these wheels for hub caps. Maybe I'll find another set of wheels one day, but for now, these allow me to run radial tires and they were cheap (200 for all 4) Plus BOTH the wheels and tires were made in USA.

new wheels and tires
another pic

Comments?

They look right - they look like truck tires.

I thought I would update everyone on the wheels and tires. Even sprung for some new lug nuts... I know the look is not orginal, but they do hold tubless radials, are new, are powder coated (on BOTH sides), balanced well and will do the job until I 'stumble' on what I want. I am keeping the orginal split rims and bias tires.

Comments?

1
2
3
4

I don't see a thing wrong with them.

I do believe those are the same style as mine! I do want to spruce up my old rims and tires someday for running the old farm truck in parades.

DMGfifty,
Who did you order your Dexstar wheels from? I went to their website and didn't see any pricing or where to order. Just a "contact us" form. Their Mini-Mod #017-257-65 looks like it would fit my truck.