I searched but came up empty. I'm trying to figure out what size all season radial tires I can get on my stock 16" rims. I think these rims are pretty unique so I'm thinking about having them media blasted and coated but I want to be sure I can get a tire that will look good and provide good traction. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Steve

 

Stock '54 half ton wheels are 16" x 4.5". The below charts give you the specifics of the standard and optional tire choices. I'll not voice an opinion on radial tires, but am sure the others will share their experiences. Stu

 

Thanks Stu.

Does anyone know what size modern radial will fit on a 4.5" wide rim?

 

I have not tried it personally, but I've heard of guys using a 215-85R16 on a stock rim. It's going to be about the same height as the original tires, but an inch or two wider.

 

Thanks Wayne. That sounds like it would work out perfectly. Hopefully someone
will who has tried it will chime in here. Some pictures would be great.

 

Every time this question comes up, I get a little nervous. I always wait around for somebody else to describe their experiences with radials, but it hardly ever comes. It seems just a very few of us are running radials like this (or very few of us are willing to speak up and answer questions about this). Yes, I've been running LT 215/85/16's on my original rims for almost 2 years now. No problems for me so far. I'm not saying it's the right thing or the wrong thing to do......just sayin it's working for me so far. Look at my gallery. The black F-1 in the avatar is the one. If you search this question in this forum, you'll see multiple threads containing our previous discussions about this.

 

Thanks Shane. I like the look of those tires on the truck a lot.

I have a good friend that owns an antique car service & restoration business. As you would imagine, he's very old school and true to era correct replacement parts. He just finished a '67 corvette for a customer who, against his advice, insisted on radials. I never thought I would hear these words from him but he said driving that car back-to-back bias ply to radial made a radial believer out of him. Now I know this might be entirely different for these trucks but that's what started my thinking about this.

Thanks for the tip on the search. I'll check out radials and LT 215/65/R16's discussions on this forum.

Steve

 

Go to Diamondback Tire (Diamond Back Classic Radial Tires) and read their statements on the subject under their FAQ section. They're big fans of radials.

 

Shane,
Yes... this subject is clear as mud! I checked out the opinions here and on DB. I doesn't look like DB carries the LT 218's. Where did you find yours?

 

At a local tire store. Ideally, you need about a 195 or 205 tire to get as close as possible to the original size, BUT you won't find them readily available in those sizes on the regular commercial market without having to use a specialty place like Diamondback or Coker. My truck has Cooper Destination LT 215/85/16's.

 

i put radials on my 54 in 1999. My local garage owner friend found some that looked pretty good. It really improved the ride! It went over RR tracks better than our family minivan.

HOWEVER: it was a bear to steer, especially when parking!!!! last fall I needed 2 new tires to pass state inspection. I then decided to go back to bias ply. I found a tire store that had 16" x 6.00 tires. I put them on the front and the 2 best radials on the back. My truck steers great now. I can park easier and I can use one hand to steer when backing up and turning... When the 2 radials need replaced I will buy bias ply...

Go to my gallery to see closeups of my truck with all radials and with bias ply on the front. I am not sure of the size of my radials. It is storming here in PA now so I don't feel like running out to the garage... I can tell you tomorrow....

Word of caution: a chain tire store would not put radials on my original rims, so I went to the family owned local garage. I had no problems with the radials, just the steering at slow speed problem.

 

I have LT215/85-R16 Commercial T/As on my '54 panel with 16x5 stock outer bump wheels. No problems, I've been running radials on other stock 50's/60's wheels for about 20 years and all are good.

 

Thanks guys. This is the best input since you have actual driving experience with these tires. Both of your trucks are outstanding.