what tires can replace the 6.50 x 16 on a 56 F250? radial or bias ply. makes?. what is the rim width if the stock 8 lug rim? What later year rims that have a greater width will fit the stock 56 dana 60?

 

The stock 16" wheel was 6" wide and had 8 lug x 6.5" bolt circle. That same bolt pattern was used on F-250s right up to the 1997 F-250 HDs. After that everything went metric. Avoid the 1997 light duty F-250. It had seven lugs and a metric pattern.

That gives you a lot of choices. If you're intent on staying with a straight 16", the widest I find up through my 1990 Hollander Interchange is your stock 6". To go wide you'd be looking at using a 16.5" "super single" from the '70s era Camper Specials. They were 9.75" wide. There was also a 16.5" x 8.25". Both of these were specified for rear use only. You'll have to use caution going wider on the front so as not to rub.

I'm no help on modern tire sizing. Any tire dealer can help you with appropriate sizing for whatever wheels you end up with. Or you could call an on-line company like Coker that sells both bias and radial to see what they say will fit. Here's Coker's link. Coker Tire

 

thanks for the info Stu. If a new rim is no different dimensionally than the original. I'll stick with those. Call mt local tire sop this morning and was told something around 225/75 would work. I know a 245 tire will fit on a 6" rim from previous experience but there is a bit of tire bulge.

 

The other advantage to staying with your stock wheels is the ability to keep your stock hub caps. And they are being repop'd if you don't have nice original ones. Good luck with it. Stu

 

I'm running a set of 16" 8 bolt aftermarket aluminum wheels on my 54. The tires are 245/70/16 Michelins, if I remember right. They may be 75's but I'll have to look for sure. I do get a little be of rubbing on full lock turns, but other than that they have worked OK. The front axle is stock with a '72 F250 axle in the rear.