Tire and wheel question

[coW52Dodge]

Sorry about the million questions but I'm new to my 52 B 1/2 ton truck.

The tires will definitely need replacing: all but one are all cracked. If I drove it, it would only be a matter of time before they blow out.

The tire reads "7.00 16 LT 6 Ply".

I am not sure whether my rims are stock. When I measure diagonally from the rim's edge to the other edge, I get about 17".

It also has a weird square stem.

I'd like the truck to be practical so that I can get the tire fixed or replaced anywhere, along with replacing the stem and such. If I want to standardize to something modern for that reason, would I need to replace the rim?

WheelVintiques has some really nice stock looking rims but what would be a good combination wheel/tire for a pilothouse?

Getting a slightly taller tire may help me with my low rear end ratio, right? I don't want to change the look by putting really fat rubber on the truck but what standard run-of-the-mill tire would look good and work for me?

What have you guys done?

[4852dodge]

The truck should be 5 lug on 4 1/2 circle. This is a very common pattern for Ford and Dodge cars until the 90's. You should be able to pick a wheel that works for you without a problem. The Jeep Libery also uses the same pattern but the offset is very different.

[greg g]

the rim diameter is measured where the tire seats against the bead, so your measurment is including the outer edge of the bead area. I am running wheelvintique wheels on my coupe but its improtant to note they won;t support the stock hubcaps. I run baby moons and trim rings. Put a straight edge across the top of the tire and then measure down the ground / floor, to get the over all diameter of the tire. Then there are lots of calculators which will give you tire diameters of modern radials. The caveat here is that most modern tires like a wider rim andy if your rims are stock they are porbably 4.5 or 5 inches wide. The ones I got are 5 inches wide and I am running 225 75 15's on my car on the rear.

Yes taller tires will effect your final drive ratio, as the revolutions per mile decreases as tire diameter increases. If you buy aaftermarket wheels the back space is a critical measurment I believe 4 inches as more will lead to tire interference with the springs.

With the truck you have some choices of contemporary LT sizes. some one suggested the size that is normally used on Dual wheel applications, seems they are 195 80 16 or something like that. Those would probably fit your stock rims. Most tire shops have two piece fill valves that screw together and cover the odd shaped rim holes. Some folks run tubes, and some run tubeless. If you look your stock rims are riveted together inner to outer oiece. lots of folks will put some silicone over the rivets to run tubless some say it isn't necessary,

Here is a calculator you can play with.

http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

I am building a Studebaker pickup, and I will be running 15 inch rims from a Chevy pickup they are 15 by 6. Will be running 215 70's up front and 235 75's on the back. I do like the looks of a wider tire.

Check Dunlop Suv tires I believe they also have a 195 75 16 that should look pretty good on a truck

[Reg Evans]

Try Diamondback Tires for some tall 750 x 16 radials. I have their wide whites in that size on my 42 coupe with it's stock 16" rims. Nice and tall for less rpm's

[coW52Dodge]

Should I keep the original rims, is it practical in that the tire places know how to deal with the square stems? Or would I need to buy stems from somewhere?

[Reg Evans]

Square Stems ????? I had my stems replaced with brass two piece ones.

[Merle Coggins]

I've never seen a square valve stem, but they are no doubt attached to the tubes that you'll be pulling out anyway. Then put some good two piece, screw together, valve stems and mount your tires tubeless.

Merle

[greg g]

as stated above

Most tire shops have two piece fill valves that screw together and cover the odd shaped rim holes.

[coW52Dodge]

Gotcha. Thanks! Dealing with these trucks is totally different than dealing with aircooled VWs so thank you for being patient with me.

In that case, I may leave the rims alone so the hubcaps work without problems.

I'm sure these tires are not original 1952 vintage but they've been on the truck for quite a while - this truck lived on a farm for most its life so the owner just did the basics to keep it rolling, it seems. The tires are cracked but worn. The stems look different than anything I've seen so assumed they were old or special.

Looking around for info, I stumbled across this chart. It seems to cross a 700-16 to a 215/85R16.

In case I can't find a 700-16 locally, can I just buy the 215/85R16 as a replacement or is there something else I need to look out for?

[Young Ed]

Thats the size I have on my original rims. I have them tubeless with screw in valve stems. Been on there for ~8 years and 3500 miles.

[coW52Dodge]

Thats the size I have on my original rims. I have them tubeless with screw in valve stems. Been on there for ~8 years and 3500 miles.

I stopped by BJ's (a buying club here on the East Coast) a little while back and they quoted me $120 per tire, mounted. That's the route I'll take as well, then.

This forum may have limited exposure (like our pilothouses) but you guys know your stuff. Thanks, guys!

[Young Ed]

I paid about 100 each back then so I'd say thats a fair price. Mine are from Fleet Farm.

[greg g]

I see they tout their tires as being less effected by wondering. I hate it wen tire are concerned about the next surface they may encounter. Its nice to know the these tires go about thier evironment more assured than the competition.