Tires On Wheels

[squirebill]

Have a '49 Dodge B1B. Been looking for used tires for it and found a set of 215-75R16s. Question is: can these tires be used on the stock 16 in. wheel/rims or are wider rims needed? Tech Items under Resources of this forum talks about sizes but doesn't mention rims. Also, if stock rims can be used, are tubes recommended or can they be used tubeless? Have 6.50-16s on it now, and looks like plenty of clearence. Any problem using the 215 mm.(8.5 in.) wide tire?

[Young Ed]

I think those will work. I am running 215 85 r 16s on my original rims without tubes.

[Ram Man 02]

I'm sure the stock rims are narrower then what the tire is recommended to be mounted on but they are 16" so it would work. If you are concerned about the rim width being a problem, go to a junkyard and get some steel wheels off any 70s or 80s style dodge diplomat or similar rear wheel drive car. They are also 5x4.5 Bolt pattern just like your truck. But these rims will be a couple inches wider then stock. That's what I'm running on my truck for the time being

[B1B Keven]

I'm running 235/85r/16's on stock wheels, no tubes.

[Jocko_51_B3B]

Hi Keven,

 

I want to use the correct size wheels on my '51 B3B which, from reading various posts, should be 16" x 4.5" with a 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) I have the correct front and rear drums and lug bolts. I found the following link to a company called "Performance Plus" that sells the correct wheels (I think), but these wheels sure aren't inexpensive. The PP wheels are also the wrong color for the B3B which I believe should be a cream color. Does anyone know of a cheaper source? Does $189 per wheel sound "in the ballpark"? Also, will 235/85r/16's fit on these wheels?

 

http://www.performanceplustire.com/products/wheels/productID/16081/wheelDataID/200348

 

I'm new to truck restoration so I have to ask detailed questions before opening up the old wallet!

 

Glenn L

[pflaming]

I have 15" rims. The smaller rim diameter gives the tire more sidewall thus a better ride, so it is said. Just one option. No fault either way IMO.

[The Oil Soup]

The price on those seems a little steep

[Dave72dt]

The middle set of numbers in the tire size is the aspect ratio, the percentage of sidewall to tire width. (first set of numbers in mm).  A 235/85r 16 would have a taller sidewall and be a taller tire than a 235/70r 16.  A smaller rim will not necessarily give you a taller sidewall.  A higher number aspect ratio will, using the same width and rim diameter.  The taller sidewalls do tend to ride better then the shorter ones.  They also give more in corners so the handling is not as crisp as the lower aspect numbered tires.  A 235/85r16 can come in varying ply ratings also so a common 10 ply rating on one of those tires will ride differently than the same tire size in a 6 or 8 ply rating, same tire pressure.  An 85 aspect ratio would be the most correct aspect ratio tire compared to original tires unless you want to pay the bucks to get the old retro tire sizes.

[TodFitch]

I have . . . that I would like to get rid of. . .

Please repost in classifieds.