B1B Pilot House > Tires

[bwengler]

Just wondering does anyone have a recommendation for tires for 1948 B1B 1/2 ton. It is a very early serial number truck and the parts book call out 15x4.5 rims. Would like to put radial tires that give somewhat of an original look. Any recommendations...

[P15-D24]

http://p15-d24.com/page/p15d24/tech/enhancements.html#tires

[Merle Coggins]

What rims are on it now? Many of the 1/2 ton trucks came with 16" wheels. 16 X 4.5" wide I believe, with 4.5" wheel pattern. My B2C has 15" X 5.5" rims with 5" bolt pattern. I'm running 235 75R-15's. When I was out at Tim's BBQ parties I noticed a lot of the California 1/2 ton trucks have 15" wheels. Maybe that was an option, or several left coasters switched out their truck rims with 15" car rims.

 

Merle

[bwengler]

Actually if you look in the book > Dodge B-Series Trucks - Restorer's & Collector's Reference Guide and History it has a statement that says 1/2 ton Pilot House Trucks all used 16 inch wheels. That is false. I have an original MOPAR Parts List for Dodge "Job Rated" Trucks - B Series 1948 - 1953. The first B-1-B 1948 Trucks came with 15 x 4.5 wheels up to a certain serial number. Mine is serial number 820454xx. Which falls in the very early trucks. Coker tires says to use 215 75R15s. I am not so concerned about the size as much as a recommendation on brand and width. I am leaning toward using 225 75R15 to get just a little more width on the tire. So, back to the original question, anyone have a brand or tire pattern they like? thanks

[JBNeal]

I agree with Merle, ya might want to verify your rim dimensions before committing on a tire size as a lot could have happened to that truck in the last 67 yrs...my early '48 has been in the family since new, but nobody recalls the engine being replaced with the '55 Plymouth 230 that has been in it since probably the 60s

[Merle Coggins]

I'm running Yokohama Geolanders, only because they were the cheapest tires I could find at the time in the size I wanted. But I've been quite happy with them too.

 

Merle

[bwengler]

^{Confirmed they are 15 X 4.5} 

[JBNeal]

If you go with the 225/75R15, the steering wheel will take more effort at slower speeds than the 215/75R15...if you want a  smoother ride, go with a passenger car tire rather than a truck tire (P215/75R15 rather than LT215/75R15).  As for brands, that kinda depends on how much you will be driving the truck...cheaper tires typically will wear faster, transmit more road noise, have less traction on cold and/or wet surfaces, and may be more prone to separate in less than 3 years.  I'd stay away from Chinese or Indian tires as they may be cheap but they may give ya trouble sooner than ya want.  Most domestic tires rated 35k-45k miles will probably be the best value