New guy needs info on 16' Tires for 1953 Dodge B4B

[Dan693]

I am new to the group and seriously thinking about a 1953 Dodge B4B project.  I looked at one this evening with 47,000 miles which spend it's life on a farm in Ohio.  I am doing a bit of due delegence before pulling the trigger on the deal. I have a question on the proper size modern tire for the 16" wheel.

The old original tires are 6.00x16.

Thank you all in advance,

Dan

[Los_Control]

A little vague on the information. .... sounds like a cool project .... or is it a restored beauty?

 

I think that the typical tire height is about 29"-30" .... someone will know exactly what it should be.

Just now, Dan693 said:

have a question on the proper size modern tire for the 16" wheel

There are a few tire suppliers out there that will provide the correct tire for the wheel.

I'm just not sure if all of them use the same size chart .... one person sells a 6.00 x 16 27" tall .... next persons sells same size 29" tall.

The diameter is what you will be looking for.

 

You say it is a project, been used on a farm all of it's life .... whats your plans/goals for it? Restore to original or make a decent driver out of it?

A 235/75/15 radial is a nice tire that many swap to for a modern tire wheel. Has the correct height & is reasonably priced & available.

 

The factory rims changed through the years on these old trucks, my 49 I believe came with 4.5" wide 16" wheels .... average 16" modern tire are simply too wide for them.

So just about any correct tire you or the tire shop will have to order them online. ..... Depends what your goals are for the truck.

 

A B3B would share the same bolt pattern as a 1990's Ford explorer, Jeep Cherokee or a older 5 lug Dodge Dakota ..... just for easy to find wheels to make it a roller while working on it. .... The bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5" ... many old vehicles used it Mopar, Ford, AMC  etc...

 

[Dan693]

Thank you for the reply.  I see that Coker has 6.00x16 bias tires.  The current owner has taken the truck part so I will buying a truck in a box!!!!  It will be awhile before I need to decide on tires and wheels but I am currently thinking to keep it as stock as possible and drive it.  In other words not a show truck.

I am working on a project budget.

Dan

[bkahler]

Welcome to the forum   

 

If you're planning on driving it, I would suggest buying radial tires for the truck.  There's a reason bias tires were replaced by radial tires. 

 

Brad

[Dan693]

Thanks Brad.

I agree with you but I am not sure what 16" radial tires are available.  I have not really looked into it yet.  I may be buying the truck tomorrow.
I will have a loooong to do list soon!!!!!

And lots of wisdom and help from this group.

Dan

[bkahler]

Yep, 16" radial tires are readily available.  

 

This forum is filled with extremely knowledgeable and helpful people.  These old trucks are easy and fun to work on.  

 

Good luck

 

 

[Dan693]

Thank you Brad.  That is great info.  Will I need a radial tube also?

I went to see the truck yesterday and was concerned that the current owner had taken the truck down to the bear frame and was not careful about bagging and tagging the parts as he took them off.  Turns out he did a great job of that (maybe better than I would have).  When he bought the truck from the original owner's estate he got the engine running and made a video of him driving the truck.  Then he took two winters to take it apart.  He is a very nice young man with a love of MOPAR cars.  He now has a family and a Dodge Challenger project and has decided to move the little truck on to a new home.

Dan

[bkahler]

It sounds like you can't go wrong with this truck.  The fact that it is in pieces means there will be a part or two that comes up missing, I don't think you could expect anything less.  Missing parts can be found so I wouldn't be too concerned about that.  Dodge parts aren't as easy to find as Ford and Chevy parts, but they are out there.  

 

I didn't use inner tubes when I put the radial tires on but do plan on doing so the next time I buy new tires.  The radials have been on the truck for 2+ years and have zero miles   I've had to air them several times and I think I will just feel more comfortable having tubes inside them.  The rims are original, and I don't believe they were designed to be used without inner tubes.  I could be wrong but that's how I'm looking at it.

 

Brad

[Dan693]

Restoreation guide.pdfRestoreation guide.pdfRestoreation guide.pdfI have a 1951 MG TD that I put radial tires on and used tubes.  So will do the same with truck.

The truck is original and complete so I am hoping to have a minimum of missing parts.

Everyone has a Ford or Chevy but I bet they wished they had a Dodge!

I am excited!!!!!

I am going to order a Restoration Guide.  Is the one I have attached a good one?

Dan

[bkahler]

I'm Triumph TR6 fan myself   I have a 72 that's also undergoing restoration.

 

I have that book and several other of Don's books.  I don't remember if that's his best one or not, but they are all good.  Like many guys I look mostly at the pictures, but his documentation style is very good as well.

 

 

 

 

 

[Dan693]

Thanks for all of the great info.  Every one needs a little British car.

We have had our TD since 1969.

Dan

[ggdad1951]

I run a flap and tube on my radials on my 1 ton FWIW.

[bkahler]

31 minutes ago, ggdad1951 said:

I run a flap and tube on my radials on my 1 ton FWIW.

 

Flap?

 

[Los_Control]

Flap is a rubber guard that protects the tube from chaffing on the metal wheel.

You install the tube into the tire then the flap goes in between the tube & wheel.

Then the tire goes on the wheel.

 

Something all big trucks use as standard equipment, should be the same with any tube type tire.

You can install without it .... I personally would only do so as a roadside emergency to get home.

 

[bkahler]

Ah, I've seen those before, just didn't know what they were called.  Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Dan693]

Thank you.  They are also used on wire wheels for the same reason.  Dan

[1949 Wraith]

I am using BF Goodrich 215/75-16 radials on my '51 B3B. They are just a little shorter than the bias ply tires. This size was used on some older SUVs so there is not much in the different brands in this size. But these are a very nice ride.

[Dan693]

Hello all,

I have purchased the 1953 Dodge B4B Truck-O-Matic 1/2 ton.

I have two more trips to pick up the remaining pieces to the jig saw puzzle then the adventure begins.

The seller did have an original shop manual and a new parts lists.  I will order a Don Bunn restoration manual.  With those documents, the sellers 71 photos, bagged and tagged parts, and assistance from this forum it should eventually get back together with all the parts in the right location!!!!

I appreciate all of the assistance I have received so far and will be back often.

Please feel free to comment at any time.

Questions:

Has anyone converted to a 2 circuit master cylinder?

Has there ever been a thread that followed a restoration project of a B 1/2 ton on this forum?

Dan

[bkahler]

Congratulations, let the fun times begin

 

Yes, I converted my 51 B3B to dual master and I'm assuming a 53 B4B would be the same.  I believe Dodge changed the MC arrangement on the C series trucks.

 

There are a lot of good restoration threads here, this is my restoration thread.

 

Brad