I'm gonna need some new tires and i'm wondering what options I have for my 1951 16" wheels. They have 6.50-16's on them now, what's a close modern size?

TIA
Joe

 

My info shows a 6.50-16 as 6.75" wide and 29.92" tall. On a 16" rim a 225/75 r 16 is a close match.Try this site to compare tires www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Bob

 

Here's the tire calculator I like to use. It's not as fancy with the Java graphics like Bob's, but they're really not necessary. You can also go directly to the search for tires link and find out what is available, with prices, in your chosen size.

Tire Size Calculator - Discount Tire Direct

 

Hmmn, a 225/75/16 is 8.9" wide, I wonder if these rims will support a tire that wide, I think you're supposed to stay within 2" of the width of the wheel. I need to check my shop manual.

Also, I thought the 6.50 in my current tire size was literally 6.5" wide, is that not right?

That's a good one, I like the one at tirerack.com, but none of them seem to accept a 6.50-16 tire size, lol oh well, nothing's been easy to find for this truck so far, it's part of the thrill of the chase I guess.

 

I guess I should have asked some questions first, are you looking to keep your gearing the same (speedometer), looking for original look,are you set on using stock rims? The answers can be more exact with more input.The truck will accept (clearance) the size I gave.You can go with 15" rims and open alot more options.

Bob

 

Looking through my National Wheel and Rim Association manuals, your 4.50" rim is spec'd for a 6.50 tire. On that narrow rim you'd be looking at a modern 175mm width. It would take a 6" rim to properly fit a 215 width. To my mind you're better off staying with a modern 6.50 x 16" tire like would be available from Coker, Universal, Lucas, or Miller. Stu

 

Yeah, well i've got a two-phase plan for this truck and phase one would definitely include the stock rims, so for now that's the plan. The gearing (rearend) will change at some point in between phase 1 & 2. I'm not too concerned about what the speedometer says all my trucks have had 33" tires and so i'm pretty used to correcting my driving to match. Thanks for the help BTW

You're probably right, I just have so many other places money could go on this truck. I have had awesome luck dealing with a company in Soutd Dakota that used to be called Hi-Tech Retreading and is now called Treadwright.com i've used them for years and I have some of their tires on my Durango right now, I love them and they're exactly half the price of regular tires and in my experience at least the same quality. I was just wanting to try and find a modern equivalent. But, I would like a thin white wall in the future and I probably should just invest in a nice set from Coker...