6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I need to get new tires for my '48 F-1. I want radial equivalents to the 6.00X16 standard originals. I know that Coker sells an "R" version, but they are a bit more pricy than my wallet will be happy with. What size of regular radial tire should I be looking for? 215/85R16 has been suggested. They have the right diameter, but are a bit wider. Comments?

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I bought Diamon-Back radial whitewalls for my 48 Ford Conv. from Fritz's Tire in Arundel, ME 1-800-439-7712 Very please with the tires and great service from Fritz.
If you have a problem he is right here in MAINE'
Steve,
Falmouth, ME


[IQUOTE=DD931;646582]I need to get new tires for my '48 F-1. I want radial equivalents to the 6.00X16 standard originals. I know that Coker sells an "R" version, but they are a bit more pricy than my wallet will be happy with. What size of regular radial tire should I be looking for? 215/85R16 has been suggested. They have the right diameter, but are a bit wider. Comments?[/QUOTE]

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Just curious. Both tires are 16" rims but does the diameter change much?
John

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

The 600X16 bias ply tires your car came with convert to radial tire size 195/80R16

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

That is what I'm running for little over a year on my 46. I got them from Diamondback and so far, they have been outstanding.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

For what its worth im using 225/70/16 bridgestone dueller Ht on stock 49 f1 rims

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

DD......I'm glad you asked this question. I've wondered myself as I want to buy something in radial.

Thx.....Mike

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I'm using Uniroyal Tiger Paw 215-70R/16. Seem to be OK. (My 34 pickup with spoke 35 wheels) Reasonably priced.
Gary.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Hi all: I put 16" radials and radial tubes on my '48 F100 just fine, But the tire store had to install plastic filler grommets in the stem holes for the smaller tube stems. Newc

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

This is a good thread..Im in the market for tires for my 34 tudor, I want to use wide white wall radials on 35 spokes and I would like to go as wide as possible. I have no clue what size would work well.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

A basic rule of life that I try to live by is; "Don't let the directions on the can outsmart you"..
Radial tires are made to fit on certain sizes of rims, generally speaking, the minimum rim size is 6", however, many radial tires require a 6.5/7" rim.. Since most antique/old cars have rims as narrow as 3.5", the use of radial tires can be a problem waiting to happen.
On the early Ford trucks, '40-48. the F-1/F100 rim/wheel size can be solved by using wheels from a '59-66 F100.. These wheels came in both 15" & 16" with a rim width in the 5.5/6" range.. The F100 wheels will accept the stock '40-48 car/truck hub caps.
The '47-48 Merc wheels will also be 15" and will accept the '40-48 car/truck hub caps.. Caution should be used on the Merc wheels because they can be narrow, in the 5/5.5" range..
OK, why is the rim width so important? A narrow rim will pull the sidewalls in, resulting in poor road contact of the tread.. It is very important to keep the maximum amount of tread parallel to the road surface for tire life and good traction...

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Think twice about Kokers. I had Kokers on my '46 and after less than 20,000 miles I developed dangerously thin wear on both edges of my tires. It was almost like a serious under inflation problem. I check my tire pressure often and keep it at the 35psi recommended by Koker. I showed pictures of my tires to the Koker people last Hershey and was told "our tires are for show cars and not to be driven on" WHAT!!! This was verified by several people on another site and they were told the same thing. Go with Diamodbacks.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Blucar - Are your comments true for any width radial? Wouldn't a narrower tire be happy with a narrower wheel?

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I've been planning on going tubeless - as are the rires on the rig right now (except one with a porous sidewall - now you know why I'm looking for new!). Is there any reason I would want tubes?

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

L78CHEVELLE

"""The 600X16 bias ply tires your car came with convert to radial tire size 195/80R16""" Is there a conversion chart or a conversion formula?

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I have radial 550x16 on front and 750x16 on rear of my Avatar 35 fordor. These are Diamondback smooth black wall (actually manufactured by Michelin fronts & Yokohoma rears) radial tires. I used tubes, as recommended by Diamondback but not theirs, rated for use with radial tires, and also those little plastic filler spacers on the valve stems. These tires are mounted on stock '35 4" wide wire wheels. The folks at Diamondback assured me that these 750x16 tires would work fine on 4" wide wheels. Have about 12-13k miles on these tires now with no problems.

I also have a set of four Coker 600x16 WWW radial tires on another 35 Ford mounted on stock 16" wire wheels. These tires also have tubes rated for radial tires. These tires are also doing well but have only gone about 1500 miles so far.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I ran LT 215/85/R16 tubeless on stock rims for 12 years and 7:50/R16 Diamondbacks wide whites for 4 years, no problems.love the Diamondbacks.
My 1950 F-1 truck had the death wobble with bias ply tires no more problems after changing to radials.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I drive my '40 every dry day all year long. I have the Coker Firestone 600X16 bias ply tires now. I had my tires balanced when I put them on and the '40 stock 5" wide rims all showed to be very good. However, every single one of the tires was out of round and at 60 mph to 70 mph they vibrate. I decided to go the radial route and found the tire size I need is 195/80R/16. I found out the hard way the only mass produced tire in that size is made for ELECTRIC CARS ONLY. Very thin tread depth and not rated for mud and snow. If you buy a radial tire they don't have the look the bias ply tire has on the outer edges. Yokahama does make a 195/80R/16 tube less tire, but only makes them on a special order bases for volume purchases. No regular tire store will sell enough of them to meet the order requriements. The only way to get tube less radial tires in the safe and correct size is to work with a specialty tire store. Just start checking around and see what you come up with.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Apparently Bridgstone also offers a 195/80R16 - specifically designed for the Toyota RAV4 Electric vehicle. The are advertized as having low rolling resistance. Has anyone used these tires on an old Ford?

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

FOR ELECTRIC CARS ONLY means just that with the Bridgestone tires. The Yokahama tires are made for any car that can use the 195/80R16, but only specialty tire dealers can get them.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Did a little research on this one a while back, and found the Bridgestone Ecopia 195/80/16 here for $125 a piece (!)

http://www.onlinetires.com/user/vehi...allbrands.html

However, as stated earlier, this are for "electric vehicles only" -- I change my own tires with a manual tire changer, so . . .

They also have the Yokohamas at $168

The Bridgestones are apparently very slightly smaller in diameter than 600:16. A tenth of an inch or so, I believe it was. Like the bias ply looks, but for the price, I'm taking a hard look at these.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Oh, and I did read one review of the Bridgestones on an old Ford (pickup, I think it was) on here a while back -- he said it was the best change he ever made on his truck. But I have no first-hand experience with them.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Why would it make any difference if it was an electric car or not? Does the tires do something different on an electric car?

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Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I guess it could be said that a narrow tire would be "happy" on a narrow wheel, just as some guys would be happy on a narrow woman, where-as some guys like a wider woman..:D
I just took the time to again review a tire manufactures catalog.. The majority of tires listed in the catalog generally have recommended wheel widths, very few of which are narrower than 5", especially in the 15-16 inch sizes..
Throughout the years, I have encountered many salesmen that are either downright liars, or else they do not know much about what they are selling. Tire salesmen generally fall into this category...
Several years ago I purchased a set of tires for my pickup... As the tires were being installed I questioned the very aggressive tread design.. I was told that the tread design was required in order to meet the DOT MS requirements...
After driving the pickup just a few miles I returned to the tire store, I told the salesman that the tire made to much noise for me.. I was told... Sorry.. I don't make the tires, I just sell them.. I returned to the store a few days later, talked to the manager, was again told that they did not make the tires..
I went on line, looked up the tire spec's and found that they were made for 75% OFF ROAD USE IN AUSTRALIA!!!!. I called my credit card company, had the purchase price cancelled... Within a few minutes I had the store manager on the phone.. His attitude had completely changed..
He told me that the salesman had told him that I wanted new tires right now, where-as the salesman claimed that he had told me they would have to order my size.. I had elected to take the tires they had in stock... Hmmmm?
I got new tires, that were quiet..

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

One more thing I want to mention about the tires that are made for electric cars only. On the side of the tires for the entire world to see in large three inch tall letters is "ELECTRIC CARS ONLY". I don't want this on the side of tires I have on my original Ford flathead car. Do you?

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Not my first choice, but the OP wanted to know what was available. I assume the "Electric Cars Only" might become an issue finding someone to mount them on an obviously non-electric vehicle. Another issue would be how long these tires will remain available, since Toyota only made a relative handful of those electric Rav4's

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Woodiewagon, I find it very hard to believe that Coker tire told you that the tires were not for driving on. They have a no hassle guarantee and an excellent customer service department. They didnt get to be the largest antique reproduction tire company in the world by selling bad tires! maybe Koker with a "K" told you that.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

diamond backs are the way to go

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Just throwing in my two cents worth of opinion....been in this hobby for a long time....have had one set of Diamondbacks and three sets of Cokers for my roadsters. Got to tell you years ago Coker, when still trying to make a name for themselves, excelled in what I considered quality and service. Then they expanded nationally and wanted the West Coast and many conversations back here in Indiana reflected what must have been a change in Coker's tires. However after the first set their product and support went to hell. Cupping and very early premature failure. Wide white discoloration immediately. Immediate wear in/out after about 1000 miles and my wheels were true and straight, balanced properly, and air pressured maintained....Calls after calls finally got only one tire sent to me as a replacement. I had to pay shipping. My complaints could go on and on. I switched to Diamondback and have never regretted it for a moment. Fully pleased with their product, their service and their committments. I can jump in one of my cars, take a short or a long trip and not worry about getting home on its own rubber! Sometimes the little companies produce better than the large! Take it for what it's worth. At my old age I don't really give a damn if you agree or not!

When I grow up I want to be just like me!

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I have the electric vehicle only tires on my 1950 f1. they have been on for about 7,000 miles. they seem to wear well, and they really helped the handling .

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Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I just returned a defective 670x15 firestone www bias. to Coker, it had tread separation ( bubbles in the sidewall near the tread ) they will try to get you to ship the tire back then reimburse you for the shipping, don't fall for that line, insist that they send you a prepaid shipping label. thats what they did for me after some insistance.
shipped back via Fed Ex per thier instructions
tire had about 7,500 mi on it. I received a check from them for $92.00 ( I did not want another tire )
also, if you buy a set from them make sure you registar the tires.
the rep was very good but remember he works for Coker.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I have been running Ecopia brand for electric cars only tires on my 40 wagon for almost 2 years--tread depth shallow BS, I drive it thru the mountains, rain, traffic and could not be happier, a friend of mine has already returned a set of coker radials, came apart right out of the wrapper from coker--now that is crap, why send out a defective tire?

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

On my 49 f1 used 215/70/16 bridgestone dueller HT

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I ran tubless Radial tires for many years on my 1951 F1. I worked in a dealer collision repair shop and took all the tires home that were replaced because of minor cuts etc. Never had a problem. I had that truck for about 18 years and hauled some very heavy loads. Heavest load that was weighed was 2700 lbs of crushed stone but have hauled even heavier loads just don't know how much they weighed. It was a work truck and I worked it.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

old post but my .02, I have some 195/75-16 from Diamond Back on my '47 car (last 4yrs). They're great, slightly look like bias and run tubeless on 4.5 rims. Sadly I don't see them on Diamond Backs website anymore, they're still made by Federal tire and are their Ecovan EC01 and I'm not sure if I can get them state side. I like the Idea that they're a production tire and not a one off for old cars. I also run 215/80-LT16 BF Goodrich Commercial T/A on my '54 panel, tubeless, 5" wide rims. Had them on for 2 years, they're great, slight bias look and tall.

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

I looked into getting the Federal EC01 tires too, but I think they will be hard to find in the US. They would be perfect size. 175/75-R16 Front and 215/75-R16 Rear.

Anybody know where to buy these?

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

Re: 6.00X16 radial conversion
 

1oldtimer - where did you buy those? Are they the federal brand tires that diamondback tire added whitewalls to? Unfortunately, I don't think diamondback carries those anymore.