6.00X16 radial conversion

[DD931]

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?

[48fordconv]

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]

[oldford2]

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

[L78CHEVELLE]

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

[Steves46]

Originally Posted by L78CHEVELLE

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

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.

[8CM]

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

[mike42]

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

Thx.....Mike

[31chevy]

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

[Newc]

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

[Ken Arms]

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.

[blucar]

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...

[woodiewagon46]

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.

[DD931]

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

[DD931]

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?

[BoxCar Tom]

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?

[JM 35 Sedan]

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.

[Bums F-1]

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.

[L78CHEVELLE]

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.

[DD931]

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?

[L78CHEVELLE]

Originally Posted by DD931

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?

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.