7.50R-16 tires/two piece wheels

[sodly]

Am I the only kook here who's interested in running the original two-piece (often erroneously referred to as "split rim") wheels on their '66? I'd like to know if anyone else has successfully mounted new radials on these 16" wheels. If so, what tires did you end up with? 7.50R-16s or perhaps a modern size like LT235-85-R16? Trying to figure out my options for retaining the stock wheels, which are very important to me. Please post pics if you've got any!

[TJ's Chevy]

My 64 C-20 came with split rims and bious tires....I was thinking of running them, but it is hard to find a place that mounts tires to split rims around here.:-(

[sodly]

Getting tires mounted on these rims is not an issue. The local truck shop can take care of it, no problem. However, I think my style of wheel was introduced late. It may be a '66-only wheel. Not sure about '64 wheels.

[jtrichard]

yes you can run radials you just have to use radial compatible tubes .... and of coarse new flaps ....if you like the the size of the bias tires you have then match them up with new ones for OD.that you like ... the only thing i would look at is the bead area the 750 Rs might fit the bead on the wheels better then the 235s

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by sodly

Getting tires mounted on these rims is not an issue. The local truck shop can take care of it, no problem. However, I think my style of wheel was introduced late. It may be a '66-only wheel. Not sure about '64 wheels.

It's not that it is an issue..it is that places like the Gas station won't do it anymore....I have to go to Medford to get Split rims mounted to tires....and Medford is 60+ miles away. LOL! So non-splits satisfy me.

[jtrichard]

i change my own 2 piece tires/wheels by hand

[tincan1966]

As mentioned in the original post these ARE NOT split rims.

Regardless, I have had a few tire people tell me that the radial tires have a bead profile called a "JJ" or safety bead design to fit the newer style wheels(that's the little hump in the wheel, just inside the bead flange)

These types of older wheels do not have that, so the bead for the corresponding tires is thicker to hold it against the wheel better. Now this may have just been a ploy to avoid mounting tires for me in the past, but part of it actually makes sense.

[60-66]

There's another guy here locally restoring a 1966 C20 possibly a Camper Special. He kept his lock ring rims. Said he had everything powder coated, mounted the new tires himself by wrapping chains around the rims so the ring wouldn't come off and aired them up. Said it worked great. Do I recommend doing this at home ?? Not really.I would rather have a pro tell me they are good. I met him at a car show so I'm not sure what tire he used.

My question is how good do the NEW aftermarket Bias Ply tires ride, I'm considering some 17.5 tires ???

As for the beads or bead lock. My 66 in my avatar has the original 16.5x8 non lock ring wheels but NO bead lock either. I removed the tires myself, once the air was out they fell off the bead quite easily. I wanted the white raised letters INSIDE so it appeared more original. Tires are BF Goodrich radials. They seal fine and I have not added air to them in years, also they are tubeless. I'm only saying this as an example of a Radial being on a non bead lock rim. It worked for this truck.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by sodly

However, I think my style of wheel was introduced late. It may be a '66-only wheel.

The 16" 2 piece (clip style)was introduced in mid year 1965 for the new "Custom Camper" pickups and used up thru 1968. If you must have radials, they will be fine on your rims, just use correct tubes and liners. The very slight safety bump built into new rims are for your today's drivers who like to corner at high speeds.I would not be concerned if you drive at the speed limit. I think bias ply tires will fine also, if you decide to stick with them. They are easier to find in old school tread patterns similar to the Goodyear Hi Miller spare that you have. THe correct size for radial would be 7.50R -16, the metric 235-85 is somewhat wider. Always try to get a photo of what the tire will actually look like, since tread patterns vary. There are some nice ones offered by toyo and yokohama.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 60-66

My question is how good do the NEW aftermarket Bias Ply tires ride, I'm considering some 17.5 tires ???

As for the beads or bead lock. My 66 in my avatar has the original 16.5x8 non lock ring wheels but NO bead lock either. I removed the tires myself, once the air was out they fell off the bead quite easily.

I had got a set of Denman 8-17.5" and they are nice riding tires. They don't thump like older tires used to do when cold. They are very similar to the original Kelly Springfield tire in appearance. I believe they copy original molds. The 16.5 and 17.5" wheels have a very shallow taper, which allows tires to be easily removed. The 16" wheel have a much steeper taper.

[Downlow2xfo]

Did mine myself but mine were 7.00x18

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

I had got a set of Denman 8-17.5" and they are nice riding tires. They don't thump like older tires used to do when cold. They are very similar to the original Kelly Springfield tire in appearance. I believe they copy original molds. The 16.5 and 17.5" wheels have a very shallow taper, which allows tires to be easily removed. The 16" wheel have a much steeper taper.

Like these ?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-NEW-Denman...item3a875e7e4b
http://syracuse.craigslist.org/pts/4193340079.html

Do you have any pictures installed ?

[MusicMan70]

I gave away a set of lock ring 16" rims (from the 73) to another club member and they did have radials (Toyo's) and tubes in them. I recall how heavy they were when I took them off.

[OrrieG]

In the Army I serviced split rims and saw what happens when you air them up and the ring is not set. We had them caged. I had 16" when I had the 1 ton rear end and used to change them myself, but with lots of chain wrapped around the rim. I spent a lot of time out in the boonies and wanted to be able to fix or replace the tube. I recycled them when I converted to the 74 axles, they would not it around the calipers and I got tied of messing with them. Around here only the commercial truck shops will touch them, "family" tire stores stick to modern rims.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Like these ?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-NEW-Denman...item3a875e7e4b
http://syracuse.craigslist.org/pts/4193340079.html

Do you have any pictures installed ?

Your links appear to be a different type of tread pattern tire.
Here are the exact same Denmans I have, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coker-Vintag...90996521241%26 I ordered them thru a local truck tire dealer and say denman on the side wall. They were about $130 each a few years back.Here is a photo on a 66 GMC 3/4 ton.

[sodly]

After doing more research on this subject I've concluded that 215 85R16 would be the most similar metric size to my original 7.50x16 tires. Of course, a 7.50R16 would be even closer.

[LT1 Burb]

I have a set of 4 of these I was going to scrap, are they worth keeping and putting away.

[sodly]

Originally Posted by LT1 Burb

I have a set of 4 of these I was going to scrap, are they worth keeping and putting away.

Which ones do you have?

[LT1 Burb]

They are exactly the same as yours, with the clips, they are 16" rims, came off a 66.

[sodly]

Well, I've learned a lot about two-piece wheels in the 18 months since I originally posted this topic. Turns out ANY style of tire (bias or radial) is appropriate for any wheel of the same diameter (in terms of bead profile).

So my question now becomes..... does anyone know of a good 7.50R16 highway tread light truck tire that's not 15 ply? I'm hoping to find a 6 or 8 ply. It seems that the list for such a tire is very short, possibly only one or two. I thought I'd throw it out to the members here to see if anyone knew of a tire that I'm missing. Is anyone here running 7.50R16 tires on their truck? If so, I'd love to hear your feedback on them.

[bhc41051]

STA Transport Highway - 750-16 8 Ply. The STA website says they're American made. Sold by Coker Tire. $167.00. Seems to fit your prerequisites.
If you're "all in" with your OEM wheels I don't think I'd be afraid of bias ply tires. I had a 73 C20 with bias ply Dayton Thoroughbreds on it, drove fine by me.

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styl...t-highway.html

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

In the Army I serviced split rims and saw what happens when you air them up and the ring is not set. We had them caged. I had 16" when I had the 1 ton rear end and used to change them myself, but with lots of chain wrapped around the rim. I spent a lot of time out in the boonies and wanted to be able to fix or replace the tube. I recycled them when I converted to the 74 axles, they would not it around the calipers and I got tied of messing with them. Around here only the commercial truck shops will touch them, "family" tire stores stick to modern rims.

I just bought a 47 gmc flatbed 3/4 ton with split rims, and the story is about how it came up for sale (it was a nice truck kind of in mid drive-storation) was the guy replaced his own tires and was airing a rear one up on the truck, it let go with enough force to put his hand through the stake pocket above the tire. ouch.

[sodly]

Originally Posted by bhc41051

STA Transport Highway - 750-16 8 Ply. The STA website says they're American made. Sold by Coker Tire. $167.00. Seems to fit your prerequisites.
If you're "all in" with your OEM wheels I don't think I'd be afraid of bias ply tires. I had a 73 C20 with bias ply Dayton Thoroughbreds on it, drove fine by me.

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styl...t-highway.html

Thanks, bhc. I was asking specifically about radial tires, though. I still go back and forth about which way to go.... now that I know I can go either way. I would prefer bias if I could be somehow (I don't know how) be assured that they'd drive adequately. At least with radials there should be no guessing.