Largest Tires for 1948 Ford Coupe?

[Flathead Guy]

My newly acquired '48 Coupe is currently running old, worn out 6 X 16 All-State tires on the original steel rims on the original, unmodified suspension. I would like to replace them with the tallest, widest radial tires that will still fit those original 6" X 16" rims. I found some various conversion charts with various results some stating a 205/70 r16 is the maximum tire I could put on the 6" wide rim. Is that true? Has anyone put large radials on their 6"X16" rims on their '41-48? Thanks in advance.

[Bob C]

I think the original rims are 4".

[4t7heaven]

Originally Posted by Flathead Guy

My newly acquired '48 Coupe is currently running old, worn out 6 X 16 All-State tires on the original steel rims on the original, unmodified suspension. I would like to replace them with the tallest, widest radial tires that will still fit those original 6" X 16" rims. I found some various conversion charts with various results some stating a 205/70 r16 is the maximum tire I could put on the 6" wide rim. Is that true? Has anyone put large radials on their 6"X16" rims on their '41-48? Thanks in advance.

Just to clarify, are you wanting the widest tire, the tallest sidewall, or both?
If it were me and wanted big tires, I would go "after market" with 15" wheels and a 7" width to allow for more tire size options. You don't have much extra room inside the rear fenders to work with.

[Mart]

Hello Flathead guy, welcome to the forum.

You have 6.00-16 tires. Standard fit for the 48 Fords. the wheels are probably 4-1/2" wide, 16" diameter. I don't know about radials, but people regularly use 6.50, 7.00 and 7.50-16s on the 4.5" rims.

I have personally used 235-85-16s on a 4" rim and it was ok, on a fenderless 34 coupe. They might be a bit too big for your car though You want a full profile tire, 82, 80 or 75. The tall sidewall is what makes the tires go on the narrower rims without problem.

Others may chime in with what radials they have used, but also others might say that you will have rims cracking if you use radials.

Basically you have to use your own judgement and decide how far you want to push the envelope with regards to how far outside the recommended width you are prepared to step.

The other consideration is that most big 16" radials are truck tires. you want the least truck like ones you can find.

Mart.

[Flathead Guy]

Thanks for the quick responses and suggestions. Just what I was looking for! I haven't taken tires off the rims so I didn't know the correct width was 4". Good to know!

[V8COOPMAN]

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The rear tires on this '36 coupe are 7.50 X 16" Excelsior Stahl radials mounted on 16 X 4-1/2"-wide '42-'48 Ford wheels. Fits great and drives like a dream. The fronts are 5.50 X 16" Excelsiors on 4"-wide 1940 Ford 16" wheels. Heard Saxon's car in Florida.


1948 Ford wheels are definitely 4-1/2" wide, measured BETWEEN the beads...period! DD

[RalphM]

I have put 7.50 x 16 tires on original rims on the back of a 47 coupe, they look good and fit good, but to get them on and off you have to jack up the body and pry the axle down to get them to fit into the fender.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

The rear tires on this '36 coupe are 7.50 X 16" Excelsior Stahl radials mounted on 16 X 4-1/2"-wide '42-'48 Ford wheels. Fits great and drives like a dream. The fronts are 5.50 X 16" Excelsiors on 4"-wide 1940 Ford 16" wheels. Heard Saxon's car in Florida.


1948 Ford wheels are definitely 4-1/2" wide, measured BETWEEN the beads...period! DD

The tires and wheels on this black '32 roadster show in far better detail the identical Excelsior tires and Ford wheels, in sizes identical to the ones I described on Heard's 3-Window coupe above. DD

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone. I'm just thinking that the tire that you can fit under your car definitely depends on the suspension status. A sagging car vs. a stand-up-tall one is what I'm picturing. So doesn't the state of the springs most likely dictate the tire tolerances? Maybe trial fitting of multiple sets would eventually give the desired results.

[Flathead Guy]

Thanks everyone for the additional information and photos! Very helpful and it sure builds my confidence. I attached two pictures showing its "stance" or "rake" with its original suspension and 6.00-16 tires. In my opinion (limited experience), the original leaf springs are strong keeping it close to its original height when looking at the axle vs. body location.