Dodge 1950s ute/pickup

Hi Chaps,

I am looking to get new tyres for the Dodge. Four are 6.50-16 and one is 7.00-16. Am I to guess 6.50-16 is the correct size?

Any recommendations for a source of new cross-ply tyres?

Thanks. Andrew.

Hi Chaps,

I am looking to get new tyres for the Dodge. Four are 6.50-16 and one is 7.00-16. Am I to guess 6.50-16 is the correct size?

Any recommendations for a source of new cross-ply tyres?

Thanks. Andrew.

Hi Andrew - try your local tyre company first, but if nothing then Antique Tyres will have them.

Hi Andrew,
I am a learner to the site but have been reading it for a fair time.
I have not met Swishy yet but totally agree with him- drive it for a while and ENJOY
(ps Keep putting photos up)
Fill

G'day Fellas,
In relation to the rat smell- I have had good success using concentrated clothes washing powder mixed with water. (use good quality brand- with enzyme- as this is what neutralizes the odour) Apply with a trigger spray bottle.
Downside is the white residue when it dries. Also can't guarantee it's not corrosive......probably not good if it gets wet either
Best of luck with the project,
Jim.

G'day Andrew, great ute, great save. Re the rodent smell, new seat and floor mats will get rid of a lot of it...plenty of hot soapy water, airflow and time will get the rest. Had a rodent die in an inaccessable spot in my '63 Galaxie, not very pleasant for a few months but time, airflow and air fresheners finally overcame the issue. Cheers, Paul.

Regarding tyres, I went to 750/16 on my International. They are still a fairly common light truck size tyre.

I emailed you earlier on Andrew, but I thought that others here might learn from my experience in tyre searching so have included the info here...

I found that my tyre options are very limited as I have factory (1954) 4 inch x 16 inch 5 stud pattern rims, and I'm trying to avoid fitting 'light truck' tyres as I want a more comfortable ride, and it is highly unlikely that I will be carrying any heavy load in the 53 coupe truck!
I found that my best option appears to be the Excelsior bias-ply 6.50/16 tire at $209 each + $25 per tube. My narrow rims proved an issue as most radial tyres would decrease the overall diameter too much. I compared the overall diameter of the Firestone ply whitewalls which I have on the 52 truck (720mm) with the Excelsior tire (724mm) - I suppose that will account slightly on the speedometer for my diff ratio change from 4.1 to 3.54.
My other options were either Federal or Linlong brand light truck tires at $200 and $250 each, or a Falken brand 175/85/16 radial tire (used on Lada Niva's apparently and quite rare) for around $300 each.
I will place an order with Antique Tyres tomorrow and hope to have the tires within a few days. I'll sneak in a set of stainless steel 'ribbed' trim rings (at $50 each) and hopefully the wife won't notice! How's that old saying go... It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission!