Hello all,

I know this isnt a slant specific question, but it is for my slant six 1966 Dodge D300 dually. I can not seem to find anywhere what size wheels that it should take on the front or backs. There is a mix of tire sizes currently on it (700x16, 750X16, 225/?/16, and 235/75/16). I looked in the service and owners manuals with no luck. The rims are the locking ring rim type with the 6X7.25" bolt pattern. I currently have a spare 235/75/16 that is new and I am looking to replace all tires. Would it be a good idea to go with a different size on the front the the rear? Any suggestions on size would be great. I want to go with a radial tire with radial tubes.

Thanks,
Scott

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1966 Dodge D300 with 225 3.7L
Scott C.
A family restoration and education project.

I would guess that the original size would be the 7.50/16 although not all of the older truck came with standard size tires. Some were ordered with different sizes. {various reasons} but, the "Metric tires did not come out on trucks until late in the 70's, early eighties depending on the manufacturer. If it were me I would go for the 235/80 R16 in at least an E rating {or higher} there is also a 235 /85 R 16. These choices are truck tires and are readily available and really dont cost too much because soo many trucks run them. You will have to run a tube with the split rims. And good luck finding someone to deal with the split rims. Some places wont mess with them. {they are dangerous if you are unfamiliar to working with them.} Good luck!

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1979 W150 Shortbox
225, NP435, 9 1/4, Dana 44

The Good Life.

DO NOT INFLATE OUTSIDE OF A TIRE GAGE

Get rid of the rims! There is a reason semi trucks dont use them anymore. I was using an old D500 dump truck in a rock pit and one came apart when I hit a pot hole going 25MPH. Yes I had a load but most people using these trucks do......

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~Nic

I don't know that with the 6-lug pattern he has much choice in wheels. Its keep the split rims or have the wheel centers cut out and put in newer hoops at great expense is it AFAIK.

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Joshua

There is plenty of aftermarket rims out there and even some good used semi truck rims that will work. I dont know how you are using your truck but if its just a driver you can even get rid of the duly rims and put a single wide rim. There costly and you lose some towing capacity but they look great.

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~Nic

Okay, show me one new aftermarket dually wheel with the 6x7.25" bolt pattern that isn't in the $200/each class.

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Joshua

These guys have em but they dont advertise it.
http://www.ricksontruckwheels.com/

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~Nic

Thanks for the input so far. I think I understand the dangers of utilizing the original locking ring rims. I have researched the original rims and it seems that as long as I keep them properly inflated, the primary threat is while filling. The truck is a basic/cheap restore to be used primarily for pleasure and maybe to tow a 23' boat occasionally. I set up a remote filling hose so that I can be 20ft away and on the other side of a wall while filling. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any aftermarket rims with the 6x7.25 bolt pattern. Even if I did, I think that they would cost in excess of $1000 for the six wheels plus the costs of the tires.

Getting back to the tires. Should the front and the back duallys have the same size tires? Will the width of the front tires effect the effort needed to turn the steering wheel at slow or no speed? Lastly, what different sizes would work well in this application? So far I have the recommendation of 235/85/16 for all six. Does this sound right?

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1966 Dodge D300 with 225 3.7L
Scott C.
A family restoration and education project.

I'd have all the tires the same size so you can rotate them.


(and worse case, steal one from the rear if a front is flat (assuming you don't have a load that requires all 4 tires in the rear))

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Just a final note for record keeping. I decided to go with 215/85/16 as the 235s did not leave any room between the duallys. I purchased Firestone Transforce H/T. So far I installed 1 and think it was a great fit.

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1966 Dodge D300 with 225 3.7L
Scott C.
A family restoration and education project.