VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Tire Mfgs for 1949 Pickup

I'm nearing completion of a frame-off, bare-metal restoration of my 1949 3600 PU, and the ancient tires on it are cracking with dryrot. So, can anyone tell me what black wall tires would have been factory on these original 6.70x15 split rims. I found a Kelseytire page that showed Goodyear Super Cushion as correct for 45-52, but they were high-end WW tires for cars. Naturally, because of the wheels I'll be using tubes/flaps. I would like correct style highway tires front & traction rear, but will take what I can find if necessary - Thanks

The 6.70 X 15 is a light duty passenger car tire. They were not used on 3/4 ton trucks.
The standard size tire for a 1949 3/4 ton was a 7.50 X 17 8 ply tire.
There was an optional wheel available. It was a 15" wheel, 5.5" rim width and was a truck type wheel using a clamp ring. The tires used were either 7.00 X 15 or 7.50 X 15. A passenger car 6.70 tire would have been equal to a 6.00 tire in these style truck tires and the bead would be incorrect for the truck rim.
The truck woulld have come from the factory with four highway style tread tires. A traction tire would have been installed at the dealer or tire store later.
In 1949 Chevrolet used Firestone, Goodrich and U.S.Royal (Uniroyal) tires. No whites were available in these sizes.

Hello Gene,
I was hoping to get a reply from you because of your depth. I guess I was confused because the only 15" mentioned in the owners manual is the one I listed above. Right on the money - I do have the clamp ring 15" wheels. What criteria do the judges consider on tires? For example, looking at Coker I see the 7.50x15 isn't available, and my concern for the 7.00x15 (or any replacement) is how do I know that the tread style would be correct for my age range. The 7.00x15 at Coker is on a wire wheel, leading me to believe it predates my 1949, and also, I don't want to get a tire that wasn't available until 10 years later. NOW, tell me if I'm going overboard here, as I want to show this and compete when finished and don't yet know where I might lose points. I feel fortunate that this truck has the deluxe trim and comically low mileage (runs beautifully), and I look forward to getting it out and about.
Again - thanks for the quick reply and guidance.

The tires that you are looking at on wire whhee;s are passenger car tires. Do not confuse the 7.00X15 pass. tire with a 7.00X15 truck tire.
On page 33 of their 2008 catalog there are truck type tires pictured. The type of tread design you are looking for would be like picture N or O. Unfortunatly those tires don't come in your size and the only ones Coker show in 15" are knobby mud and snow tires.
I would check a local tire store or farm equipment store and see if they offer anything in the size you need.
For VCCA judging the any brand is accepted as long as all tires are the same. The tread design should look rugged like an old truck tire but does not need to match the originals.

Well Gene's the man to set you straight Lee. My 1950, 3604 had the original rims, of course it had the rubber replace numerous times but the rims were factory original 5.5" x 15". I have a new set of Power King, Premium Super Highway 7.00 x 15LT bias plies with tubes and flaps mounted on them for those times when appearance is critical. The pattern is a standard road tread not a M/S tread.
I find it hard to believe that you could loose points for not having the original Brand of tire on the truck since back in the day you would only get 10 to 15,000 out of a set of tires on a truck like this.
Here’s a shot of the spare. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2555813020098611668rKQPtM
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny,
That a good looking tire for the "cause'.....would pass VCCA judging with no problem. :)

Gentlemen, thanks for the advice. It is good to know I have some leeway regarding the tires, and the photo is very helpful. Sometimes I get a little wound up - it's not like I'm restoring a Dusie, right?! I appreciate your help in getting this right. So, Gene - just to make sure I'm getting this right, if I put traction tires on the back and highway up front that would hurt me, but all 4 the same wouldn't? Thanks again!

The use of any traction tires would "hurt" as they were not available from the factory.

Just in case your still trying to make up your mind Lee, here’s a composite of the Power King Bias plys 7.00x15LT compared to the Cooper 8.75Rx16.5LT Radials that I’ve had on my 1950, 3604. Gives you an idea of how they fill the wheel well.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2634794000098611668JTbRKq
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Great photos again, Denny. I was also disappointed to realize that the traction rear tires would be less 'from the factory authentic', but of course that makes sense now. I'll try to find a compromise that is relatively authentic and that I can live with day to day. You guys are the best.