VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 1950's 4400 tires size

Does anybody know the tire size for a 1953 4400 1 1/2ton truck?

I found a nice low miles survivor and am thinking about buying it for our mini farm... curious about tire cost though!

The 1953 1 1/2 ton truck used either 6.50x20 or 7.00x20 tires on a 20 x 5.0 wheel.

I would assume they came from the factory with widowmaker split rims?

It could have conventional split rims on it. They are safe to use as long as they are not rusted real bad in the groove for the lock ring. My '53 Firetruck has them on it.

I think 6.50 tires would look very small on that truck. They look pretty small on my '36.
7.00 or 7.50 would be a better looking tire on that size truck.

Mike

The literature I have on the '47-'54 Chevrolet 4400 series 1 1/2 ton trucks, shows them coming standard with 7.50/20 front, & rear, with optional 8.25/20 available on rear.

Thanks guys!

I'll probably pass on the truck due to the rim issues... shame, its a clean unit but i'd have more into the rims and tires than they are asking for the truck if its does have the widowmakers.

The term "widow maker" as it applies to truck rims is an often used and seldom accurate reference.
The most common wheels used on Chevy trucks of the period in discussion are safe to use and handle with some common sense precautions. These are 2 piece or 3 piece rims where the removable ring is effectively one side wall of the rim. These rings normally have lots of grip and are not usually inclined to give trouble while mounting tires. Caution and close observation are always advised.
The "widow maker" rim, in my mind is the type which comes apart almost in the center. The interlocking area of the two parts is difficult to see and judge for proper engagement.
I would buy a nice truck for the right price with either type of wheel. In my area it is not difficult to find good wheels of the safer types for replacement.

Mike

I agree with Mike. I wouldn't let rims shoot down a good deal, on a good truck. You might regret not buying it later. Might not even have the dangerous Firestone (widowmaker) rims in question.

Those are the same rims i'm thinking of when I think widowmaker... that split nearly in the center. I did some poking around and wasn't able to find much of anything in replacement rims that wouldn't require shipping them in.

Its a nice truck but not a smoking deal yet... I think the seller is getting a dose of reality for what an old 1 1/2 farm truck that will do 50mph goes for... and its not the many thousands he was asking a few months ago. I think its best to play the waiting game on this one. Its not totally out of the realm of aquisition but I think $2000 would be my top end.