Tires: Size conversion, coker tire, 4x4 pickup

Question
Barry,

I am restoring a 1958 Studebaker 4X4 pickup.  The truck came with 6.50 X 16 tires.  The rims are 16 X 4.5 inches wide.  What size of "metric" tire would be comperable to this?  Would a LT215/85R16 be appropriate, or do I need to find something narrower?  A tire shop in town said that I could run a 225, but that seems to wide.

Thanks for your assistance.  I've looked all over the web, and have not been able to find any info.

Thanks for any insights you may have,

Rob Young

Answer
Rob,

Unfortuantely, time (and technology) has moved on.  There isn't anything that exactly fits.  2 suggestions:

1)  Coker tire has tires in that size.  I don't know if they are appropriate for you (load carrying capacity, in particular)  This probably would preserve the authenticity.

2)  Find a wider wheel (or have one modified).  LT225/75R16's are close in diameter, but require a 6" minimum wheel.  Ot an LT215/85R16, which is slightly larger in diameter, but only needs a 5 1/2" wheel.

Hope this helps.