M170- conventional tires on 16" mil-stock rims?

[MODIFIED]

is it possible? I have a 55 M-170 which has the original 16 " rims mounted with 6.50 x 16 tubed and flapped NDT tires, I wish to retain the original rims and put on some A/T or similar all- season brand tires like cooper discovery, etc. I'm curious if I can eliminate the tubes and flaps for this swap ..... I need new tires and the added expense of new rims with new tires would just kill my wallet!! besides , I like the mil rims on there now. I am thinking of slightly larger tires like a 245/75r16. will these work, any suggestions? just stumped on trying to get a clear answer from someone.... thank you for your time.


pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56891549@N00/2757543825/

[wesk]

If you indeed have the correct safety beaded military wheel the 215's are a better fit but I think the wheel will tolerate 245's. If the wheel is a welded one and rust free the tubeless tire will seal up just fine. If the wheel is a riveted wheel and rust free you may get a hint of a slow leak now and then. In either case the tubes and flaps are not needed. The correct original tire size was 7.00x16 so if you get too far away from that diameter you will have issues with the accuracy of the speedometer. Radical departures to even greater installed diameters will effect final drive ratios a great deal.

Rust free is important. If the bead area is severely rusted the tire will leak quite a bit at the bead. The only easy solution to this issue is to sand blast the wheels and get a heavy coat of good primer on them like the sandable stuff and then a good finish coat of enamel.

[MODIFIED]

thanks for your response as usual Wes !!

here is a link to more photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56891549@N00/2757543223/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56891549@N00/2649530117/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56891549@N00/2757543825/