Use tubes for 16" steel wheels or not?

[Arrington]

I just purchased a 1961 land rover 88 station wagon. I think it's a 1961. I need to check. My question is it has original 16" steel wheels that have bias ply tires with tubes and there falling apart. I have found a nice used set of 215 85 16 radials. Do i still have to use tubes on these old rims? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Arrington]

[Arrington]

[Arrington]

Not sure what i am going to do with this rover. Just picked it up and i want to get it a little more mobile. Hopefully will get it running in a week or so. Also is there anyway to use VIN to find out any info on it? 144004452

[disco2hse]

Question 1: I would use tubes. Make certain they are heavy duty tubes. Standard duty tubes will rub and fail.

Question 2:http://www.clifton.nl/index.html?calvin.html.

Type: Land Rover
Model: Land Rover, Series II
Body type: Basic
Wheel base: 88in (Short Wheel Base, SWB)
Engine: Petrol
Destination: Left-hand drive (LHD), export
Model year: 1960

[Arrington]

Can I use the original rims with no tubes?

[disco2hse]

Depends on the wheels you have. There are a range of profiles and some are OK for tubeless tyres and other are not.

There should be a part number stamped on them. I would not assume they are the original wheels and I think the original wheels are not suitable. Something to do with the bead.

If it can be done, the real question is: should you?

[Arrington]

I am pretty dang sure there the original wheels. They look to be a 2 piece wheel and are pop riveted together. Thats the reason i think most of these have tubes in them. But I was not for sure. Just trying to see what everyones views if i could get away with out using the tubes and tires still holding air. I am just wanting tires to stay aired up so it will be a little more mobile, plus just in case i get it running i could drive it a little. Trying not to put a lot of money in it right now since I am currently working on a 1966 88.

[SafeAirOne]

--I don't believe that '61 88s came with 16" wheels.

--Radial tires with inner tubes will require radial-compatible inner tubes or the tubes will fail.

--The wheel centers might be riveted to the outer rims, but they sure aren't pop riveted.

--Different rim part numbers are tube-type rims, others are tubeless-type. Easy to google once you have found the p/n.

--Tube-type rims can often be used with tubeless tires. If they don't leak, then they're fine. My spare is a radial tire on a tube-type 16" rim and it hasn't lost 1psi in the year that it's been there. You never know till you try them.

[Arrington]

pic of one spare, there 6 wheels total