Remember in the good ol' days how bias-ply tires would settle overnight and give you that thump, thump, thump, etc until they warmed up??

 

Mine sat in the same place all winter with no flat spots...

I am tellin ya folks bias tires are not what they used to be. At the same time on a full fendered vehicle unless you get right on top of it you often cant tell if they are bias or radial. At the same time, I won't be buying radial tires for anything I drive older than '64.

 

I'm not arguing, just reminiscing... I recently put 6 new bias-ply tires on my 50 F4 project truck. 8.25-20's and they look great.

My 48 F1 runs radials, but they're Avon LT215/85/16R's in 8 ply rating so they stand up like the old bias-ply tires.

 

For sure man!!!

I battled about what tires to get for my truck when that time came around. I went to the HAMB and talked with a few local~ish clubs that actually have and drive finished hot rods and customs that almost all exclusively roll bias tires to get an idea as to how they feel because I too thought they were replaced for safety reasons.

I dont dog on anyone for putting something on that they want. Its not my truck, not my build, not my decision. At the same time, knowing all the updates to bias tires helps make an informed decision.

 

Not sure about the tires yet... that's still up in the air. Got brakes and lights to do first. Tires are last on the list. Lol.

And as for the Caddy caps...those came off, got some small Ford ones on it now, gonna take some good photos of it with my camera when it's on the road and all cleaned up so get ready! I already know where I'm taking it for the pics too!

It's gonna be vinyl for sure. Maybe magnets, not sure. Mostly likely just vinyl, but either way I'm not painting on it. The paint is old but it's still fairly good...

 

Good idea about the sticker! Would the sticker be removable? I would not go with a magnet as it will leave small scratches on your paint. We uwed to have those red white and blue ribbons for the troops and a soccer ball on the back of our minivan and they actually were hard to get off and messed up the paint underneath.

Whitie, great truck!

About radial versus bias ply: I went with radials for my '54 on original rims. they made for a smoother ride but because of the amount of rubber on the road they made it harder to steer. I have had them for about 12 years now and the tread is wearing down, esp on teh front since I had them over inflated to make it easier to steer.....

I think I will get bias plies, in the original size this year or next...

 

Not to belabor the tire discussion but my 2 cents :
My F1 runs 6.50-16 Coker Classics; they are www radials with tubes. I have had this truck since 1975 and have run many different types, sizes etc. These are by far the best.
Re: the power steering issue, I agree with whoever said that there is no problem with stock if you do the king-pins, etc.
My F3 has 2 year old bias 7.50-17 LT 10 ply 'AKURET' tubless, and yes they "thump" until they warm up..the back are 7.50-17 "Tormel" 10 ply.

 

Wow thats a nice truck !!!! Good luck and enjoy it.