I am getting ready to purchase new tires to complete the restoration of my 1965 F100 Styleside Pickup 2WD. I've got the stock 15" wheels. I want something that is more truck tire than car tire. I know that the stock tires were PLY tires so I don't want to use radials (since they were not available in 1965-66).

Coker and Miller have some 7.00-15 and 7.75-15 that look pretty aggressive, but I was wondering if anyone else had some ideas.

I can go to a military tire, but that's too aggressive.

Also, what color should the wheels be. White or body color?

Thanks.

 

I'm wondering about you not using radials. If you were doing a true reso, ok, but I see the disc brakes (for safety), why defeat some of the safety gains by putting on ply tires?

BTW, I like you color scheme.... not original, I think, but good looking.

 

Well, you are right about the disc upgrade for safety not being original, but I guess I also don't like the way the radials that are available look. I like that old bias ply look.

Yeap, the Navajo Beige and Whimbledon White is original and even says so on the Vin Plate and original owners book.

 

Nice looking truck. Your wheels are not stock for a 1965 truck. If they were, you wouldn't be able to mount them without interference with your new disc brakes. Stock '65 (and '66) wheels were not designed to fit disc brakes because they weren't available yet on the F100. So your later model wheels will have solved that problem (don't forget the spare!). There isn't a large market for bias ply tires anymore. Since that's what you want, your choice of vendors will be limited and prices high. Besides the two you named, you might try a tire dealer who sells trailer tires. If memory serves me (and it frequently doesn't!) the last trailer tires I bought in November, 2010, were bias ply. Good luck with your search.

 

That is a nice looking truck. I have a Plain Jayne 66 with a 352 in it that was solid wimbledon white when it was new. Hopefully get it back to that color some day. The two classic colors, Black and white, can't go wrong.
I always used 235/75/15s on any 1/2 ton truck like these. that size which is somewhere in the 29.5 inch tall range is where you pretty much want to be
29-30.5" they are getting more rare by the minute.
You really must consider the use of the truck too. Just for looks, or traction...
White wheels and black tires look the best on an oldie I think, unless you like to polish a lot.
I had a 1982 truck that I bought new. I won't mention the Manufacturer but it was a luv truck. Dam thing wasn't even made in America but I got talked into it by let's say wife #A.
Small light thing but it came with bias ply tires and I bought a set of nice aggressive radial snow tires for the back the first winter, and that setup would go places that I could not believe. Mud and snow. in and out of a few ditches...
Bias plys have been outdated for many reasons, they're stiff and decrease shock taken up like radials, when they are worn, you think you need to replace your entire front end but it's just the tires and like anything that is manufactured, they are always changing.
Two different trucks that I had with Bias on front and radials on back could ram thru any snowdrift it seemed. I could feel the rear end sort of sway from the tires but the front kept straight and I liked the feel then.
It all comes down to how much you can afford in the tire world, but you can do a lot of homework online looking at reviews, particularly if tire noise is an issue.
Good luck
T.

 

 

fair enough, do it the way you want... all good!!!!

 

As for the wheels I have been trying to decide between white or black. However, every manufacturer photo I have ever seen of a 1965 truck, circa 1965, shows a black rim. So I'll be going black.

 

Toby, Very good post. Thank you. I like the bias mainly for the look of them (more period correct). The tire I am looking at is a 30" tire. I'm only using this truck on a ranch in Idaho so it will get very little use.

Tbm3, after quite a bit of research, I have learned that the stock wheels where either white or black (more white then black) and occasionally where painted body color. A few individuals on this Forum have stated that they found an unused spare under the bed that was painted the body color. It is possible that the spare was painted after the truck was delivered, but I don't think guys would do that on a work truck (but you never know).

I did the disc brake conversion on the front and the rear. The stock 15" wheels fit ok on the front. The rear rub just a hair, so I am probably just going to grind down the edge of the caliper 1/4", then prime and paint the part that was ground down. It's cast iron.

 

I found some 16" Innie wheels and put some 215 85 16 tires on them that are easy to find because they use them for duels. they are stiff and narrow like the bias ply tires I know the innie rims won't work but the tires should

 

If someone knows of a set of five (5) 16" outies, I'm in the market.

Thanks.

 

i put some classic S/S cragars on the truck, its lookin mean, you should look into that.

 

I'm trying to stay with a stock look, but good thought on the cragars.

 

I went with the Hercules Terra Tracs in 265/70/15, but, I like the wider look and they are a great tire for all around!

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Pickupmanx2's Album: 1966 F100 "Shrek"