I did a search, but could not find if the original wheel size on the 1954 F-100 was 15" or 16"? Or, was it different for the standard and Deluxe Cab models?

Does anyone know?

 

First, my welcome too. Glad to have you hanging around.

Here's the 1954 charts from the Salesman's Handbook showing the wheel/tire options and other specifications for your truck. Stu

 

Just a FYI ORIGINAL rims were tube tires and probably won't accept tubeless tires. If your sticking with original several tire companies can get very close to the originals.

 

You may want to order the 1954 F100 repair and parts manuals. eBay even occasionally has reproduction dealer brochures that have pictures and options. All would be great sources of information and to have when showing off your truck.

 

In 1999 I put radials on all four of my original rims and I had them on until 2011ish. I still have the radials on the rear wheels as I went with bias ply on the front to make steering easier. The radials make for a smoother ride but turning when parking or sitting is a burden with radials with manual steering. The bias ply they make today are a lot better than the older ones. I have not noticed any flat spots on mine.

 

The design of the original rims is the same as the design of the tubeless car and light truck rims. The only reason I see that a tubeless tire wouldn't work on an original rim would be the potential for air leakage around the rivets. But if that happens a sealer like JB Weld would solve that. Stu

 

When radials first came out, one of the biggest warnings the tire manufacturers put out was NEVER mix radials and bias ply tires on the same vehicle. I would assume that hasn't changed, the slip angle of bias ply and radials is totally different. Having driven a lot of vehicles with radials and bias ply tires I don't think the construction is what is affecting the steering effort. I would attribute it to a difference in size, tread design, rubber compound, sidewall flexibility, inflation pressure, and/or the age of the tires.

 

Hi Ax,
In PA it is illegal to have bias and radials on the same axle. I have my old radials on the rear and bias on the front, which is legal.

And believe me the truck steers easier with the bias ply on the front than the radials. There is less rubber on the road and therefore less friction when you turn the wheel.

 

I asked because my truck has 15" wheels. Appearantly these trucks came with 16s.

 

It looks like the 1954 Ford Truck Operator's Manual indicates that both 15" and 16" rims were used for F-100's. Does anyone know how the different sizes were used? Options?