So

What tires size and brand (other than 15") was the 56 F100 truck eguipped with from the factory?

Thanks in advance

 

I dont have my books in front of me, but, the stock tire size was 6.70x15 with an optional 7.10x15
I think you could get a 6.50x16 also. Like I said I dont have the books here to verify

 

According to the shop manual, you might find:
6.00x16 4 pr,
6.00x16 6 pr,
6.50x16 6 pr
6.70x15 4 pr,
6.70x15 6 pr,
7.10x15 4 pr
7.10x15 6 pr

These are shown to be passenger car type tires, all on drop center rims.

Ford and Firestone still had a very close long time business relationship at that time. In addition, there had been a recent, late 1940s, marriage between the two families. Good chance the tires were Firestone.

 

Kevin - the chassis catalog lists 6.50" six ply, 6.50" eight ply, and 7.10" eight ply. James Wagner agrees with you. He says ".....the new 15" x 5" wheels with 6.70" x 15" four ply. As a result of this shift in tire usage, the formerly standard 6.00 x 16" four ply was added to the option list together with the six ply 6.70 x 15" and 7.10 x 15" sizes." This is quoted from Ford Trucks Since 1905 by James K. Wagner. I strongly recommend this book to jimcar-9. Stu

Edit - there you go, Ray has the best reference. Stu

 

Not a 56 but a 55, but I have old 6.50x16 4p bias on my 55 that was a telephone company truck and not purchased from a dealer showroom originally. Same for older spare that was with the truck.

Bruce

 

not to hijack this thread but I have (2) 16" of my 56 hate to see them go to the recycle bin if anyone could use them.

craig

 

cokeb5 sent you a message

 

Thanks guys!

I will look into that book, see where I could find it.

The only ones I can find today is the 6.7 and 7.1 4 ply, So I guess I will shoot for the 7.1.

Ok guys, what about bias ply feeling?

I have heard ups and mostly downs compared to radials.

But with a completely refurbished. Chassis? Can it be that bad?

I am not looking for a racer, just a safe daily driver for the summer spring, fall period.

 

Let the arguments commence! Bias or radial? I like bias ply. That's what the truck was engineered for, they provide much easier steering input at rest and low speed, and they impose less strain on the old rims from the lateral loads inherent with the radial tire construction. Stu

 

Jimmy,
I have the 6.70x15 on my red 56 and my 56 panel. I LOVE the way they drive. I will say that on certain road surfaces they can be a handfull to drive, but isnt that what its all about?


I have seen 56's with the 7.10x15 and I personally did not like the look, it may have been the tire brand too. I'm running the Firestones

 

I learned to drive with bias and drove with them for years. When radials became available, I switched and only went back when I was doing a correct "restoration". If I am going to drive the vehicle, no way would I use bias.

 

But WHY?
I have put several thousands of miles on my new bias tires. They wear like iron, get great fuel mileage, steer easy. Really my rigs drive like a new truck, except on a road that has heavy grooves. I drove the panel twice to PF (1100 mile trips each) and we were running 70-75 mph all the way. The second trip, the back end of the panel was full to the roof with parts and we still got 17.5 mpg


I would NEVER drive a 56 with radials again

 

I will most probably go with bias for the cheer look of it.

Kevin

What about close up photos of the 6.7? I was leaning towards the 7.1. For the load capacity. But what difference are there between these.
What Firestone supplier did you all use? Coker or someone else?

 

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When I fixed up my 54 and had it painted in 1999 I put radials on it. It took bumps real nice. It went over railroad tracks as good as our mini van. But as mentioned above, at slow speeds, parking, backing, etc it steered incredibly hard..... too much rubber on the road. I kept the fronts over inflated to make steering a bit easier.

Two years ago I needed new tires in the front to pass inspection. I got 6.00 x 16 6-ply bias tires. Steering was very easy. Last week I got the same bias ply on the rear. The ride is a bit less smooth but the steering and the looks outweigh that.