All - I'm having a heck of a time finding tires for my 1965 F250 4x2. I tried 235 75 R16 and 235 85 R16 but both look too big for the car (see photo). After researching the site I got these sizes as most recommended them and use them - but maybe that was on the 4x4's. I guess I could do a lift kit here, but I really want to go stock.

And I'd like to get the size a bit fuller (aspect ratio) than the current 225 65 R16's on it (see 2nd photo). I also need to get a truck-rated tire (load range D or E).

Can anyone tell me what the original tires were? Any suggestions on sizes (other than those above) that would do what I need here? Or are we just having to look into a lift kit.

Thanks for the help here!

Mark

 

Bias ply blackwalls:

 

Ok that's helpful - but I want to go radial.

 

Slicks weren't offered with radials when new, as ND's post shows.

I ran Michelin radials on a '68 F-250 in the mid 70's. As I remember they were a 7.50 R-16, 8 ply. They were a relatively tall, narrow tire.

Staying with a LT rated tire is going to limit your options as far as sizes. I think your best bet is to go to your neighborhood tire store and let them know what you are looking for.

Good luck.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

235/70 16 load range xl, 2300 lbs per

 

Like Roger said: 7.50Rx16, tall and skinny, look correct but might not be widely available.
Eric

 

the ones i posted also come in 215/85 16 load range e

 

The rear gear ratio might help you figure out what diameter tire to look for...My 66 F250 has 4.56 gears and 235/85R16's put the speedometer dead on...

I used a GPS and ratio calculator to figure out how off my speedo was and what diameter tire I needed to go with.

 

Thanks all really helpful. I'm curious thinlizzy if you had to lift the truck to fit the 285/85 R16s?

 

Didn't have to lift it at all. Filled out the wheel wells nicely



But I also have the wide opening fenders up front. I'm not sure if they will fit the normal opening fenders...sorry that isn't really helpful for you, but at least you'll know that they fit the back lol.

 

Is yours a 4x4?

 

F250 4x4 sits up quite a bit higher from the factory as you can see by comparing this picture. They also used the older styleside beds with the different opening. Very easy to tell apart from F250 2x4, which is what the above picture is of.





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Yea mine is 2WD

 

For reference here's my '64 F-250 with 7.5 x 16

 

I have not had any clearance problems with 235 85R 16s and they give you a little better gear ratio that a 70 series