Hi, Ive got a 69 F250 Camper Special that I bought about a month ago. When I got it, it had bald 8.75" 16.5" bias tires in the front and like new 9.50" 16.5" radials in the back. I was able to find a pair of used 8.75s for 25 bucks each to replace the bald ones in the front for the meantime. I was wondering what size tire should I use for this truck. I dont plan to put a camper on it, but I might haul some heavy loads in the future. Should I keep the 8.75" front, 9.50" back setup or switch to all one or the other? I've heard that radials will give me better fuel economy, but that many older vehicles are better suited for bias plys. 16.5s dont seem to be hard to find here, at least used ones. I'd much rather stick with the 16.5" rims; I love the hubcaps that came with them, even though I only have two. Any help would be appreciated greatly!

 

I went with 9.5's all the way around on my truck. I felt the slightly wider tires looks so much better on this big truck than the slimmer 8.75's. There is no comparison between bias ply tires and radials...that's why bias tires are extinct or at least nearly extinct.

 

I just put 4 new American Racing rims and 4 new BFGoodrich tires on my 67 F-250. I wouldnt go back to a bias ply for all the gold in Fort Knox. The ride is second to none. I did switch to an 8 bolt 15" rim though...the truck looks incredible.

Ken

PS--Are you looking for more hubcaps???

 

Are those 16.5's split rims? If so, you should replace them. They are dangerous.

In any case, radials are almost always better. They are more durable, get better mileage, handle a lot better, and won't develop flat spots from sitting too long in one place. About the only thing a bias ply tire has in its favor is noise. For some reason, radials tend to generate more road noise. Of course, that might matter on a Lincoln, but it shouldn't be a factor on a truck. Bias ply tires also tend to ride a little softer, but modern radials offer just as comfortable of a ride, and your suspension should be the determining factor, anyway, not the flex of your sidewalls.

 

Your post got my attention. As a new owner (never had a Ford before) I 'm intersted in how I can determine if I have the rims you say are bad. What is the problem with thm? All I know is I have a 69 f250 camper special and the rims (back) are pretty large...how can I check to see if they are the bad split ones you wrote of?

Lonnie
lonallie@cs.com

 

Lonnie--

Split rims are easily detected. If there is a steel ring around the outside of the rim...the side that you can see looking at the truck then ya got one. Also, most all tires on split rims are tube-type tires.

Ken

 

Ford_Forever, is this the hubcap you’re talking about?

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=2890&.jpg

I like them a lot too, the C7TH-1130-R came out in ’67 and lasted quite a few years.

On the tires, go with at least 9.50 radials all the way around. You say your rims are wider in the rear? That’s possible with Camper Specials, can you measure the rim width from bead to bead?

Barry

 

Thanks Ken, no steel rim so I guess I'm safe...I do have some rather large (wide) back rims... oh well..thanks for the info!!

Lonnie

Lonnie Dotson
The Boeing Company
Fabrication Division Production Engineering
Division Representative for 737 and 757
(425) 237-6425 ~ Mail Stop: 9X-50
Member: SPEEA Judicial Review Committee

 

Thanks for the advice fellas. I think I'll hunt down some 9.50 radials for the front when I get the truck cherried up. Yeah, I would like to find some hubcaps for a reasonable price. I haven't been to the junkyard yet to take a look-see. I saw an early '80s pickup with the same hubcaps and I was tempted to offer to buy them off the guy, but I figured that he may be in the same situation as me!