Looking through the Ford info I have, the 1959 F250 4x4 I have should have been originally equipped with 8 x 19.5 tires and wheels. With the 4.56 : 1 ratio axles, this tire was a good match at about 609 rev/mile.
With the 7.50 x 16 tires on it now, 650 rev per mile, the overall drive ratio is a bit shorter. Since finding the original size rims (8 lug) is not likely, and finding tires to fie even more unlikely, what are some good wheel and tire options close to the original size? There are some 9.00 x 16 tires available, but mostly with military style ND tread, but these would not look right.

I would like to have an original type of look, with traction tread tires. Looking for ideas.

 

First of all, I don't have a '59 Chassis Manual so Bill or one of the '57-60 specialists might want to comment on what I'll say. But from my wheel listings I see that your truck could have been fitted with Budd #71410 which is the tubeless 19.5" x 5.25" you wish you had, Budd #73240 which is a tubeless 17.5" x 5.25" that we've discussed here several times recently, or Kelsey Hayes #43552 which is a one piece 16" x 6" tube type. There were also other 16" and 17" lock ring and widowmaker multi-part styles listed that I'll not worry about going into. The Ford number for the 19.5" is B6D-1015B, for the 17.5" is B-1015A, and for the 16" is 7RD-1015B. Why the stupid face I can't say. That is supposed to say B 8 D - 1015 A.

I agree you're unlikely to find a set of the 19.5s without doing a good bit of searching. The 17.5s, though, might not be too hard to find. Our member CarlH found a set for his F-3 not long ago that another member was selling. Also, Bill listed a yard in California that he thought might be a good source to check into. I'll see if I can find the thread with the contact info and do an edit. Here's the old thread - https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...9-ford-f3.html.

As for your current 16s, assuming they are 6" wide, check the below Universal Tire on-line listing for the USA made STA Superlug 9 x 16. It measures 36.3" outside diameter which is taller than the 7.50 x 17s that I'll be mounting on my truck. They are only 34.5". Then compare that to the 8 x 17.5 Super Traxion mud and snow tire that is 31.4" outside diameter. Seems that the 16" is a good option if tall is what you are after. The only concern would be the 9" tire fitting in your wheel wells on the extremes of your turning radius.

Here's the Universal site - Truck - Truck and Military

Also, there are two speed and gearing calculators that I've seen. One is Julie's that's been listed before. The other I stumbled on a few weeks ago. Here both are.

Gear Ratio Calculator
Novak Conversions - Gearing & Gearing Math for Jeeps

 

Thank you for the info. I kind of like to get the look of things pretty close to original, and knowing that the original 19.5 rims are scarce, I am looking for a tire and rim combo that will give me a traction type tread with about the same diameter and width as the 8 x 19.5s. So far it looks like the 7.50 x 16 is the closest with reasonable ease. I looked into the 17.5s, but the diameter is not much different than the 7.50 x 16s. Although the 9.00 x 16 is available, and the diameter is good, the more I look at them, they are just a bit too wide for the look I want. Speedometer correction for different tire diameters is doable, so it really is not an issue, just another item on the to do list.

 

When you type 8 & D together, unless you disable the smilies in the text, you get that damn face.

After you type a post that contains 8D, scroll down on the page below Submit Reply/Preview Post / Click on the box that says: Disable smilies in text.

Then you can type 8D 8D 8D all you want. As you can see, I did just that, and...the face that was in your post...has now gone bye bye. :-)

If you forget, you can edit it out by Go Advanced.

Southern California Truck Wrecking / 8229 S. Alameda St. LA 90001 / 323-587-3144 / Speak with Marty (he's the owner) only, the other employees don't know diddly.

 

Good to know Bill. Thanks. Stu

 

My friend recommended 235 85 R 16 size tires and they are a good fit on a 16 inch rim. They are a pretty good stock height and width. They stand mounted less than 31 inches high. The brand I used were Cooper Discover tires and have been happy with the handeling and ease of steering with the front axle.