Tire help needed
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
Tire help needed
I am ready to buy new tires for my 51 F2. It has the original 239 flathead and the original 4 speed(with what I cal the house puller 1st gear). I will be installing a 1970 F250 dana 3.73 rear axle assy with the original 51 16" wheels. I have read numerous threads about tire size calculators, speed, rpm and conversion charts. Should I go with newer radial tires or to the bias ply tires? I hear the radials are harder to steer and I do not have "gorilla arms" or power steering. I plan to be able to cruise about 60-65 mph. How many rpms are these flatties made to cruise at? I know I will get varying comments but all are welcome. This forum is the best. Thanks!!!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,192
Likes: 4,801
From: Burbank, WA
Whether you choose radials or bias ply's is a personal choice, depending on what importance you place on looks vs. drivability. Radials will ride, drive and handle far superior to bias ply's. Some people have mentioned that being able to turn the wheel at low speeds or when standing still is easier with bias, but personally, I would get over that for the better ride and driving that radials give. A 7.50x16 would have been a stock size bias ply for your truck. Conversely, a 215/85R16 radial would be right at home on your stock 16x6" wheels, and not be so wide as to be hard to turn. With your gear and the radial tire mentioned, you should be turning around 2500 at 60-65, which is just about right for the flattie.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
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From: Moyie, BC Canada
The grille appears to be from the 1974 to 1979 models...the most unpopular versions of the Mustang.
Sorry,...this went to the wrong place.
There is no way to get rid of posts that go errant that I know of on here!
Sorry,...this went to the wrong place.
There is no way to get rid of posts that go errant that I know of on here!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: victoria
with the 16 inch wheels you will have lots to chose from ,try the 3.73 and see what it feels like ..are you in the flat lands or the hills??gonna work her or play ..enjoy your toy ..after all your building it for you ..no one else..if you were smart enough to figger out gears an' tire size an...RPM limits ..you wouldn't be playing with this old ...stuff..have fun an pictures ...post lot'sa pictures...an I am going from bias to radials ..more choice ..better ride ..cheeper ..when you get used ..good luck ..have I said pictures..
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 85
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Radials it will be. Bought truck in late 07, run and driver. Not a show truck but mostly original, except 12v, and interior which I have original type replacement to put in. when i can figure out how to post pics from a MacBookPro i will. THANKS for the advice.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
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From: Austin
Hey Dan,
If you do figure out how to post pics - I'd love to see pics of the interior as it is & what you want to do. I'm doing my interior next & I'm taking in ideas.
Ben in Austin
(If you edit your profile to put in your location it helps sometimes to know other forum members who live close to you).
If you do figure out how to post pics - I'd love to see pics of the interior as it is & what you want to do. I'm doing my interior next & I'm taking in ideas.
Ben in Austin
(If you edit your profile to put in your location it helps sometimes to know other forum members who live close to you).
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 85
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Ben, just created a gallery with a few pics of my truck. the interior has been all replaced at some point with cloth. i am taking it all out as i bought all new original interior trim, even the rubber floor mat to replace the carpet. i will be redoing this truck a little at a time and keep as close to original as possible. i will post more pics as i go when i learn more about how to post them. may be a while, recovering from spine surgery.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hey Dan,
I like it - Your black 51 looks very familiar - I like that your's is more stock. That's a unique back bumper - I like your bench as well. My '50 had been hotrodded in the 70's so I had to pull out a lot of "improvements" in the interior - **** carpet, house siding under the floor, Bucket seats, etc. I'm just now trying to figure out what to put back in there.
I have a bench seat from a Chevy S10 that fits nicely - that's about it so far. Some guys talked me out of rubber matting for the floor - said it keeps in moisture - who knows. Thx for the pics. My brother has had multiple spine surgeries - long slow rehab time - hang in there.
Ben in Austin
I like it - Your black 51 looks very familiar - I like that your's is more stock. That's a unique back bumper - I like your bench as well. My '50 had been hotrodded in the 70's so I had to pull out a lot of "improvements" in the interior - **** carpet, house siding under the floor, Bucket seats, etc. I'm just now trying to figure out what to put back in there.
I have a bench seat from a Chevy S10 that fits nicely - that's about it so far. Some guys talked me out of rubber matting for the floor - said it keeps in moisture - who knows. Thx for the pics. My brother has had multiple spine surgeries - long slow rehab time - hang in there.
Ben in Austin
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2010
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Ben, thanks. I have seen this rear bumper before. I have ben told these were used out west by forest rangers and the sort. my truck was built in Dallas, Tx and i believe was there until 2004 when a guy from In. bought it. These bumpers helped save on rear damages.
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