Wheel Size
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From: Ohio
Wheel Size
I have a 1953 Ford F-100 Panel Truck. It has a Mustang 8" rear end and a Mustang II front end with power steering. I am getting ready to purchase new wheels. I want to use 15" wheels and was wondering what was the best width to use (7", 8" ?). I'm thinking of using steel smoothies.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Ventura County, CA
Wheel Size
Twobike,
Welcome to FTE! Regarding your wheel question, I can offer you this:
I have a '59 F100 with stock front suspension. I have chrome smoothie rims (15 X 8's) on all 4 corners. The hub on the left front (driver's side) just cracked last week on me. I have 255/70 X 15" tires on all 4's. It was suggested by my rod shop guy that the offset outwards was too much for the hub given the weight of the front end and tire size/offset. Result: hub eventually cracked. Bummer.
Now, you said that you have a MII front suspension. It "may" handle the 15 X 8's just fine, but I wouldn't push it. I would suggest a 15 X 7 that is not offset outward too much. The MII is not exactly engineered for truck applications and its load capacity is about maxed-out when installed under a truck. That's not new news, I realize, but word to the wise: overloading a MII front suspension is never a good idea (though it IS entertaining to watch the front tires "splat" outward under the sheer weight like VW baja bug rear tires used to do!). Anyway...
Regarding tire size and profile... hmmm? Again, all I can offer (since you already know what I presently am running) is this: I intend to go to a shallower offset rim and a narrower tire up front. I will likely keep the 255/70 X 15's in the back, but with my new Dakota IFS going in first of May, I have a suspicion that something in the order of a 225 or 235/70 X 15 will be in order... even if I have to replace all four wheels to match.
Don't know how much this helps your canundrum, but hopefully it sheds some light on "things to consider"...
Daryl
Welcome to FTE! Regarding your wheel question, I can offer you this:
I have a '59 F100 with stock front suspension. I have chrome smoothie rims (15 X 8's) on all 4 corners. The hub on the left front (driver's side) just cracked last week on me. I have 255/70 X 15" tires on all 4's. It was suggested by my rod shop guy that the offset outwards was too much for the hub given the weight of the front end and tire size/offset. Result: hub eventually cracked. Bummer.
Now, you said that you have a MII front suspension. It "may" handle the 15 X 8's just fine, but I wouldn't push it. I would suggest a 15 X 7 that is not offset outward too much. The MII is not exactly engineered for truck applications and its load capacity is about maxed-out when installed under a truck. That's not new news, I realize, but word to the wise: overloading a MII front suspension is never a good idea (though it IS entertaining to watch the front tires "splat" outward under the sheer weight like VW baja bug rear tires used to do!). Anyway...
Regarding tire size and profile... hmmm? Again, all I can offer (since you already know what I presently am running) is this: I intend to go to a shallower offset rim and a narrower tire up front. I will likely keep the 255/70 X 15's in the back, but with my new Dakota IFS going in first of May, I have a suspicion that something in the order of a 225 or 235/70 X 15 will be in order... even if I have to replace all four wheels to match.
Don't know how much this helps your canundrum, but hopefully it sheds some light on "things to consider"...
Daryl
Last edited by DS59F100; Apr 10, 2003 at 09:45 PM.
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