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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 09:02 AM
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Tire advice

I have finally sourced a set of 16 inch one piece rims to replace the 17 inch widow makers on my 49 F3. Now it is tire time.

I want a tire that is close to the original rolling diameter of the 7.50 x 17s on the truck, 8.25 x 16 seem to fit the bill but I want wide white walls. Does anyone know of a manufacturer for these or have any other advice? I've had no luck luck in Australia. I am willing to import from the states if I have to.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 09:27 AM
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Universal Tire sells one. Here's the link.

https://www.universaltire.com/catalo...re_size=825-16
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 09:34 AM
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Thanks Stu. Would this be suitable for the size and weight of the F3 or should I be going to a different size? A 7.50 x 16 for example?
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 10:11 AM
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According to the listing, the tire was designed for a Packard. Probably as heavy, or heavier, than your F-3. The 32.88" outside diameter is only slightly over an inch shorter than your stock 7.50 x 17" which is 34". The listing for the Universal tire doesn't say what its section width is, but one of my old Tire and Rim Association (TRA) annual tech books shows that an 8.25" x 16" tire has a section width of 9.50" while a 7.50 x 17" has a section width of 8.45". So worst case you might have some rubbing on the extremes of your turning radius. As said this isn't a tire designed for a truck, but your wide white criteria would be a none starter in a true truck tire which wouldn't have had white walls. The listing says the tire will work on a rim between 5.5" and 6.5" which works well for you because your stock F-2 wheels are 6" wide. All in all, seems it fits your criteria and is about as close as you'll find in a 16" tire. Stu
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 10:16 AM
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Not available until January 2013
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by aussiecowboy
Not available until January 2013
Get your order placed and be first in line. You've been dancing with this a long time, so a few more months will go fast. Stu
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 10:32 AM
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True, but I have a man in the US at the moment who can bring them home in a container. After he leaves shipping will probably make the price prohibitive.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 10:51 AM
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Ouch. As with all things, Murphy's Law applies. If it can go wrong, it will. You might call Universal and see if there's any way they'll be available sooner, or go right to Coker since Universal is in the Coke Tire family. Then there's going right to Lester, unless the tires are actually being produced for Coker/Universal. Time for some detective work. Stu
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 03:42 PM
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Can't believe I'm suggesting this... but

White Wall Tire Paint for Diagonal (Cross-Ply) Tires © www.mbzponton.org
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 03:56 PM
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Yeah, so what does that do to your tire choice? Stu
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 03:59 PM
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That would allow me to buy black walls locally and cheaply. Still, might make the truck look kinda cheap though.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 04:02 PM
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I think that it's worth a shot.

I may buy the paint and try on my already WWW tires to see if I can freshen them up a bit.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 04:05 PM
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Are the white walls essential? Stu
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 04:28 PM
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Essential... no. When I was planning to put a flat bed on it I wasn't going to bother. Now that I am getting a step side bed, and with the meadow green paint I think they would really make the truck.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 04:33 PM
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You may find that the F2/F3 trucks do not look good with WWW tires. I haven't seen too many (if any at all) restored F2/F3 trucks with WWW.
 
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