72 F100

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Jul 10, 2015 | 01:00 PM

#16

HIO Silver

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 20,678

Likes: 82

From: NorCal

That's okay... you still own it, right? No problem!

Tires/wheels.... For rears I run Wheel Vintiques Series 62 steel 15x8 (w/ 4-inch BS) wearing 275/60-15s. It has about another inch of clearance inboard and outboard. I figure 15x9s are the widest wheel to comfortably run but I don't think anyone makes that size unless it is custom. Fronts are 15x7 wearing 225/70-15s. A comparable option and wider footprint would be 235/60-15s but it'll have a shorter sidewall (and thus shorter overall height).

My 70 has a 3/5.25 drop using DJM beams and a Fatman Fab axle flip. Visit my build thread for pics.

Jul 10, 2015 | 08:04 PM

#17

Agent 86

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 17

Likes: 0

From: Tucson

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIO Silver

Visit my build thread for pics.

You are far too modest, I would bet most folks on this board have seen your build thread and treat it like a holy text.

Thanks for the info. I think I will go for 8 inches wide, now just have to decide on 15 or 16 inch and style. Lol, no biggie.

Jul 12, 2015 | 04:42 PM

#18

Agent 86

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Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 17

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From: Tucson

Just had a thought. The truck has no power steering and I don't know that I have plans to change that. Any thoughts on the difference in effort between the 7 and 8 inch wheels?

Jul 12, 2015 | 05:16 PM

#19

ultraranger

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 6,399

Likes: 40

From: El Dorado, Arkansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent 86

Just had a thought. The truck has no power steering and I don't know that I have plans to change that. Any thoughts on the difference in effort between the 7 and 8 inch wheels?

Once the vehicle is moving, the turning effort isn't too bad. From a standing stop or, a near standing stop though, the effort is pretty high.

Wider wheels/tires means more tread area in contact with the pavement. This means even more resistence at the wheels and more effort required to turn the steering wheel.

My truck had the stock, skinny steelies and narrow tires with manual steering. Steering effort was fairly high with this configuration. I installed wider tires/wheels, still with manual steering, and the effort noticeably increased.

I finally changed to power steering, along with front disc brakes. Steering is very easy now.

Jul 12, 2015 | 10:41 PM

#20

orich

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,592

Likes: 10

From: **** hole San Jose ca.

I still have manual steering, still not a big deal for me being 72 and been driving it since 1978 with 11.5 x 33 tires. But parking is a little hard when other vehicle don't leave ya much room to back in between them. The past 10 yrs much easier not having the c/o camper on it any more.. Plus manual steering saves me money as I don't need to join a GYM
Orich

Jul 12, 2015 | 11:11 PM

#21

351Cleveland C4

Lead Driver

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 8,679

Likes: 191

From: On the Edge of the Desert

72 F100

I would highly recommend a 16x7 wheel with a 235/75R16 tire, or something close to that.

If I was gonna buy new wheels that's what I'd do.

Aug 23, 2015 | 10:29 PM

#22

Agent 86

Thread Starter

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Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 17

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From: Tucson

Forward progress:

Before

before

After:

The next step is to tow it town to Tucson from Globe over Labor day weekend. Then the real work begins.

Aug 23, 2015 | 11:21 PM

#23

Cracker289

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,730

Likes: 20

From: Four Oaks, NC

Looks great with those wheels, so very cool that you're able to keep the vehicle that you came home from the hospital in "in the family" and back on the road (soon I imagine).