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Dec 1, 2015 | 08:26 AM

michael a

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Tires

I am starting to get serious on my 42 half ton. It will be stock as far as the steering and drive train goes. It currently has 15 inch steel wheels on it and I wanted to use them again. My question is how well do these old girls handle with stock components and radial tires?

Dec 1, 2015 | 09:27 AM

tacomacream

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 1,412

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From: East Wenatchee

Welcome to the '47 and older Forum! There are a lot of opinions on the tire subject. Here is an article on the subject:
https://www.google.com/search?q=radi...utf-8&oe=utf-8

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/84.cfm

We always like to see pics. Do you have any to share?

Dec 1, 2015 | 08:49 PM

GB SISSON

Lead Driver

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 6,104

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From: Orcas Island Wa.

I've switched to radials on a few old trucks over the years and mostly they are harder to steer when not in motion. Seems worse with the tonners than with a half ton. I didn't read the link yet, so I'm sure there is way more to it than that. And yes, a picture would be cool!

Dec 1, 2015 | 09:51 PM

tacomacream

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2007

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From: East Wenatchee

When I learned to drive I was taught to set the truck in motion before trying to turn the wheels. My dad said "watch these guys tugging on the steering wheel not having enough sense to roll the wheels first."

Dec 2, 2015 | 11:36 AM

willowbilly3

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From: Black Hills of SD

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomacream

Haha, I was just trying to tell some youngster about that over on the 67-72. He just couldn't understand why that would be true. You and I learned from the same school. And yes, radials do turn harder at very low speed or stopped.
Keep that front suspension and steering greased good makes a lot of difference too.

Dec 2, 2015 | 03:15 PM

Jafo56

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Joined: Sep 2014

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From: Lancaster county, PA

I have a 51 and a 56 both stock front ends,with radial tires both are fine but as the guys stated very hard to steer when stopped

Dec 2, 2015 | 04:55 PM

willowbilly3

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 8,209

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From: Black Hills of SD

I guess if I was doing a restoration I would want original tires but I remember when those old rag tires were all we had, thump for 20 miles on a cold morning before they got round again and you were lucky to get 12,000-15,000 miles out of a set before they were slick. But still about the same amount of years we get on a set of 50,000 mile radials because we didn't drive as much.