Hello there! First time poster but long time lurker. I have a 79 f250 that needs new tires. I really like the look of those 9.00x20 military tires (and the price!). I just can't wrap my head around how I would mount them. Do they make 20" rims that will fit these tires in 8 lug? Or some kind of adapter? Truck has 351m, np435 currently sitting on 35x12.50x16.5 ground hawgs.

 

I am not very familiar with 9.00 x 20 tires in a PU application. Do you have a link or pic for the tires you are looking at?

 

Certainly you do not mean this tire? Summit racing has lots of 20" rims and you can get them in a 8 on 6 1/2 lug bolt pattern.

Wheels - 20 in. Wheel Diameter - 8 x 6 1/2 in. Wheel Bolt Pattern - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

 

Yes sir, those are the tires.



I know it's not Ford... But this is what I'm wanting to do.

 

Stricty speaking I can't remember the terms but the tires pictures use a different method of bead seating than regular tires. But on a light truck I'm sure they would mount and seal just fine. There are a ton of aftermarket 20's in 8 lug, it's an extremely common size. There were some factory options too, though not Ford since they switched to metric. Chevies hubs might be too small.

FYI, though, those tires are terrible on and off road and they are rock hard in every way. They do no deflect. They do not grab rocks. They don't stick to wet asphalt. They will vibrate your fillings on road and then fail where even a bfg mud terrain would
pass offroad. Even the military quit using them for everything but trailers, as far as Ive seen, for the last decade or two.

Edit, just saw your pic. I believe those are mickey Thompson challenger wheels, that's what I ran when I had military 20's on 8 lugs, but I was running 14.50r20 Michelin xl's. Also stiff and heavy, but dug like boggers. Almost.

 

14.50 xl's if I remember right.

And on classic 2's, which have bigger holes than classics, I think.



I think these were 12 or 12.50 xl's on USA 6x6 double bead locks. Also 8x6.5


I've sold it all years ago go smaller and better things, before you ask.

 

I understand the negatives... But my bald ground hawgs don't even have traction when parked. And money is tight right now.

 

Well since you already have the 16.5 rims you could just get the other military tires.
I am now running the 37" BFG Baja tires. They are radial and ride nice like a regular on road tire. Or if you want cheaper tires that fit you could get the 36" Goodyears, though they do road wander a lot and flat spot over night.

 

X2 on what he said about already having the 16.5 rims, just locate some cheap 1st gen 36x12.50x16.5 bias ply Goodyear Wangler MT II's, or the 2nd gen 37x12.50x16.5 radial or the 3rd gen 37x12.50x16.5 Baja TA's. They can usually be found on the Craigslist for cheap. https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/wto/5465329666.html And NO the rim will not fit the front axle due to the 7" of back space, it will hit you tie rods ends. Maybe they have some 36 or 37's? https://bloomington.craigslist.org/wtd/5490488753.html


650 I dig that paint scheme.

 

These to statements usually do not go hand in hand. At least they do not for me anyway. lol

 

Oh yeah if money is the issue and you already got the 16.5's there is no question you run the military "37's"
20" rims aren't cheap anyway.

 

77&70F250 that's where I was going to get the 9.00x20s. I guess part of me wanted something different. That's why I was thinking about those. What were you saying about back spacing? What rims won't fit? What kind of lift would I be looking at to clear either of those tires?

 

Those non-directional military tires dig holes it takes a tank retriever to get you out of. If you can get your truck up to 55 with them on it you would have to have 4 lanes to keep it on the road. Tires have come a long way since 1940.

 

The rims and tires I posted that are the 1st Craigslist link. The rim lug pattern is 8 on 6 1/2 and will fit your F250 lug pattern.

But the rim itself is 7" back spaced and will not fit that way, meaning it is to deep set or SET IN to clear your front end steering components.

My red 79 F250 in its mudder stage has a 6" Skyjacker and in this pic has 36" mil takeoffs and 37's would fit just as good.

 

My truck clears the 35s fine with no rubbing and it hasn't been lifted at all... At least I don't think its been lifted. I'm thinking a 2 or 3 inch lift at most. I like the look of big tires being tucked up into the truck. I'm not wheeling it though. The most "off road" would be getting to my tree stand or fishing hole.