I'm sure this question has been asked a million times, but I havent been able to find any discussion from folks that had actually switch from bias to radials.

The dilemma im trying to figure out is, going with 8.25x20 split ring rims and tires, track down some 5 lug 22.5 rims and go with 9rx22.5 tires. I may try and see if i can go one size larger for the purpose of more mph. But one of the appeals is trying to move to a radial tire. Anyone with feedback thats made the change on ride difference and handling? Then to add to my confusion I just came across some posts where folks put 8.25x20 radial tires on split ring rims. I didn't even know that was an option. I'm fairly certain with all the truck and farm tire shops in the area that mounting isnt going to be an issue. I'm sure I'll never wear the tires out, they will dry rot before the treads gone. Seems like tires prices either way are about the same.

opinions???

Thanks in advance.

 

I have a few of the big Fords. On my 52 F6, I replaced my RH5° rims with same era lock ring type rims, and kept the 7.50x20 and 8.25x20 tires. My 51 F5 came with 9/R-22.5 tires (One of the reasons purchasing it was a no brainier). I scavenged another set of 6 vintage lock ring rims with 7.50x20 and 8.25x20 tires to have as spare parts. My 49 F6 parts truck has a mishmash of RH5° and lock ring rims that I have not really looked at any further.

As far as a recommendations based on my personal experience:

If you are focused on sticking close to stock, definitely go for the traditional Bias Ply on safe lock ring style rims - these are fairly available to those who seek them out. Any commercial (not consumer) tire shop will have no problems servicing the lock ring style rims and Bias Ply tires. If you are bold enough, these you can service your self.

Using the 9/R-22.5 on traditional one piece rims is another option as you indicate. I find that these rims are less available and are not self serviceable as the lock ring rims. Again, any commercial tire shop can service these, but my local shop told me that they generally stock a few 7.50x20 and 8.25x20 tires, but do not warehouse 9/R-22.5. If you go this route, be sure to check the front fender clearances on you specific truck. These big trucks are not taken cross the continent and don't go fast anyways, so the speed difference wasn't really noticeable or appreciable by me.

Bottom line, my super nice stock 52 F6 truck uses Bias Ply tires like a stock Ford would. Since my F5 isn't "pretty", I'm not as concerned with super stock appearance at the moment. The 49 F6, if it comes to life, will have Bias Ply because I already have those.

 

I bought a set of 19.5 RV rims from a seller on here and run 225/70R 12 ply 19.5"s.

 

Were the 9rx22.5 radial tires? I'm curious about the ride difference. These are going on my 42 1.5 ton marmon herrington. The front end sits much higher then stock, so I have a lot of room.

 

I don't immediately recall if they are radial or not. I find that either truck rides like a big old truck.

 

I think the tires would be to short for me. coming up as 32 inches high?

I'd like to stick around 38" if possible.

 

Doesn't the R in 9R22.5 indicate it being a radial tire?

 

 

I hate to said it, but I didn't even think about the R in the tire size LOL Man do i feel dumb.....

I'm trying to keep the truck close to stock as long as it makes sense. Hopefully more folks will chime in that have switched from bias to radial tires.

 

When I got my 54 F100 truck fixed up in 1999 I put radials on it. But it steered very hard especially when parking or backing. About 10 years later I put pie crust bias plies on and love them.

But yours is a bigger truck. When I bought my 55 F350 it needed tires before I could drive it home. I was wary of putting radials on thinking it would steer very hard. Ray Tash, told me radials will do just fine since the better ratio steering box F350s have will make steering easy. And it is. So I say gomwith radials on your bigger truck. Here is a pic of my F350 with the radials. Can you tell they are radials.

 

 

A few things to consider on these old trucks when switching to radials. Most of the old bias ply tires only ran 80 PSI in them, a lot of the newer radials run 100-110 PSI. Will the old rims handle this? Maybe, but unless you are loading the truck to it's max you won't need to run that much pressure.
And speaking of pressure, if you want to run lower pressure to soften the ride I would go with the tube type split rims because the tubeless truck rims don't have the safety bead on them to keep the tire from popping off the bead if you bump a curb.
Another thing to think about, bias tires require some toe-in to drive right, radial tires normally run slight toe-in to none, so a slight adjustment will be needed.
Just a few thoughts from someone who has dealt with many truck tires during a long career as a heavy duty mechanic.

 

 

Thanks for the info guys. Yeah, I don't plan on running high tire pressure. I don't know if their are low pressure limits for holding the lock rings. I was thinking 50 lbs would be plenty. And the rims I have now are pretty crusty, I was planning on getting some that are in better shape.

 

Thanks BMORON4 you helped me clear up a direction to go. I will work with my stock split ring rims and get rid of my widowmakers.
I can acquire split rings easier than one piece rims. My tires are 7.5 x 20" that I can get rid of and try find some good non radial replacements
for these rims. Just need to know if 8.25" s will fit on my rims that have 7.5 on them now??