Hi guys , long time watcher , first time posting. I'm in the process of building a 56 deluxe custom cab and just about to start installing the IFS and parallel 4 link rear. My question is , what is the best diameter tire to run to fill up the guards. I have been pushed towards 28 or 29 inch. I will be running 15" smoothies. Recommendations for tires have been Coker classics H78-15 @ 28.3" or L78-15 @29.3. This truck will be on airbags and running boards will be about 4-5 inches above the ground while driving. Any advice would be appreciated. Mark.

 

 

Here's a thread to look through to get an idea on different tire sizes.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...and-tires.html

 

Thanks but I think i'm scared of heights so I need to drop it down a fair bit.

 

Cheers mate, that link is just what I needed. Thanks.

 

Need more info... Are you going to be on the freeway? What engine and trans are you using? What rear axle gears are you running? What is your idea RPM @ 35, 45, 55, 65, and 75 mph?

 

Hi Moe , A lot of driving will be on the freeway. It will run a 400hp 347 and a AOD. The diff is a 9 inch with 3.7 gears and . Hoping for around 2500rpm or less @ 100kmh (62MPH). Cheers. Mark.

 

My 2 cents.....with all that horsepower and what you have in that suspension running a wider tire/wheel on a bigger wheel will give you a better balance. You will have a lot of sidewall and the accompanying flex with 29” or 28” inch tire on a 15” wheel. The wheel wells on these trucks are huge and you could go up to 18” or 19” with 9” - 10” wide smoothies no problem and it would not look like too much wheel and probably still look pretty close to “stock”. Running a 245 up front and a 275 in the rear would give you a good solid footprint for handling and braking. You could probably go 275s all around no problem.

just one man’s perspective!

 

With the 28.3" tire you'll be turning @ 1,907 RPM and the 29.3" tires. you will be turning at @ 1,841 RPM. Both would work, just where do you want to be

 

Thanks for the advice 8pack but im looking for those 3 or 4 inch whitewalls that I wouldn't get in a big diameter wheel. We are very limited for tire choice in Australia and importing something would cost too much. Cheers.

 

You know what Moe , I would be happy with either of those figures. I just need to fill those monster gaps in the fenders.

 

Hey Brooks,
We are running 400HP with an AOD & 3.73 gears from an Explorer 8.8. Sounds pretty similar to your plans.
We've got 28000 miles on our truck - you'll be very happy with your highway cruising. All day long at 65 to 70MPH.
Be careful on your front tire width - we are running smaller up front due to rubbing. You will also want to handle your AOD with care...
very easy to blow them up if you don't get the pressure just right. We upgraded the internals on our AOD for the HP....
Wider 2 inch overdrive band made from Kevlar, upgraded clutches, etc.

Good luck over there - sounds like fun.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Hi Ben , not going with wide tires 235 at most. As for the AOD , I have heard a lot of scary comments on the TV pressure and getting it set spot on. Good thing is I know of a guru on AOD trans. So I will be putting the old girl on a trailer and taking it to him to upgrade and set up. Happy days. Mark.

 

Just finished mine, somewhat similar to yours. Check it here, if you want.

I used Coker 15" wheels, but I wanted to fill the fenders both in height and width.

 

Beautiful truck! What size tires did you put on the 15s