f-3 tires
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f-3 tires
I have just purchased a 51 F-3. It has 17" split rims which I have taken to Stockton Wheel Service to make into one-piece rims. The rear brake drums are 14" so this limits my options. The rims will be 17X7 when finished. My question is about tire size. What size radial will be closest to 7.50-17 existing tires which have an OD of 34"? Seems like radials took care of a lot of tire problems I had back in the 60s with nylon bias tires. Plus modern nylon bias tires seem pretty expensive when I look on the Internet. I know one of you Ford truck guys will know the answer.
Dave49
Dave49
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,378
Likes: 5,387
From: Central PA
Dave welcome to FTE the best Ford truck forum on the World wide Web!
You did good by changing out the Window Makers. Now show us some pics of your truck.
About tires, in 1999 I put radials on my 54 F100. The ride was smooth but they were s bear to turn at slow speeds and when parking or backing up and turning. About 5 years ago I put bias plies all around and am very happy. Now I can back into my garage and turn almost 90° with my left hand while looking out the rear window. New bias plies are better now than they were years ago. And they look better too. I bought Excelsior brand locally.
You did good by changing out the Window Makers. Now show us some pics of your truck.
About tires, in 1999 I put radials on my 54 F100. The ride was smooth but they were s bear to turn at slow speeds and when parking or backing up and turning. About 5 years ago I put bias plies all around and am very happy. Now I can back into my garage and turn almost 90° with my left hand while looking out the rear window. New bias plies are better now than they were years ago. And they look better too. I bought Excelsior brand locally.
Knuckle Bandage Sales Rep
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,245
From: Maine
Hi Dave,
For what it's worth in case you are looking for options;
On my F3 I have a set of Goodyear Wranglers sized 235/85R16. (diameter 31.7") On standard easy-to-find 8-lug Ford wheels. I really like the tires. I ditched the Timken rear axle and am using a Dana 60 from a '71 F250. Those tires fill the wheel wells nicely.
The one and only drawback is that the stock hubcaps won't fit on those newer wheels. Unless someone on here knows a way to get those on with clips somehow.
A 34" tire is huge.
Tom
For what it's worth in case you are looking for options;
On my F3 I have a set of Goodyear Wranglers sized 235/85R16. (diameter 31.7") On standard easy-to-find 8-lug Ford wheels. I really like the tires. I ditched the Timken rear axle and am using a Dana 60 from a '71 F250. Those tires fill the wheel wells nicely.
The one and only drawback is that the stock hubcaps won't fit on those newer wheels. Unless someone on here knows a way to get those on with clips somehow.
A 34" tire is huge.
Tom
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
A 245/85R17” will fit the 7” rim and yield about a 33.5” tire diameter. The below calculator might help. Stu
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...5r17-245-85r17
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...5r17-245-85r17
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