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I have a 1979 f150 4x4.
currently, I think the rims are 15x8" and current tires are 235/75/r15.
These tires look woefully small for the truck and would love the look of a larger tire.
Looks like the widest I can go on the current rim is 245mm, but not a common tire size.
Rear diff gearing in the 9" is 3.5.
I don't want the truck to run like a dog if I get too large of a tire.
Ideally, I'd love to having something in the 31-33" diameter range, but don't know if I'll be able to achieve this without new rims. Also would prefer not to change out the rear diff gearing as well.
What do you guys think? any recs?
IF the wheels are 15x8 ... and IF mine, I'd look at 31x10.50-15s or "maybe" even 32x11.50-15s. I do run the 31x10.50-15s on 15x8 wheels, to me they look perfect and my speedometer is "dead ***** accurate" with them.
IF the wheels turn out to be 15x7, the 31x10.50-15 will still fit great, look great too ... and the 32x12.50-15 will fit, but with a hair more bulge.
Back with a set of tires in the '80s, I tried a set of the 32s, but I did not know then I had 15x7 wheels, they looked OK but I continually had balance issues. Likely was the tires just not being great.
Next set of tires were 31x10.50-15s, they did great, just wore fast as I built my home. .It was after that when I actually measured a wheel, they were 15x7s. I bought new 15x8s then, and I got a set in a trade of stuff..
31 x10.50's will always fit fine. in my opinion 32 x 11.50's fit most stock half tons well. 33x12.50's are sometimes okay and sometimes have clearance issues and look dumb.
These are 32x11.50's on stock 8' wheels on my K10. not a ford but you get an idea of the look. .
When I bought my truck, it had 3:50 gears, stock suspension and 33x12.50R15 tires on 15x10 chrome wagon wheels. Truck ran just fine and tires didn't rub at all. I would get 32x11.50R15 tires on 15x8 wheels.
looks great. I have a freshly rebuilt 400 with a C6 behind it. Short bed flare side. 9” with a 3.50 diff gear.
Same as mine except mine is an 8 foot Styleside bed, I know you have plenty power, but you'll appreciate the 31s with those gears I think. Easier on brakes too, and they drive good.
Same as mine except mine is an 8 foot Styleside bed, I know you have plenty power, but you'll appreciate the 31s with those gears I think. Easier on brakes too, and they drive good.
31” as opposed to what? Larger tires? Will I really start to notice a difference going up to 32” or 33”? And will I need to change the speedo gear to reflect accurate mph?
My current tires are 235/75 R15 which comes in around 29”. Wasn’t sure if jumping up to 32-33” would alter the speedo that much. I can always check it with GPS. Speedo is probably more accurate than the oil pressure gauge.
Going to 33" tire will show 57-56mph at 60 actual. It really isn't worth worrying about. There will be power loss, but not like 50hp loss. Again, don't worry about it. Get the tire size that you think looks the best in your opinion and you will be happy with.
This is my '76 with stock front springs/ upgraded rears (previous owner had a camper in it) on 17 x8" (0 offset) wheels with a 285/70/17 (~33 11.50 17). These rubbed the radius arm at full lock, but were otherwise fine. My truck has a stock 360/ 4 -spd/ 3.50 gears.
Going to 33" tire will show 57-56mph at 60 actual. It really isn't worth worrying about. There will be power loss, but not like 50hp loss. Again, don't worry about it. Get the tire size that you think looks the best in your opinion and you will be happy with.
X2 ... but don't totally forget about it.
Older U S Highway or state road with 55 or 60 posted, driveways, side roads, mowers, and school buses, and maybe lemonade stands, etc ... stuff not seen on Interstates, set that speedometer at 5 over, add in those extra 3 or 4 mph ... meet a radar set ... it suddenly might matter.
Also, one might make note for figuring gas mileage, because the odometer is reading less too. Traveling 110 miles on 10 gallons is 11 mpg and if it saddens one that "Ole Blue" only got 11 mpg ... one can then look at that note on the speedometer that one put there, figure out that one really traveled 118 miles and suddenly one will see that "Ole Blue" really got 11.8 mpg.
Yeah, I know ... now things are looking better. Might not have to rob junior's piggy bank for that ticket after all.
This was my 79 that I miss. Had a 2 1/2in Rancho lift with 33x12.5x15 BFG's on 15x10 aluminum rims. The mildly built 400 cruised at 70mph real nice...turning ~2700rpm...spinning 3:50 gears. Speedometer was accurate.
I'll be honest, half of my gauges don't work anyway. So, I don't even waste my time looking at the speedometer. I just have a feel for my speed. Usually, I'm plus or minus 5mph of the limit, so I'm good. I guess daily driving the same old truck for 11+ years will do that to you.
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Might not have to rob junior's piggy bank for that ticket after all.
