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Correct Tire Size

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Old Jul 25, 2009 | 09:26 AM
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Correct Tire Size

My tires are getting pretty worn on the back and I'm not sure what size tires these trucks are supposed to run. Right now I have 275/60R15 on the rear and 255/60R15 in the front. The fronts are still in really good shape, so I was thinking of putting some new 255/60's on the rear. However, I'm hesitant to do that because I know that the 275/60's that I have on the rear are a taller tire. My truck is 1973 F100, 2WD, 390, 3-Spd manual, w/ 9" rear. I'm not sure what the gearing is in the rear.

1. Will it hurt to go with the 255's?

2. What is the original size tire that came on these trucks?
 
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Old Jul 25, 2009 | 09:48 AM
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Most came with a 235/75 15, a 275/65 will give you the same height tire, just wider. The 255 will be shorter and effect the speedo.
Here the tire size formula. widthXsidewall percent gives sidewall height.
275/65 X15 works like this
275mmX0.75 equals 178mm tall sidewall
Original
235/75X15 equals 176mm tall sidewall, 2mm is not noticable.
Go with the 275, they look great on the rears.
 
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Old Jul 25, 2009 | 02:26 PM
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275/60-15 = 27.99"

255/60-15 = 27.04"

Now that is theoritical height, measured height on the truck is always slightly less. In reality going to the smaller tire will raise the cruise RPM about 100.

Josh
 
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Old Jul 25, 2009 | 03:54 PM
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That's good info...I really don't want to increase my RPM, cause it's already high enough with that 3-speed tranny.
 
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Old Jul 25, 2009 | 04:09 PM
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If I remember correctly, original equipment tire size should be on the White lable below the driver door striker bolt.

Most of these earlier trucks came with a SAE tire size.

When the industry switched to metric, the original SAE size, was converted to the nearest metric equivelent.

235/75/R15 is a metric tire size.
 
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