A little quick checking there MotorDog,and the info i could find lists a nominal diameter for the 8.75-16.5 at about 28"-29",while the 7.50-16 sits at 31-32".....so lets say your 662 number is valid for ONE of them,well it certainly cant be valid for the other one,can it?

 

I think he was being sarcastic on he 662. But who cares anyway, Utah just started letting folks drink beer.

 

Where did I say Ply Rating was relevant??? I didn't say that. If you have a need for info about the revs per mile of a certain tire, go to any one of several tire sales sites and read the tire specs for that specific tire yourself. I spent a lot of time one day doing just that for specific answers to questions a customer had and the questions that came up trying to follow the logic of the tire manufacturer's specifications. During that time, I gleaned a lot of info. Some useful, other info rather confusing, and some not so useful. You can do the same and then you will know for yourself.

Apparently you seem to take exception about everything I've offered here. Seeing as how you know it all, you won't have a need to ask me further about it. I certainly couldn't contribute to anyone's knowledge when they know it all. Sorry, but I won't be participating in your game on this one. I will sit back and have a beer now that someone else that knows more than most has advised me that I can now drink beer in Utah. Hahahaha!

 

Your 72 came from the factory with either 7.50 x 16 tube type or 8.75x16.5 tubeless tires. These two tire sizes rotate 662 times for each mile traveled. Speedometer, engine speed, etc., and etc., all were designed to operate this way at the best of all worlds. In replacing the original tires size with something else that is different changes everything, sometimes not for the better. Keep tires on your truck that rotate 662 times per mile. You will then be operating at optimum capabilities of the 72 you have.[/QUOTE]

Motordog......after doing a little research,the results of which i posted before,8.75-16.5's and 7.50-16.s arent the same diameter,so how could they possibly rotate the exact same number of times over the same distance?
SOME of your info was correct and very applicable to the OP's question....235/85/16 IS the closest equivalent to the old 7.50-16 as far as readily available tires go.......285/75/16 is a good choice for the old highboys,especially if you still have armstrong steering,since they are not too wide...255/85/16 would be good for them as well,but its a less popular size......As far as Beer goes,i believe Utah limits alcohol content to under 4 or 5%,and im thinking that you cant buy alcohol on sundays,but since i dont live in Utah,i will happily concede YOU probably know there liquor laws better...

 

Well now that the subject has shifted to alcohol I can finally speak with some authority. I grew up in Utah and managed to get 8 drunk driving tickets by the time I stopped drinking at age 22; that was going on 20 years ago so you would have to admit we have been drinking beer there for some time (albeit 3.2 beer). We had what you might call dry counties where you could not by beer (or alcohol) on Sundays. If you were a drinker you always new witch counties were dry and witch weren’t, if you were a smart drunk you would plan for such events (like Sundays), but even then you would probably be spending Sunday driving to a nearby county where alcohol was sold (maybe that’s why I got so many DUI’s). Some of us had learned to brew our own drink as well. I lived in Petaluma back when Gray-out Davis was still running the Peoples Republic of California, before we ousted him and put in Maria Kennedy Shriver’s husband (have to admit I voted for him once). I had stopped drinking by then but I can see how a lot of beer would have made the rolling blackouts easier to deal with, but even though I made a lot of good friends out there who would want to drink with all those liberals.

As for the tires I value all your opinions as I will be looking for new tires soon and I am trying to stay away from the piano caster look. I will try to fill the wheel well and I believe I can re-gear for the speedo.

 

so which one should i go for? the 245? 235? or 265?

were leaning towards 245 cause its cheeper and its what came on the rims we bought, but a different tire might be better i don't really know which one. we have the ford 16 inch rims. i guess its the 16 x 7.50 you all are talking about.

 

Whitetrash, I think there are still a few dry counties here in NC.

Not only no alcohol sales on Sunday, they don't sell alcohol in those counties, PERIOD...

 

Actually, the rims you have are probably 16 x 7 inches as that is what Ford mostly made. However, there is some that are 16 x 6 inches but are not common. There are also larger ones which are not common either. The 16 x 7 inch ones work with the tires discussed and were made for them.

Regarding tires, my suggestion would be to suit yourself and your pocketbook. There is a bunch of information submitted to you for your consideration. If you feel you need more info, most any reputable tire dealer will be more than happy to fill you in and answer your questions. Most new tires are competitive if they are known brands otherwise the wouldn't survive in the marketplace. Good Luck and Be Safe!

 

I am Fairley new to this part of the country so haven’t learned all the important details yet; of course I am not out looking for a drink anymore (Sunday or not). I have found a lot of things about your state interesting though. I like reading about the tobacco (and other) history here.

 

235/85R16 is a good size and common we buy lots of sets at work for our trucks. About 7 months ago they stopped buying the BFG commercial tires and switched to primewell brand tires. You can get those tires only from a firestone dealer. So far the primewell tires have done great! Very good tread lugs for being a mild A/T tire. The price is real good too at 102.00 a tire!

 

ok thanks for all the information guys, i'm feeling like i can make the right decision now. i'll talk things over with my dad and we have an appointment at firestone tonite.

 

Yeah but where you gonna get your beer?

 

we bought the 245's

 

nothing wrong with those tires,when you have the chance will you tell me how many times they turn in a mile of driving.....

 

Ole Gray Davis was a real winner, not one i will miss! With all the microbreweries around here,you have to look long and hard to find any beer as low in alcohol as 3.2%,most of its around 6%,or stronger!
My Dodge had the piano caster look from the factory,i got the basic work truck model,and it came with 245/70/17's.....it looked like you were running 4 compact spares.
when the original tires were getting towards the end of there useful life last month,i decided on 285/70/17's on new black steel wheels.....what a difference,it actually looks like a 4 wheel drive now.