Tire Sizes
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Tire Sizes
I got some new front tires today to replace the low profile 235-60-15 I was running that look too small. They were 25 3/4 tall and looked were dwarfed by the huge wheel wells. (See my webpage if you are curious. You need about 28" tire diameter to fill the wheel well up if you are lowered. Probably need more than that if you are at stock height. A BF Goodrich Radial TA 235-70-15 is a nice reasonably priced choice in my opinion. A 16" or larger rim is needed if you want to run the 60 or wider series tire and fill up the fenders. I'll post PICs soon if anyone cares to see them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Tire Sizes
Fenders,
I know they aren't performance tires, but 75 series tires do a much better job of filling wheelwells than 60 or 70 series. I plan to use 235-75 on the rear of my truck, but haven't decided on the front yet. I'm thinking about 215-75 or something near that. I look forward to seeing your pictures.
I know they aren't performance tires, but 75 series tires do a much better job of filling wheelwells than 60 or 70 series. I plan to use 235-75 on the rear of my truck, but haven't decided on the front yet. I'm thinking about 215-75 or something near that. I look forward to seeing your pictures.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Tire Sizes
Vern
You are correct about the 75s but I have new 8 inch wide rims and this was not an option for me. A 7" wide rim would have been sufficient for the front. The 235-70-15s fill my wheelwells real nice but i think the Goodrich Radial TAs are a bit taller than many other brands.
You are correct about the 75s but I have new 8 inch wide rims and this was not an option for me. A 7" wide rim would have been sufficient for the front. The 235-70-15s fill my wheelwells real nice but i think the Goodrich Radial TAs are a bit taller than many other brands.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,440
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County, CA
Tire Sizes
I run BFG Radial T/A 255/70X15's on all four corners on my '59. They are tall enough to fill the wheel wells adequately and provide a comfortable ride cushion with the higher profile. They also seem wide enough for decent traction without suffering mpg. Keeping in mind that my leaf springs are de-carced to lower the truck about 1.5" in front and 2.5" in the back.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 528
Likes: 2
From: Hanau Germany
Tire Sizes
... my plan for my 54 called for skinny, but tall front tires and some a bit wider for the rear. This is what I ended up with:
Front: 205/75-R15 on 5.5"x15"
Rear: 235/75-R15 on 6"x15"
The front tires sure won't fill my wheelwells, especially with my girly SBF and the stock springs.
Load rating is also important when looking for tires. Interestingly the F100s came with various load ratings and tire sizes. I don't have the numbers on hand but I remember that the lowest one appeared to me to be so low that you could max. carry a small box of cotton ***** without overloading the truck.
As for the width / height typically the manufacturers list these dimension when mounted on a test rim and you can look it up in their catalogs or on the web. The test rim is typically in the middle of the rim width range the tire was made for. For my tires above the rims I use are both on the low end (i.e. the smallest width allowed for these tires) and therefore my tire/wheel combo should be slightly taller than what they listed.
My tires are Continental ContiTrac SUV. Nice pattern. Raised white letter. However, I mounted the white letters to the inside to make it look more "basic".
Front: 205/75-R15 on 5.5"x15"
Rear: 235/75-R15 on 6"x15"
The front tires sure won't fill my wheelwells, especially with my girly SBF and the stock springs.
Load rating is also important when looking for tires. Interestingly the F100s came with various load ratings and tire sizes. I don't have the numbers on hand but I remember that the lowest one appeared to me to be so low that you could max. carry a small box of cotton ***** without overloading the truck.
As for the width / height typically the manufacturers list these dimension when mounted on a test rim and you can look it up in their catalogs or on the web. The test rim is typically in the middle of the rim width range the tire was made for. For my tires above the rims I use are both on the low end (i.e. the smallest width allowed for these tires) and therefore my tire/wheel combo should be slightly taller than what they listed.
My tires are Continental ContiTrac SUV. Nice pattern. Raised white letter. However, I mounted the white letters to the inside to make it look more "basic".
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Tire Sizes
Daryl's 255-70s would be a pretty close fit on my 53 with Volare. Very close to tires are 255-60-15 and fit perfectly. I contemplated 275s but I don't think I could do it without hanging them outside the wheel wells.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Tire Sizes
Talk about filling up the wheelwell opening on a 51-52 truck. Well mine on my 52 are. I'm running 235-85-16 tires all the way around. ( front and rear.) 235-85-16 tires are 31 inches tall. And its not because the truck sits high. The bottom of my running boards are 8 inches from the floor and the bottom of my front bumper is 101/2 inches off the floor. And the truck sits level. Thinking about droping it 2 more inches all the way around.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Tire Sizes
TryMe,
Wish I could find 85 series tires in 15 inch. I think the highest profile for 15 inch is 75 series now. There used to be a 78 series and the 80 series seems to be only for very small tires. I used some 80 series 15 inch tires on the front of my 29 Ford that worked out very well. They were originally for a VW. I would imagine that those 85 series really do fill up the wheelwells nicely. I like big, tall, fat, tires on these old trucks.
Wish I could find 85 series tires in 15 inch. I think the highest profile for 15 inch is 75 series now. There used to be a 78 series and the 80 series seems to be only for very small tires. I used some 80 series 15 inch tires on the front of my 29 Ford that worked out very well. They were originally for a VW. I would imagine that those 85 series really do fill up the wheelwells nicely. I like big, tall, fat, tires on these old trucks.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 528
Likes: 2
From: Hanau Germany
Tire Sizes
Hey Vern,
... you right. That's why I ended up buying 75s. The VW tires are pretty skinny and the load rating for them is far too low. The 205/75s I have now are really the minimum I could use (with the higher rated 235/75s in the rear). I was originally looking for a radial replacement for 7.00x15s. They were really tall. Unfortunately they don't make any which even come close (unless you want to guy wide like a 9.50x15 or so).
... you right. That's why I ended up buying 75s. The VW tires are pretty skinny and the load rating for them is far too low. The 205/75s I have now are really the minimum I could use (with the higher rated 235/75s in the rear). I was originally looking for a radial replacement for 7.00x15s. They were really tall. Unfortunately they don't make any which even come close (unless you want to guy wide like a 9.50x15 or so).
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Tire Sizes
Kai,
All those old original size tires like 6:70-15, 7:10-15, 7:60-15, 8:50-15, etc, used in the 50s and 60s were 80 series profile. I remember using some 9:50-15s on the rear of an Olds powered 31 Ford coupe I had in 1961 and 6:70:15s on the fronts. That was about as close to bigs and littles as you could get in those days. I also remember using a white marker to outline the tire information to make them look like white lettered tires because about the only tires with white letters in those days were slicks for drag racing. Ah, the good old days...
All those old original size tires like 6:70-15, 7:10-15, 7:60-15, 8:50-15, etc, used in the 50s and 60s were 80 series profile. I remember using some 9:50-15s on the rear of an Olds powered 31 Ford coupe I had in 1961 and 6:70:15s on the fronts. That was about as close to bigs and littles as you could get in those days. I also remember using a white marker to outline the tire information to make them look like white lettered tires because about the only tires with white letters in those days were slicks for drag racing. Ah, the good old days...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Tire Sizes
I am planning on using 235x60x15's on all four corners of my 54. (Blackwalls with no white raised letters.) It has a volarie front end, but does not sit too low. I like the idea of keeping all four tires the same size so that I can rotate them for more even wear. I also like the smoothie rims because of their look, price, and the lack of brake dust coming through and causing me the chore of cleaning the color-matched rims constantly. I'm going to use the small inner chrome caps with the beauty rings. John T
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Tire Sizes
Daryl
Turn on CNN, they are passing out free Middle Eastern Vacation packages to service members. I am missing out on the fun so far but I am providing the complimentary camouflage rental cars. Supposedly I don't work tomorrow. I'll try to take the PICs then. Would that be quick enough for you Daryl
Turn on CNN, they are passing out free Middle Eastern Vacation packages to service members. I am missing out on the fun so far but I am providing the complimentary camouflage rental cars. Supposedly I don't work tomorrow. I'll try to take the PICs then. Would that be quick enough for you Daryl
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,923
Likes: 1,052
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Tire Sizes
Hey Dewayne...
do people not realize you're trying to get a war started here ????
Hey everybody.... cut the man some slack....
he's busy counting humvees and apaches and bullets and stuff.. oh yes and those wonderful delicious/nutricious... MREs hmmmmm yummmmy
now.... everybody... as you were ! stand at ease...
later DEWAYNE and be cool
john
do people not realize you're trying to get a war started here ????
Hey everybody.... cut the man some slack....
he's busy counting humvees and apaches and bullets and stuff.. oh yes and those wonderful delicious/nutricious... MREs hmmmmm yummmmynow.... everybody... as you were ! stand at ease...
later DEWAYNE and be cool
john
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Tire Sizes
John T.
Take a good look at my webpage before you commit to 235-60s. That is what was on the front of my truck and I don't think it looked good at all.
Also,
This is way off topic but I gotta share this with you guys. Today was pretty interesting. It seems an Illinois Air Guard pilot thought it would be way cool to do a fly over his Grandmothers house here yesterday in two horse town. He did four low level passes and a barrel roll or two in his F-15.
I am in a Field Artillery unit which borders an airport so naturally that must be where the jet came from. Some of the concerned citizens around here called and tore 'fenders up all day today. Ever try to explain to an 80 year old women that the Army has no F-15s? At mach two, it did not necessarily have to come from anywhere around here. Yes maam, I am very sorry, yes that was very irresponsible, yes, he will probably get in trouble, I'm sure it did scare you but I don't think you need to worry, there is not much chance of an Iraqi fighter jet ever making it to Illinois, Nevermind, I am very sorry and we won't do that anymore......
Take a good look at my webpage before you commit to 235-60s. That is what was on the front of my truck and I don't think it looked good at all.
Also,
This is way off topic but I gotta share this with you guys. Today was pretty interesting. It seems an Illinois Air Guard pilot thought it would be way cool to do a fly over his Grandmothers house here yesterday in two horse town. He did four low level passes and a barrel roll or two in his F-15.
I am in a Field Artillery unit which borders an airport so naturally that must be where the jet came from. Some of the concerned citizens around here called and tore 'fenders up all day today. Ever try to explain to an 80 year old women that the Army has no F-15s? At mach two, it did not necessarily have to come from anywhere around here. Yes maam, I am very sorry, yes that was very irresponsible, yes, he will probably get in trouble, I'm sure it did scare you but I don't think you need to worry, there is not much chance of an Iraqi fighter jet ever making it to Illinois, Nevermind, I am very sorry and we won't do that anymore......