A while back I posted a few pics of my 56 F-800 fire engine, well after working on it off and on all winter I finally got it running right and got the brakes working. She's on the road and passed state inspection, however the tires are showing some age. They passed with no problem but they're close to 40 years old and are recaps so I really would like to replace them here before I go to far.

My question is the truck has 10.00 20's on it and has plenty of power, The fire department that I'm in is getting ready to replace the old bias ply tires on out tanker. The tires only have about 10,000 miles on them and being a fire engine they never sat outside in the sun so they are in real good shape (the age of the tires is the driving force to replace them being an emergency vehicle and all) I can probably get all 6 for 200 bucks with the rims. The problem is they are 11.00 20's

From what I can see clearances to the fenders wont be a problem, and I know the speedometer will be off a little if I do this but I'm not to concerend about that. I'm just wondering if I will have any other problems that I havent thought of. I think the old 332 should have enough horse power to turn them all right but I'm kind of curious if any one has 11.00 20's on a big gas job and how they compare with the shorter 10.00 20's

My gut fealing is to gamble and pick them up to try, if they dont work out I could probably sell them and break even. One way or another I need to put some newer rubber on this truck soon, last thing I want to do is tear up a fender with a blown out retread.

Thanks for the input

 

Seems like a "no-brainer" to me. Especially if they're already mounted on rims and you get them too. The only possible issue to me would have been, had the rims not been included, would the tires possibly be too wide for your existing rims. You'd have needed to check width of your stock rims. But as you've described it, I'd jump on the deal. Stu

 

I'd say as long as you have clearance to run the larger tires, go for it!

 

I don't have a listing for 1956, but in 1954 the 11.00" x 20" tires were an option on F-900s. Same body, same fenders, so you shouldn't have any clearance issues that I see. Stu

 

As you may know I run several of these trucks, and I run 11-00s on all
trucks, and I just find they seem to ride better and be more stable, and
dont worry about the speedometer, you wont even notice it. sp

 

like said above--- it is a great deal and, as long as these tires are not dry rotted, should work out real good. go for it!

 

Thanks for the input I'll jump on these at the next meeting when they decide which tires shop they're going to go with. They've got a few years on them but there's no weather checking at all and they've never been outside the building unless the truck was gointo a call which it dose only about 10 times a year or on drills once a month so they should be good to go. One things for sure they're alot better that what I have on her now, and a little smoother ride would be a big plus also.

Thanks again