I’m style-impaired. Can barely dress myself presentably. Need help picking some tires for my ‘71 all original Camper Special. It’s Agua top with Wimbledon white from window down. It’s strictly a road truck for running errands around town. CA, so no snow ever, no freezing temps, and very little rain. Very nearly a desert.

i’ve got the original 16.5” rims on it, and original hubcaps. I’m told I need to switch to 16” rims to get a good tire selection, which I could do if need be. (Could I still use my hubcaps?).

I want modern radials that handle and ride really well on the road above all else. I’d like something with a little more style and aggressiveness than the old boring bias plies, but everything I see on web is either total off-road looking, or total original/commercial blank sidewall boring. Anybody know of a model that is road focused, but has a flare/attitude?

 

I agree switching to 16" rims will open up a whole other world for tire selection. 16" 8 lug stock steel rims are plentiful and cheap. Wheels up to 97 F250 will fit and use the same hubcaps. Then you can shop for the tire you like best, here. From your description, a nice all terrain type tire could suit your desires. They look somewhat aggressive without going full mudder, while having good highway manners. I'm running the BFG's and plenty happy with them. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...PzTwe2Pgn-zOyS

 

I am running Yokohama's on my Lincoln Mark LT- YK-HTX... very nice handling and appearance tire IMHO.

 

Yes, new hubcaps
On your 1971, when you switch wheels to a 16 inch,from say a 1990, you will need a different hubcap I believe
You look at the rounded hubcap on a 1985 or the flattened ones off a 1995, they will both fit the newer wheels I believe

 

Ok, so I picked the tires. BFG Trail-Terrain T/As. I think they’re the balance I’m looking for. I’m going 265/75 R16 for the extra inch of height.

Now, rims?! I just want original looking rims that are 16x8, 4” backspace, and will accept my original hubcaps.

I see Dorman makes a set of 16x7s that are cheap from O’Reilly ($120 ea.), but the reviews are scaring me away. Some reviews say hubcaps fall off or won’t go on, and a couple say they got not-round rims.

The only other choice I can find is Wheel Vintiques 82 Series ($176 ea. Summit), but they’re 16x7s and powdercoated black. I emailed them, they only do powdercoat, which is a waste because i want to paint them Wimbledon White like originals. They’ll have 16x8s in a month, at like $220 ea.

anyone know of a different vendor that makes original style?

 

One other question: the tires i picked call for 7-9” rims. One source I saw said 7.5” rims. So I’ve been trying to find 8”, which I hope is optimal, and maybe provide more flexibility later if I change tires.. Do you think it makes a difference in ride, control, and wear? Should I just grab the 7” rims that are available?

 

This is my '68 F250, CS with steel wheels off a '95 F250 - sourced from a junkyard - wearing 245/75R16 tires.

They fit very well on the truck and the original hubcaps that were on the old 16.5 inch wheels fit just fine.

Like others have said, grab a set from a salvage yard, paint them, have tires put on them and you'll be fine.
C

 

OP,

The 265/75R16 BF Goodrich BFG-21052 is usually happy anywhere in that 7-9" wheel range, so don't get too hung up on 7" vs 8".

Generally, with the same tire, a skinnier wheel gives the sidewall a little more flex so the ride can feel a bit softer and cushier, but maybe not quite as grounded or direct in the steering feedback. Going to a wider wheel stretches the sidewall out more and makes it a little stiffer, so the ride may not be as smooth, but handling and cornering can feel a little more planted and stable with more of that 1:1 feel through the wheel, assuming the rest of the steering and suspension is tight.

Honestly, for a truck like this, we’d probably care more about getting a quality wheel with the right backspacing than chasing the perfect 7" vs 8" width. The Wheel Vintiques 16x7 WVI-82-670804A would work just fine with that tire, but if the 16x8 WVI-82-680804A wheels are exactly what you want and you don’t mind waiting a month, those would help with a broader tire selection down the road.

Regarding the hubcaps, “OE Style” doesn’t necessarily mean guaranteed fitment with original Ford hubcaps. The recommended hubcap for the 82 Series wheel is the WVI-1011-B, which has an 11.625" diameter where it fits into the wheel. So if your original caps measure the same or very close, you just might be able to make them work.

 

That looks nice, and those original hubcaps fit
Sweet
Post pics when you are done Thaddeusrex
I would just leave the wheels silver
and
Get spares, that have never been on the ground

 

Perfect advice Coastal68, thank you. Beautiful family too! I can’t imagine a better picture than that.