I am looking at replacing my current tires on my 1971 F250. I only use the truck for light loads a few times a year for our antique business. Will only put 1000 - 2500 miles on the rig each year and limit trips to 50 - 75 miles from home base.

Currently the truck is running Firestone Trans Force 8.75 R16.5 LT. They have good tread but the sidewalls have lots of cracking. I purchased the truck last year, I would say the tire have had very low miles but may have been on there for 3-5 years.

Because of the small trip lengths and overall low yearly millage I am thinking of going to a straight bias 8.75 16.5 E Rating 10 ply tire. I do very little freeway driving. The truck has power steering. I know the ride would be smoother with the radial R16.5 but I still think the bias would work out fine, to say nothing about the price difference.

 

It would have had bias ply tires originally. It wasn't until the mid 1970's that radials were available for F100/350's and they were optional.

First US car with radials as standard equipment: 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado that had front wheel drive, the radials were Michelins.

When the Olds was run on test tracks before it was introduced, Olds engineers discovered to their horror that the bias plies wore out within 7,000 miles.

 

Don't get the bias 10 ply tires as they would beat you to death with the ride. Get radials with a lower ply rated tire as they will be much softer. Best would be to dump the 16.5 rims and go to 16"s as your choices are much greater and cheaper.

 

ND --- I had read that the 1971 F250 had bias tire when they came out. Can the 8.75 16.5 LT be had in a 6 or 8 ply.

RichS2659 --- I know were you are coming from with the ride quality, but for the short trips I make I think the stiffer bias ride would still be fine. Do you know if I can get 8.75 16.5LT in 6 or 8 ply?
Back years ago I ran 6 ply bias 16" on my 68 Chevy 292 inline 6 and it rode like a truck, fine.

 

Check for tires at Walmart or Tirerack.com. The braking distance will not be as good on the bias tires either.

 

My understanding of bias plies is they get flat spots from sitting. So your short drives may feel extra vibration until the tires warm up. I have never ran bias plies so maybe someone with experience can validate or invalidate my claim.

I have considered bias plies because the look awesome but the fact I would pay more for a tire that was worse is almost every way was not worth it for me.

Nice looking truck by the way

 

GaryKip --- Walmart has some 8.75 R/16.5 LT radials for $147 & some same size bias for $104 each. As my top speed is in the 40-50 MPH range, almost no freeway driving and I give others lots of room I don't think stopping distance would be an issue. Thanks for the reply.

Lrrr --- I'm with you on bias needing to warm up to a point. I really feel like the newer bias compound do not flatten like the 60's & 70's bias did. The cost in Southern CA runs $50 more for radial's than bias. I do like the look of bias tread pattern and sidewall.

 

My experience with bias ply tires on my 1967 Mercury F100 (35 years ago) was that it handled terribly at highway speeds. It would wander to the point of being dangerous. The truck had approximately 120,000 miles on it at the time with all of the original front end parts--worn out in my opinion. My father suggested putting a new set of radials on the truck, he said it would steer much better. Dad was right. A set of new radial tires made it handle like a dream in spite of the worn parts. It was a totally different truck with radials. I will never put bias ply tires on my old Fords again. Has anyone else had this experience?

 

Red Mercury --- I agree with you on the 60's-80's bias treads, but I was hoping to hear from some members that have run today's bias tires. I may be all wrong. Has anyone tried 16.5 or 16 bias tires?

 

They still make bias ply tires? I wouldn't even consider that as an option. Even the most basic imported load range D radial would be an improvement over bias ply.

 

ford390gashog --- Ya they still make bias tires. Question, do you know if anyone makes a 8.75 R16.5 6 ply tire or are 10 ply all you can get?

Now a days I only load my F250 300 C4 4.9L pickup with 500 - 1200 #'s 6-8 times a year for trips less than 25 miles.

10 ply tires seem like overkill for what I do with my ride. Most of the time the truck see's around town drives with the bed empty.

 

Bias Tires Should be for Show's and 32 Hotrods, Ditch the 16 1/2's as Mentioned and Update all @ once. With even a Light Load and a Blowout own Steering Tire @ 45 or 50 MPH is enough to Pitch half a lane just in time to Head own a Van Load of Kids. Why even BS around with even considering it. I drove own Bias Ply Tires when Steel Belts were a Novelty for thicker Pocket Books. There is no Comparison and Plain Damn Stupid to Discuss.

 

Only 16.5 tires available in that size are trailer tires. Making the switch to 16 inch wheels is beneficial and you can keep your center caps.

 

Sure I've got a set.... For the drag strip.

 

I am going to stay with the Firestone Trans Force HT that I have on the truck right now, they are 8.75 R 16.5 LT Radials 10 ply. Not worth my time and effort to change to 16" as the Firestone Trans Force HT are easy to find in my area. I am thinking this new set of tires may outlast my driving days, then my Grandson can put what ever he wants on it.