Tire Size

[AvodahFarm]

My 71 F100 Custom currently has 225/70/15 on the front and 225/75/15 on the rear. Previous owner installed used tires prior to selling, which I'm going to replace soon. Are these different sizes just because that's what he found used, or did the original have different sized tires? We're just talking about the profile dimension - I suspect either would be fine on the truck - but if I don't get the profile dimension right that would throw off my odometer/speedometer, correct?

While we're on the tire subject ... what's a good quality tire for a truck that stays on backroads & never sees 60mph. I just can't see putting "Toyo" or "Yokohama" on a "Made in the USA" truck!

[Ranchero50]

Depending on the duty, what ever you can afford. If it's light duty, low mileage I'd just stick some cheap tires on since they'll dry rot before you run the tread off. Used is a great option for that duty as well.

If you are going to run the interstate or far from home, buy some better stuff. Same for heavy loads.

BTW, the name no longer means where they were made...

Jamie

[AvodahFarm]

I hear you on the name not indicating the tire's origin. Still, why make the effort to restore a classic American truck & then stick blatantly Asian tires on it? I could've bought a Tundra, but I didn't

Any comment on the tire size?

[Ranchero50]

Depends on what you want it to look like. Tires make or break an image. For a cool street truck I'd go 225/70 up front and 245/70 or 255/60 out back so it's a bit wider but not much taller. For more of a farm or stock look, 225/75 or 225/80 all around.

Stock these things came with tiny tires, especially the F100's. The '70 F100 with extremely low miles up at Carlisle the other year had 5" wide tires with 15" rims on it. Both were Explorer package trucks with the 360

[sargentrs]

Mine originally had 235/75-15's on her. I swapped 'em out with some 265/75-15's I got from a friend for free. IMHO, they really kicked off the look and stance of my truck. The 265 width, and the additional height, really filled up the fender well better. I always thought the 235's looked too small on her. Here's some comparison pics...

[DuckRyder]

215/75/15 are reasonably close to stock rolling diameter on an F100 (at least from my old research) 225/75 and 235/75 are the most commonly available replacements...

Dunlop, Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin and Goodrich are probably made in the USA at least in those sizes..........

[cdeal28078]

I am running 31-10.50-15's on mine and I like the look and ride of them. I try to run Michelins on my trucks when I can. I also try to run the same size front and back so I can rotate them. If I had wider rims on the back and it was not a daily driver I would run wider tires on the back for looks. I am running stock aluminum Ford rims though. I like them and they only come in the single width that I know of so I'll stick with them.
clint

[TexasTruck72]

I am thinking about upgrading to larger tire size on my F-100. At what point does the tire width become a problem in the rear wheel wells? I was looking at the wheels wells on the bed and there seems to a potential clearance issue back there if I were to put wider tires(like 31x10.5x15) on. I am currently running a set of stock Ford steel 15" rims with almost exactly stock tire size (215/75/15) on all 4 wheels. I have a second set of Ford steel 15" rims I'd like to put a larger set of tires on for a different look, etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[BobbyFord]

You can run 10" rims on the rear with 5" of backspacing with no problem if you keep the tire width under 300mm.

[Whateverman]

I am thinking about upgrading to larger tire size on my F-100. At what point does the tire width become a problem in the rear wheel wells? I was looking at the wheels wells on the bed and there seems to a potential clearance issue back there if I were to put wider tires(like 31x10.5x15) on. I am currently running a set of stock Ford steel 15" rims with almost exactly stock tire size (215/75/15) on all 4 wheels. I have a second set of Ford steel 15" rims I'd like to put a larger set of tires on for a different look, etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

i'm running 31x10.5 's on some old wagon wheels off a 79 bronco and don't have any issues with clearance

[TexasTruck72]

This is what I am a little concerned about(see picture). I highlighted the area of concern. My current tire(215/75/15) is right at 7" tread width. I'd like to go up to a 30x9.5.x15 or 31x10.5x15tire size.



I don't know if I go up to a larger tire size, will the inside of the tire rub against the wheel well wall? I would think not, but there is a narrow amount of clearance there or at least it looks that way. I assume the steel 15" rim is centered in the middle of the tire's tread width? I am running stock wheels and have a second set I'd like to put larger tires on. I'd keep my current set as back-ups or for another old truck.

[BobbyFord]

There is a minimum recommended wheel width for tire widths.
Do a Google search for a tire/rim size calculator. Recommended rim widths are available for tire sizes.
This one might work...> http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

[derbydad276]

here is as site that tells you all the info about sizes
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

here is a side view of my bump
215/70/15 on the front 235/75/15 on the back it had 10.5 /31/15 tires on the back with stock wheels and it wasnt lifted play with back spacing on your wheels and you wont rub

[bill69f100]

I've got 30/9.5/15 with ford aluminum wheels of a 86' f150 all the way around. The rears I haven't rubbed. I put a butt load in the back. Down to the stops. Probably not a hot idea looking back on it. It was kinda hard to control past 40mph. I do however rub the front brake line and frame on tight turns. I haven't had any problems with the setup I have. Hope that helps.

[TexasTruck72]

here is as site that tells you all the info about sizes
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

here is a side view of my bump
215/70/15 on the front 235/75/15 on the back it had 10.5 /31/15 tires on the back with stock wheels and it wasnt lifted play with back spacing on your wheels and you wont rub

That's a sharp looking truck you got! How would I play around with the spacing if I use my stock steel wheels? I've never done anything like that before.