Finally radial tires!

[FLATBEDFORD]

Up until a few weeks ago my F350 was running on the original split ring wheels with bias ply tires and tubes. I bought it this way and while I wanted to upgrade, the old tires had some much tread left on them that I couldn't justify tossing them and spending about $900 on six new tires.

After hearing all the horror stories about the old split ring wheels I wanted to get rid of them.

A few years ago I got a set of one piece wheels for $50 and I picked up 4 more over the winter for $75.
I replaced the 235/85R16 tires on my F250 this summer with 265/75R16s, so between the assorted tires that were on the wheels I got, the old tires on my F250, including the spare, and some stuff left over from my '96 F250. I put together a set of 6 decent tires and headed over to a friend of mine's who has a huge garage and tire changing machines.

He built this garage a few years ago.


After a couple hours of tire dismounting and mounting, I had a set of tires for the old truck and he had a set of wheels for his old van. I stopped on the way home and picked up a can of paint and cleaned and painted my new wheels at home. After a day to dry I swapped the one piece wheels on.



The truck looks AND drives much better now. Anybody want 7 7.5-16LT tires with plenty of tread? Or 7 split ring dually wheels?

[TNIceWolf]

Glad to see that you got it done! Having been there and done that I can appreciate the difference it makes.

[FLATBEDFORD]

The truck drives like a new truck now. All I need to do now is re-arch the rear springs, install rear shocks, rebuild the steering column, and convert to front disc brakes. Oh yeah I also have to replace the muffler, do some rust repair, re deck the flatbed, rebuild the racks, etc. the truck will always be a work in progress.

[basketcase0302]

The tires and wheels look nice Steve. I try to let guys know who are running the bias ply's that they need to go away as soon as possible!
I bet you do notice such a ride difference now, I know i sure did when I changed mine.
And what a shop, (as I wipe the drool off my keyboard)!

[AlleyCat]

Nice job Steve Radials make a huge difference in handling.

[mcheath]

Nice work on the new wheels and tires. My F250 has ancient bias plys on it, pity that they have so much tread left. But man they handle bad. This upgrade is certainly on my radar screen for the coming months.

[1970 Hi-Boy]

Now you can enjoy driving your truck, instead of thinking about your tires. For any others out there with old tires on their truck that may come along and read this, don't be like me and keep them too long. Being one not to give up on something just because it's old, I poo-pooed the idea of new tires because the old ones(radials) that were on the truck still had plenty of tread left to wear, like a lot. I learned of the limitation after having one blow, explode would be more like it. After some trials and tribulation with the jack, I managed to mount the spare tire on the truck, but felt very uneasy driving as it was the original from 1970, also a split rim and probably has air still in it from 1970 as well. While researching new tires, I found out that tire manufacturers do not recommend keeping tires on a vehicle past ten years. After my recent experience, I think I'll choose to tend to believe them as the tires were older than that. Hopefully that bit of info will save someone else from going through the trouble I did. I also bought a solid rim for the spare so it can be changed out as well, and I can retire(no pun intended) the old split rim/Good-Year, so I can ride easy in the event of a flat again.

[FLATBEDFORD]

: And what a shop, (as I wipe the drool off my keyboard)!

It is quite a shop! Take note that the flag in the picture is 4'x8'! There is a lift in one bay and there will be another lift soon. He's about 45 minutes from me but always offers his help and garage.