Truckernix,
Well I have been purchasing new tires for my 54 1 ton. Only one at a time due to the price of them. Anyhow, on mine they are 7.00 X 18" and they are made by STA (Speciality Tires of America) I have been paying around $150.00 per tire that price includes new inner tube, mounting and balancing. I didn't think that was really all out of line, since I paid right at $110.00 a piece for my 2000 Silverado last summer.
I let the tire shop mount them since they are split rims and they have the cage to do it safely.
The tires look just like the tread pattern that was on the original Firestone tires that was on my turck. I decided to stay with a highway tread, mainly for the reduction of noise and it really handles nice at 60 plus M.P.H. I had a mud/snow grip on the rear duals, and they make some noise 45 and above, then also they viberate. May have been from their age too.
The STA tires are 10 ply and I think that is more than adequate for what I would ever be hauling. It's more of a daily driver than a hauling truck these days.
I thought about changing the wheels over to 16 inch, but since all seven wheels are in great shape and I know how it handles with these wheels, why change something that works? Then you have to re-figure the speedometer and probably have to install a speed reducer at the transmission.
Now, I have heard by installing smaller wheels it improves the handling and then the factor that 16 inch tires would be easier to come by and you wouldn't have to special order the STA tires or another brand.
Plus my main thought was, by keeping the 18 inch wheels it was keeping the old truck original.
Just my $.02 worth,
John
