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| | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,234 Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part | | Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,234 | Bolters,
I am debating on which route to go with tires...bias ply or radial. Any discussion or assistance with the decision would be great! I have been going through the "Search" and reviewing old discussions.
My truck will not be a daily driver since i commute with wife and son (3 years old) with We one on the way in June. Wife and 2 car seats won't fit in cab as much as i wish that we all could.
Truck: 1951 Chevy 3100 (as seen in pics below)
Upgrades/changes: Lowered/dropped front axle 4", disc brakes on front with upgraded dual master cylinder.
Rims: stock 15"
Tire size: Wide white walls- G78-15 or p215 75 R15
Goal: Enjoy truck and take for local trips with fellow bolters, wife or son when complete. Keep a few extra $$ in pocket if possible.
Questions:
1. Since it will not be a daily driver, will the bias ply tires get flat spots that i will have issues with every time i drive it?
2. If you get flat spots, do they smooth out shortly after driving?
3. Is it worth starting with bias ply and later changing to radials if i don't like the way they ride?
Thoughts,
Chris
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | You will get a lot of opinions from folks about this. My general thoughts are as follows. Bias ply are what came on the truck. They fit and work. They will get flat spots when parked over time. Jack stands can solve that.They are getting more expansive and harder to find. They will work with inner tubes. They look great and are "correct: for the antique crowd.
Radial tires are better. They can be fitted just fine. They work great. They don't like inner tubes. They can also develop flat spots over time. They stop better. Roll better, and last longer. They ride better and steer better. They can be had from a local tire shop. The don't come with a wide white wall. Others will have some different ideas. Enjoy
Steve H
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,234 Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part | | Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,234 | Thanks Steve, I appreciate your thoughts on this! FYI, Coker does have a 2.5 and 3.25" (?) white wall in radial that i was considering. BFGoodrich also has a "silvertown" wide white wall also.
Chris | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | don't worry....be happy. Go with radials from a local shop. You will not regret it. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 | If you plan to do highway cruising go radial. Since you lowered your truck the people who will say anything about radials will be the first to tell you your truck is too low.
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,706 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,706 | I'm running bias ply and. They look great for the age and style of the truck.
I am not happy with them.
The ride is terrible.
They wander over every groove, bounce like crazy and make my old truck ride like an old truck.
I'm also running 2 piece rims that only 1 shop in town will touch.
I am buying conventional rims this summer so I can convert to radials and have any tire shop work on them.
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm TruckStovebolt Gallery Forums1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | My old bias ply tires would "hunt" all over if the road had grooves. And when I put on radials, I finally could take a cup of coffee with me to work.
Last edited by Wally / Montana; 03/18/2015 7:47 PM.
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,234 Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part | | Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,234 | So I am guess that I will be buying radials if i plan on not spilling my coffee on a country drive or rattling the fillings out of my teeth. For smoothness and comfort, i guess my mind has been made up for me.
Thanks,
Chris | | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 32 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 32 | yeah i agree with radials. i have 20/65/15 in the front (i have discs as well) and 265/60/25 in the rear, but the rears i had to install billet 2" bolton spacers but man the look is awesome and fit the wells with no issues and now miss the stock shocks and the bed. i do have a 70's caprice 10 bolt in the rear though. not sure if it matches the dimensions of the stock rear if you have stock.
again it looks awesome!
Loving my new (old) '53 3100 5 window!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 32 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 32 | btw "sweet" i love the avatar!!!
Loving my new (old) '53 3100 5 window!
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