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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 366
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Hi all.

With the help of Ken and the others, the shocks were a great addition. Less flying up and crashing down. BUT. It feels like the cab would take far less beating with softer front tires. headscratch I know some of you mentioned recheck the balancing. Before i do that though, i think these rock hard 12 ply 80 pai tires Are too hard for this truck and wondering your opinions. The tiresand rims are about 170# ea (front as well ) 1600# load capable each. They literally feel like rocks.

1. Should i consider a softer tire up front?
2. If so, is it ok to have softer up front and keep the 12 ply 1600# per tires on the back?
Edit - can i run a lower air pressure in these a than 80#? I cant seem to find the answer anywhere.

Posting front tires ( you can see specs)
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F34775DB-F5DF-46EF-95A3-DC0523B92DE9.jpeg (291.76 KB, 199 downloads)
A7BF9693-3FF7-46DB-81C2-16152F4CAEA0.jpeg (371.74 KB, 196 downloads)
Fronts

Last edited by 38_1.5Ton; 10/23/2022 7:24 PM.

'38 1.5ton; "The stuff is as tough as woodpecker lips"
Joined: Jun 2011
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E
Crusing in the Passing Lane
Crusing in the Passing Lane
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,096
Too many plies on lightweight trucks is a common problem!

Ed


'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Hi Ed. I am learning.. It has been a cross between comfort and keeping it looking somewhat original. Any ideas for a solution? Is there a better tire for those front 19.5's? Im hitting this now just bc its taken 2 years to make it driveable.

Last edited by 38_1.5Ton; 10/23/2022 11:26 PM.

'38 1.5ton; "The stuff is as tough as woodpecker lips"
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,836
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Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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Try dropping the pressure a little- - - - -55 or 60 PSI will keep the beads seated, and unless you're hauling max gross weight loads, the tires don't need to be inflated to the top pressure. They're not like tube type tires, which need to have more pressure to keep the rim parts from coming apart and maybe causing a blowout. Letting the sidewalls flex a little is OK unless you' re running close to the maximum weight the tire is designed to handle. Tire shops won't tell you that you can drop the pressure- - - -they're terrified of all the ambulance chasing legal beagles just waiting to haul them into court for giving common sense advice.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Soften them until the steering feels mushy, then add some air till it straightens out. I run 60 psi in my pick-up when not loaded or towing, those are 80 psi tires and rattle my teeth without a load.


1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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[edit] I cant believe it but the max rating is 110#. I have been running 80.. Still drive like rocks though
Thanks guys! This is super appreciated pointers. I will try lower and see how it rides. again, no load hauling here... One of the tires had gone down to 30psi IIRC, from a loose stem.. pumped right back up.. 60-70 is definitely work a try.

Last edited by 38_1.5Ton; 10/23/2022 11:59 PM.

'38 1.5ton; "The stuff is as tough as woodpecker lips"
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Nothing much to add other than those tires are rated at about 3500lbs not 1600.

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'Bolter
'Bolter
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On the side (pic) it says 1600 max infl. <–- wait u are right! That was kg 😮Anyone have suggestions on softer tires pls let me know if letting air out and rebalancing doesnt work wave

Last edited by 38_1.5Ton; 10/24/2022 2:53 AM.

'38 1.5ton; "The stuff is as tough as woodpecker lips"
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 366
3
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Side question. It would be dumb to go bias ply originals in front right? I could do that but the back is a new axle.


'38 1.5ton; "The stuff is as tough as woodpecker lips"
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,991
7
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Posts: 1,991
The radials are going to ride better than the bias-ply even if you went with a lighter tire.


1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,096
E
Crusing in the Passing Lane
Crusing in the Passing Lane
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,096
One can keep eyes out for 22.5’s also. Never can tell what might show up on abandoned, junk, etc. vehicles.

Ed


'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,836
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,836
The only downside to lowering tire pressure on a tapered bead tubeless tire is less resistance to breaking the bead seal in an unexpected hard turn or rubbing a curb while parking. There's no safety bead on a taper bead rim to keep the tire from being pushed away from the rim.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,450
F
'Bolter
'Bolter
F Offline
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,450
381.5 ton I run 40 pound all around in my 51 6400 98 inch wheelbase pickup 11,000 miles since heavy duty 4-link with 7/8 inch heim joints was built and installed at home. It's the best use of an outdated farm truck I know of,little boys really go for it and bigger ones often say "hows that ride" Well on smooth road is fine chuck holes and uneven road still have bump steer. AD trucks are not interstate mobiles !!


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