The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 700-18 Tire Consternation

Hi! I’m Bob. I am trying to cobble an old truck back together. Been lurking for a few months, first post though. I have a few questions about bias tires. I need new tires for my 1950 Chevy 1 ton. They are 700-18. New tires are tires are outrageous! It will cost me over 2 grand for 6 tires and tubes and mounting. That is about what I paid for the truck! So here are some questions I have᠁.
1. Is there a place that have some reasonable prices?
2. If not is there a place that has some used tires for older vehicles?
3. Is there a place that may sell retreads for this?
4. If not of the above are applicable is there other options available to me? I know there no 18” diameter tires that are almost 35” tall with a 7” tread width. Because of the drag link bar being so close I really can’t go much wider. Do you all just spring for the BIG money on tires tubes and mounting? I have a bit as I am going through getting the brakes functional but dang, this frustrating me. I would attach a pic but I’m not savvy enough to figure it out.

Thank you for all your help and recommendations!

Dentoro -- Looks like you figured out the photo attachment thing.

You're not the first person to face this issue with re-tiring a dually 1-ton. I'm pretty sure several of our gang (AmtrakJoe, Grigg come to mind) have faced this. Hopefully they'll see this and give you some guidance.

My AD 1-ton is the SRW pickup version so I can't help you much. Our wheels and tires are unique, as well, though. I just bit the bullet and bought new tires, tubes and flaps for my truck. I'm not a huge fan of second hand tires ...

If you don't mind, I'm going to move this thread over to the 1-ton forum where you can be among your own kind (and get better answers, hopefully .... Not that I'm calling the 1/2-ton guys a bunch of redneck riffraff or anything ... Heck, *we* might be the redneck riffraff ... I can never keep that straight ... WhatEVUR

Welcome to the 1-Tonners! Yes, we're a department of Stovebolt ... The MEN'S Department ...

Welcome Bob,
Just my opinion: "That is about what I paid for the truck!" Then you paid too little for the truck.

Bite the bullet and get you some proper new tubes and tires. You have a very desirable uncommon truck and you are not overpaying for these essential items.

Kent

I managed to find some 19.5” wheels with a 8x6.5 bolt pattern. I do not have them mounted yet. I’ll update with a pic when I get them on.

I'm in the same boat. What tire did you end up going with? Moving from bias to radial should help with the ride quality quite a bit, but I'm worried about smaller tires on bigger wheels (even though its only 1.5" difference) giving a harsher ride.

By the time you spring for nice 19.5 wheels and a set of tires, you'd probably be into it for about as much money as a set of original tires but it would handle and ride better. And you might like the look of the alloy wheels. Alcoa makes a nice looking set but they aren't cheap. Oh, now I see you found some 19.5 wheels that's great. Now for some tall radial tires.

I went the 19.5 route on my 3800 and the only thing I don't like is the ride. The tires I have are 14 ply and the least I have seen is 12 ply. I don't haul that much and seldom pull a trailer with the truck so 14 ply tires are overkill but 8 or 10 plys don't exist, or at least I haven't found any.

Good Morning, The 18's are available through Coker and the antique tire route. I have mixed emotion and have to believe the date codes you will get off Coker will be "older" as this is such an unpopular tire size.

I imagine there are companies out there to re-tread the 18's but I have found sidewall quality to be the limiting factor. You'll need a good "starter set".


I went the route of 19.5's and have not looked back. There are many manufacturers out there with different levels of quality - mine are Chinese.......

I can't opine on "ride quality" as I hover at 65 MPH top speed with the 4:11 rear conversion only not to strain my engine though I am sure it could handle it all day long (1962 full pressure 261). I think there are some pictures of my "build" through my signature -

Joe

19.5's They are pricey but you'll probably never wear them out!

That is a nice looking truck!

Looks like the 19.5s are the way to go! Look great, and any tire shop can sell and service the modern tubeless radials that also ride, steer, and handle a whole lot better.