The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun One Ton Tires

I've read alot of threads about tires, and I think I'm going to stick with the original wheels and tires on my old 1950 1-ton. Last question I have is whether switching from a 7.50-17 to a 7.00-17 will have a significant impact on anything.

On inspection I noticed that three of mine are 7.50, the other is 7.0 and the height (ground to top of tire) is significantly lower, which I like. The selection of tires is not any greater,so its not a matter of availability.

Any advice?

Thanks - Bruce

I think you have answered your own question here . The difference in size is going to effect the gearing and subsequent road speed ,

Try this tyre calculator to see the differences

http://www.onlineconversion.com/bigger_tires.htm

Now I'm really getting confused. So,a 7.50-17 is a tire that:

7.50" width (sitting on the ground, measured horizontally one side to the other at widest point)

fits a 17" wheel.

So a 7.00-17 tire should be a tire that:

7.00" width (half inch narrower than the 7.5")

fits a 17" wheel.

I would think that the height would be the same on each tire. Or does the tire height vary depending upon its width? Most of the literature I see on bias ply tires don't reference the tire's heigth, just its width and rim size.

Am I mis-interpreting the numbers?

Thx Bruce

I know that in the metric measurements, the width does affect the height.

Wider tires are usually if not always taller on these old trucks.

Why not stick with a 750x17 Power king offers a nice bias ply in that size.

You have an interesting conundrum.
As already mentioned the 7.00x17 Tire will be shorter because it has a skinnier tube resulting in a shorter tire. Tubes don't really allow for different aspect ratios.
But I'd be more concerned about the odd tire. Mine came with 7.50x17 singles in the rear and 7.00x17 in the front, which I kind of liked. I eventually converted to tubeless (31" tall), but I think you should match tires across the axle where possible.

Be sure the odd size tire is not on the back axle. It will over work the spider gears in the rear end.

well, I went with STA 7.50 x 17 tires with a hiway tread all the way around, we'll see how they ride as soon as the snow clears here in the midwest. I had alot of trouble finding anything in a 17 inch, and even more trouble finding anything with an off-road tread that would have looked cool in the rear. Tornel makes one, but its a bit heavier than I liked.

Since I doubt that the old gal will ever see any rough farm work I think these hiway tires will satisfy the need, but I would have liked to find something that looked a little tougher - after all it is a one-ton. I'm going to keep searching....

Whiskerbruce- I did some online surfing myself for 7.50x17 tires. Seems as though the STA and Tornels you found are about it for that size. everything else requires a wider rim. Even Interco (Super Swamper maker) has nothing that narrow.

I have found a radial LT235/80/17, it requires a 6" minimum rim, just food for thought. There's a number of different companies that make them.

My 1948 GMC 253 one ton has 17 inch rims on the front w/7.50x17 tires and 18 inch duals on the rear, 7.00x18 tires. I had no problem finding bias ply tires. Mine came from Les Schwab...

My tires are 7.00-18 and I found 6 at Lucas Tires in Long Beach. All are expensive, but you need to do what you need to do

Tires 195 ea
tubes 30 ea
flaps 20 ea

It stats adding up when you get 6!

Now I have 5 old ones to get rid of!

Well... I broke down and got the STAs. At first the additional height and the narrow girth bothered me, but now they're kind of growing on me. Can't wait until I get the cab and box back onto the frame and I can see just how odd this duck really looks. Found 'em at a truck tire shop on the outskirts of the city. The owner said he always keeps a set of four on hand as every couple of years some old farmer will wander in looking for a tire or four. Ended up paying about the same price as pdlightning, guess its hard to find a bargain when there's only a couple of options out there.

Just to add a new line to this thread.....
I just scored a set of 7.50-17 highway tread tires, brand new off evilbay with free shipping.
We,ll see what they are all about when they get here.
Estimate is Tues/Wed next week.
regards,
steve sr.

Post some pix when they come in Steve, curious to see what you've found.

Thx - Bruce

Bruce,
Came out of Pittsburgh area.
They were del. by fedex at about noon Wed.
Wish I knew how to put pics on the confuser.
Gotta wait for my daughter or son to show how.
They are a NEW set of Power King brand load range D,
750/17 tube type bias plies Highway tread.
Uh,Oh,Looks like P R C on the Manu Stamp.
Looks like the STA,s pattern, if that helps.
regards,steve sr.
Try this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130846542075

Steve, Great find, and a great price. Those are similar to the tires I have on my '38 1 ton. Mine don't have Sunstone on them. I found them to not be round after installing them.

I had them trued and balanced. It made a world of difference how they roll down the road.

Wayne,Thanks,Due Diligence.
Now on to Tubes+Flaps.
regards,steve sr.

Wanted to add another question to this thread, instead of creating a new one with the same topic.

I have 7.00x17 on the front, and 17.5x17 on the back. One of the back rims is was sitting in the ground before I bought the truck and is rusted out enough that I no longer trust it.

I have been looking around for new rims and was wondering is anyone has had luck with a 16" rim having enough clearance. All of the measurements I have done says it will fit, but I do not have an exact model of the wheel.

Here is the wheel I was thinking about:

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-432-109292t.aspx

Is there any problem going with a trailer wheel? (going with a light truck tire) I figure the the load modern trailers see are going to be a lot higher than what my old truck will be able to do.

There's no substitution for actually trying a wheel to see if it fits.

If the wheel is for trailer use ONLY then I personally would be hesitant to use it on a truck, having a wheel fail is no fun. I have heard of some using them without troubles but you're obviously on your own if anything happens.

I've run 16" multi piece weels on my 52 1 ton pickup and they fit just fine, not sure if the drop center of a 16" tubeless will fit over the rear drums?

If you can find some 8 lug single 19.5" wheels they are the way to go for these old one tons.

Grigg

Any advice on where to find wheels that fit the bill? Most of the ones I find are for a dually, or don't fit the style I am looking for.

If looking for single wheel 19.5" junkyards are your best bet.

I was looking to replace all four.

Another 1 ton owner helped me out with some wheels that he purchased, fit the bill for what I am looking for. This should be a closed case in the next week... Now for the interior/motor/rust issues.

Could you share the vendor and details?

The brand is Unique Wheel, model 297.

Dave51Chev has some photos posted:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=918346#Post918346

4th post down I think.

Link to Wheel Vintiques - they sell an 8 lug rim for these trucks. The rim is called "82 Series" with 4" rear spacing for the 16 x 7 or 8" and a 5" rear spacing for the 16x10" wheel.

http://www.wheelvintiques.com/view-catalog

Go to page 40.

O K Boy,s
To add another tidbit.
Said I was looking for tubes and flaps.
Says there are 2 sets of 5 left.
I think its a Great Deal.
With Free Shipping!
regards,
steve sr.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280359620014