Hello all, I know tires and wheels are a very popular topic on here and before I get blasted, I have searched through the threads and cannot find the answer. I have a stock 51 Ford F1, I am trying to figure out how wide of a tire I can run in the front of the truck before I run into issues such as rubbing. I am looking at 8" X 15" wheels with little to zero offset and possibly 225/75/15 but I have no way of telling if it will cause me headaches. Can anyone shed some light on this? p.s I am planning on running 8" X 15" in the rear as well with 235/75/15's.
Why 8 inch wide wheels? I might could understand a wider ( reverse) on the rears but not on the fronts. If using the stock suspension, a wide low profile tire works against you. 1960s-70s factory steel wheels measure 6.5. I would go no bigger than 15x7. Earlier than 1966 Ford wheels were narrower 5.5 or so. In 1951 narower still. Rubbing is not really an issue..... Inability to steer easily is. A big fat Wide low profile will for lack of a better term will " look dumb" on a 51 F 1. Remember this is a traditional sight. The 225s can work out but not on a 8 inch wheel.
I have run 225s on 60s steel wheel for the fronts. I much prefer P235s all around on 1960s factory sized steel wheels. My next set will be bias.....G78s if I remember correctly.
Thanks for the response F-ONE! So you are saying that the 225/75/15 on the front will work, but id be better off using a 15x7 wheel in the front instead of a 15x8? I chose a 15x8 wheel and 235s in the rear because I wanted to get as wide as I could back there to get as much grip as possible for braking and take off. I live in an area where sudden stops and take offs are part of everyday driving. I'm also looking to get a nice white wall look in the end.
My 52 uses a 3 inch dropped axle with stock width wheels. 7.50 x16 rear and 6.00x16 front. All clears and has a little rake to it.
Wow, this is beautiful, great looking truck! Thank you for the info. Did you have to make steering modifications to accept the dropped axle?
3” dropped axle on stock springs, posies superslides in the back with a 2” drop. 6.00x16 front 7.50x16 rear. Original 52 wheels power coated black.
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