Hot Rods HIGHBOY REAR TIRE SIZES

I have a 32 Ford roadster that I will run as a highboy. I have 16" x 7" rear steel wheels. I plan on running a radial tire and would like it to be at least 9" wide and 30 to 31" tall. I have searched for which tires people are running but all threads are from 2017 back . Can anyone help with what they are presently using?

 

I'm running 750-16 Excelsior radials on the rear of 2 of my highboys tall but not real wide.

 

My avatar runs 235/85-R16s and are just a little bit under 31.5” tall inflated won 4.5” 40 Ford rims tubeless with a 46 banjo rear. My 32 5-window rinds the same tire on 16” Int Harvester rims which I believe are 5” wide again tubeless on a Canadian Maverick 9” rear (narrower than the 8” American counterpart). Found the avatar set used at Carlisle and the 5-window set from tire rack.com a Durvais tire I think it’s spelled …..

 

Traditional high boy tire sizes haven't changed for many years. For 16" wheels rear size 7:60x16 and front 5:25x16 bias Firestones. You can find radial tires, like Excelsors, in the similar sizes. My '32 Roadster runs bias ply tires in the stated sizes.

 

What size fronts are you running. Frank

 

I’ve tried radials on my roadster over the past few years and only way to go.

 

Great examples of what looks right there.
I have to say that the blue Cabriolet that Tom T showed in his first photo says tons though. Perfectly centered in the opening with an even gap all the way around. No matter what size tire that is an absolute if you want it to look right.

 

I run 235 85 16's on all mine

 

Excelsior radials

 

Haven't bought the tires yet. I have 40 Ford 16" rims with 6:00 X16 RO

I have 40 Ford rims and 6:00 x 16 rollers presently, but am thinking 5:50 x 16's.

 

This is the look I like. At the present time the rear (59 Ford with 68 3rd member) is not in, but that is next. I want to get it rolling around with the tires I will use. Got worried that some sizes are going away.

 

Be aware that most if not all "big" radials from your local tire store will be LT(light truck) tires which are 10 ply. Very stiff and heavy...the 235/85 size I run on my dually.

 

You are correct, but if ya only run 18/20 lbs in em they ride great.

 

I like the rake and proportions on that. What size are you running on the front?

 

Hey @RockyMtnWay,
Where did you buy your Diamondbacks? I'm also in Calgary and am looking for some for the Model A roadster.

 

Direct from dbtires @ 1-888-922-1642.

 

Same here.

John

 

Most are running 16s on rear. why? Add to rake? taller tire ? tradition? i have been told that 15s are getting hard to find.

 

I had trouble finding 235/70/15s with blackwalls that weren't well over a year old. My local tire store just got me a pair made this year yesterday. My tire guy said 15s are on the way out.

 

Thanks to everyone who responded. Very usefull.

 

because pre 1949 Ford wheels that 99% of us run are 16”

 

I'll check in to represent the 1% not running 16". The 8.20-15 still does it for me. Fits the natural body line of the '32 rear wheel well radius pretty close and maintains a nice sidewall to wheel diameter look.

 

Some great looking rods posted.
Tire size,rear match up*= Hotrod builders ,at least in the 1950s an early 60s, were not as goofed up as todays ideas, with mismatched an misread old photos of what was ,and was not !

Hot rod builders like myself{I build rods late 50s an in too the early 60s an on.=So I know what was real,an many others,all were trying for speed* an cool looks. So lets talk speed*,big V8.
If the rod has a flathead V8>What every one tried to do was get best bit/grip they could at the time> the tires that were around to get ,after WW2 got wider=more bit/grip for strong take off. < What that should tell you is the rear tire on your hot rod should fit/match the year your rod is styled for! If you have flathead v8 power( 1945 to about 50 style) rear tire should match that,for about the widest tire being sold at the time your rods engine n style looks like!! Flathead V8's look best with no wider then about 5 to max of 6in. tread on road. If rod style is before WW2,pre that should be around 4 in. with Flathead V8.
Overhead V8 power,tire should be those tires that were being sold when OHV -V8 your using should kind of match ,tires became wider from 1950 up. Tread width of rear tires should match your power plant an time style.

Nothing looks more off**,style wise, then a rod with the wrong width rear tread tires,too the power plant it has!
Like seeing rear tires under about 5 in. wide tread with Overhead V8{ with rod built like 1950s or 60s hotrod ! an up !
The fat treads ( width of 8in an up around 60s an on kept growing.
Tires got wider an wider every year,that started being made were great grip,but belong on rods of those years ,style wise,not on older style builds.
I had some on my own 28A hot rod{ Ford Thunderbird Y-block OHV V8 power},I thought were trick stuff in 1961,monster width of 6-1/2 in tread< biggest I could find at the time. By 63 ,I had some 7in. wide tread on rear.

 

That does fit well!!!!

 

It does look good. And, you have properly mounted tail pipes.

 

If you don’t mind me asking. Is the wheel well opening on a 32 the same size as a 30/31 A ? I’m going through the same thing now and really like what everyone has posted. I have also noticed that some of the suppliers of steel wheels don’t offer 16” although I haven’t done a ton of research yet.