The Ford Barn

joltesvig · 11-14-2014, 03:15 PM

My 31 Coupe has the 16 inch wheels and I'm considering buying new tires for it.
Can anyone tell me if replacing the old bias ply tires with radial tires will improve the ride?
A set of radials will be about $120 more than the bias ones I think.
Are they worth it?
What do you think?

quickchange · 11-14-2014, 04:23 PM

Yes on our roads which are not as smooth as yours , 205 x 80 x 8ply, Some toyota , nissen pickups around 2010-2012 had them , cockies here take them off & fit mud grips , the light wall us radial tyres on two of our inports could not keep them on the road , too soft in the walls , fitted the above & at 120 kph stable as a modern plus they are taller than 600x16 , just my experiance , in NZ

Marshall57 · 11-14-2014, 04:25 PM

I haven't run them on my Model A, but on my old 50's cars I was worried that they would ride differently.
I did use them and liked the smoother ride, especially when first moving; the bias tires had a memory and would have a flat spot for a while until they heated up.
Also the radials looked a little funny, like they needed air but that is the nature of the beast. If you want that tall "on the tread" look you will not be getting it.
Most likely safer and easier to replace on the road if you have trouble.
Just my humble opinion.

SSsssteamer · 11-15-2014, 02:24 AM

I purchase the 600 X 16 radials from Coker tire two years ago. They have the correct profile for a 600 X 16. They handle better. They stop better. The give better tire and gas mileage. Other than not being the correct tire size for the model A year of manufacture, it is a no brainer to switch to the radials.

Paul from Maine · 11-15-2014, 05:39 PM

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I got sick of the rough ride my 4.50 x 21 tires were giving me so I scavenged four 15" wheels off a wrecked old Postal Jeep, mounted four 225 R75 15 Goodyear Wranglers on them, bolted two to the rear with no modification and mounted new front cast iron drums on the front hubs with longer studs and 1/4 inch wheel spacers and mounted the other two on the front! The Town Sedan now rides like a Caddy, handles like a Porsche and stops on a dime! I am exaggerating a bit, but the difference was like night and day! And the tires only cost $77 a piece! I will never go back to bias ply!

11-14-2014, 03:15 PM	#1
joltesvig Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Carthage, NC Posts: 147	600R16 vs. bias ply tires My 31 Coupe has the 16 inch wheels and I'm considering buying new tires for it. Can anyone tell me if replacing the old bias ply tires with radial tires will improve the ride? A set of radials will be about $120 more than the bias ones I think. Are they worth it? What do you think? __________________ John the Model A Rookie from North Carolina

11-14-2014, 04:23 PM	#2
quickchange Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nelson. New Zealand Posts: 2,009	Re: 600R16 vs. bias ply tires Yes on our roads which are not as smooth as yours , 205 x 80 x 8ply, Some toyota , nissen pickups around 2010-2012 had them , cockies here take them off & fit mud grips , the light wall us radial tyres on two of our inports could not keep them on the road , too soft in the walls , fitted the above & at 120 kph stable as a modern plus they are taller than 600x16 , just my experiance , in NZ

11-14-2014, 04:25 PM	#3
Marshall57 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Elko Nevada Posts: 217	Re: 600R16 vs. bias ply tires I haven't run them on my Model A, but on my old 50's cars I was worried that they would ride differently. I did use them and liked the smoother ride, especially when first moving; the bias tires had a memory and would have a flat spot for a while until they heated up. Also the radials looked a little funny, like they needed air but that is the nature of the beast. If you want that tall "on the tread" look you will not be getting it. Most likely safer and easier to replace on the road if you have trouble. Just my humble opinion.

11-15-2014, 02:24 AM	#4
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: 600R16 vs. bias ply tires I purchase the 600 X 16 radials from Coker tire two years ago. They have the correct profile for a 600 X 16. They handle better. They stop better. The give better tire and gas mileage. Other than not being the correct tire size for the model A year of manufacture, it is a no brainer to switch to the radials.

11-15-2014, 05:39 PM	#5
Paul from Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oxford Hills, Maine Posts: 325	Re: 600R16 vs. bias ply tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I got sick of the rough ride my 4.50 x 21 tires were giving me so I scavenged four 15" wheels off a wrecked old Postal Jeep, mounted four 225 R75 15 Goodyear Wranglers on them, bolted two to the rear with no modification and mounted new front cast iron drums on the front hubs with longer studs and 1/4 inch wheel spacers and mounted the other two on the front! The Town Sedan now rides like a Caddy, handles like a Porsche and stops on a dime! I am exaggerating a bit, but the difference was like night and day! And the tires only cost $77 a piece! I will never go back to bias ply!