The Ford Barn

Garwood · 09-13-2023, 01:37 PM

I have stock rims and tires but want to switch to radials. I also love the look of the bigger hub cap so might as well change both.

I'm thinking about getting '32 18" or the '33-'34 with the 17" but what would be the less expensive tire?

Would '35 16" work or would that be too much white wall? I think there are more choices for tires for the 16".

I'm going to Gilmore Model A meeting and swap this weeking so hoping I can get some info before I find something and buying them without knowing more.

Thanks . . .

ronn · 09-13-2023, 01:53 PM

if youre going larger, just buy the 16s.

as discussed before, 17 tires are hard to come by. 18s, why bother? might as well stay stock.

Garwood · 09-13-2023, 01:57 PM

That makes sense. I've seen 16" rims cheaper as well. Plus, it sure does make them easier to spot due to the valve stem location.

springerpete · 09-15-2023, 12:07 PM

You will get many, many opinions at Gilmore. You will also see hundreds of Model A's and should be able to pick a wheel size that looks good to you, tires too.

JayJay · 09-15-2023, 07:23 PM

Several folks in my club have 16" whitewalls on their Model As, and I am going that way for the '30 town Sedan I'm building. Yes, the really wide whites are noticeable, but I don't think excessive. The 16" are considerably less expensive on the swap meet market than the 17", likely because there are more of them around.

30Murray · 09-15-2023, 11:42 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The only problem with 16" rims is finding tires that are narrow and tall enough to fit the 4" wide rims, look good and fit your budget. You can go modern radials for lower cost but very limited selection that fit, or classic bias look (Coker) for $$$$. I would suggest researching Tire Rack for modern radials and Coker or similar for classic to first see what's available and fit your budget. I ended up getting some 16" rims widened to fit modern radials with similar diameter to stock Model A.

09-13-2023, 01:37 PM	#1
Garwood Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 84	Recommendation for rim / tire combo I have stock rims and tires but want to switch to radials. I also love the look of the bigger hub cap so might as well change both. I'm thinking about getting '32 18" or the '33-'34 with the 17" but what would be the less expensive tire? Would '35 16" work or would that be too much white wall? I think there are more choices for tires for the 16". I'm going to Gilmore Model A meeting and swap this weeking so hoping I can get some info before I find something and buying them without knowing more. Thanks . . . __________________

09-13-2023, 01:53 PM	#2
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,647	Re: Recommendation for rim / tire combo if youre going larger, just buy the 16s. as discussed before, 17 tires are hard to come by. 18s, why bother? might as well stay stock.

09-13-2023, 01:57 PM	#3
Garwood Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 84	Re: Recommendation for rim / tire combo That makes sense. I've seen 16" rims cheaper as well. Plus, it sure does make them easier to spot due to the valve stem location. __________________

09-15-2023, 12:07 PM	#4
springerpete Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Maine Posts: 681	Re: Recommendation for rim / tire combo You will get many, many opinions at Gilmore. You will also see hundreds of Model A's and should be able to pick a wheel size that looks good to you, tires too.

09-15-2023, 07:23 PM	#5
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,104	Re: Recommendation for rim / tire combo Several folks in my club have 16" whitewalls on their Model As, and I am going that way for the '30 town Sedan I'm building. Yes, the really wide whites are noticeable, but I don't think excessive. The 16" are considerably less expensive on the swap meet market than the 17", likely because there are more of them around. __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan It isn't a defect, it's a feature!

09-15-2023, 11:42 PM	#6
30Murray Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vancouver B.C. Posts: 137	Re: Recommendation for rim / tire combo Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The only problem with 16" rims is finding tires that are narrow and tall enough to fit the 4" wide rims, look good and fit your budget. You can go modern radials for lower cost but very limited selection that fit, or classic bias look (Coker) for $$$$. I would suggest researching Tire Rack for modern radials and Coker or similar for classic to first see what's available and fit your budget. I ended up getting some 16" rims widened to fit modern radials with similar diameter to stock Model A.