Hot rod radial rear tires

[Init1]

Has anyone found a blackwall radial tire tall enough for the rear of hot rods?
I'm looking for something over 30" and under
80$ a tire.
The tallest I have found are 4 ply radials 235 75r 15's that are 29". And all are under $80.
Coker's are so over the top expensive I won't do it.
And trailer tires are all 8 ply and way too stiff.

There has gotta be a way....

[cmbrucew]

Do you have radials on the front? About 40 years ago you could not run them on the rear only.
Bruce

[Init1]

Bruce...
Trying a set of 165r 15 Firestone F560's on the front. They are 25" in diameter.

[Mart]

A 225 80 15 is taller but you might have a problem sourcing some. I have a pair on the back of my 41pu. You used to be able to get "Truck Radials" back in the day do they still make them? You would look a bit 80's though.

Mart.

[A bones]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Do you have radials on the front? About 40 years ago you could not run them on the rear only.
Bruce

In 1969 I read in an Industry newsletter that a bias ply tire was not capable of following ( in extreme driving ) the path that a radial tire could take. The statement was based on test track research.

It went on to say that if a radial was to follow a bias ply steer tire there was NO problem. The bias steer tire could not create vector forces that the radial could not handle. Where as the radial steer could out-maneuver a trailing bias ply, causing a loss of control.

I feel compelled to share that in 1993, while running some used rear tires that I had pulled from a large pile ( they had nice tread ) I proved this research myself. The tread had the look of a radial, and I had forgotten the aforementioned article.

The result was the loss of the vehicle, and a back injury that plagues me today. Luckily, the incident did not end my life, as it did kill the vehicle.

Thanks for listening. To clarify my emotions:
Bias ply Sunday cruises, back roads, parades, fair weather. As long as the drive in the spirit of sixty or more years ago.
Bias front radial rear, OK but still need to drive like a gentleman.
Radial front bias rear, never, never.
Radial all 'round, way to go.

[SofaKing]

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Originally Posted by Init1

The tallest I have found are 4 ply radials 235 75r 15's that are 29". And all are under $80.

Where did you find 29" tall radials at under $80 each?

[prpmmp]

I know you said under $80.00 but American Classic have a 8.20-15 Radial that is 29 inches high and looks like a bias ply(way more than $80.00 but are excellent looking and perform great! You can get them from summit (free shipping) Pete

[TagMan]

I don't think I'd want to drive a car with $80 tires, thank you.

[flatford8]

I run $70-$80 tires all the time. Run them for years with proper care. I don't think you can completely judge a product on the price alone......Mark

[Paul Bennett]

My last set of 4 for my newish Buick daily driver was $320 installed. It may account for my 28mpg in a 6 pass sedan. Let me see ... $320 divided by 4 ... Oh yes, got quote of $320 for Ranger tires. My mindset is also at a doable $80.

[Mart]

If you have to mix em, radials on the rear is acceptable.

This ad ran on UK TV back in the day.

https://youtu.be/c23MFIKiVdE

Mart.

[PeteVS]

Back when I drove my Corvette 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, I had Pirelli radials on it. During the winter, I threw a pair of Firestone bias Town and Countries behind the seat. Fortunately, I never had to put them on the car. With Posi and good weight distribution, the car was great in the snow.

[Jakno]

Check these radial tires. SUMITOMO Encounter HT235/75 R16 $91 ea. Height 29.8".

I have a pair on the rear of my 35 pickup. They are quiet and a nice ride

[SofaKing]

Originally Posted by Jakno

Check these radial tires. SUMITOMO Encounter HT235/75 R16 $91 ea. Height 29.8".

I have a pair on the rear of my 35 pickup. They are quiet and a nice ride

How wide are your wheels? I have artillery wheels and I recall they are about 4-4.5" wide, the 235/75 R16 is showing wheel width of 6-8". Can you post a photo of how they look?

[40 FourDrDlx]

Originally Posted by prpmmp

I know you said under $80.00 but American Classic have a 8.20-15 Radial that is 29 inches high and looks like a bias ply(way more than $80.00 but are excellent looking and perform great! You can get them from summit (free shipping) Pete

Pete, what wheels are you running?

[prpmmp]

Originally Posted by 40 FourDrDlx

Pete, what wheels are you running?

Hey! The front wheels are Wheel Vintiques 15 x 5- 2.75 backspace. 5 on 5,5.5 lug pattern with 560r-15 American Classics Radial Bias Ply look. The back are Wheel Vintiques 15 x 7 - 3.75 backspace, 5 on 5,5.5 lug pattern with 820r-15 American Classics Radial Bias Ply look. The car drives like a dream!! Pete

[TJ]

On the rear of my 41 pickup I have 265X75X15 radials from Diamondback. They are 30 1/2' tall. Since Diamondback uses blackwall casings for their whitewalls they have a source. I doubt you will find a tire this size for under $80. Check with the major suppliers such as Tire Rack, etc.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

I do not know if you are only looking 15" or are willing to move up to 16" - if you can do 16", on my avatar I run a used set of Uniroyal 235/85-R16 - @ almost 32" tall on wide 5, 36-39 rims 4-4.5" wide @ 30 lbs of tire pressure. I used bead sealer, I run them tubeless, and I've gone probably 16-18k miles on them with long, hard trips to LA returning by way of Pueblo, CO, went to Austin, TX, and another to upstate NY, sometimes running 85+ mph for an hour or more at times. No problems to date

[CaliforniaBorn36]

See other post "Wide Whites" they mention a company that makes white wall radials in Sacramento California, by vulcanizing the white wall to new tires. Maybe they would have something that would work or you could reach out to them. Their prices are not $80, but a lot better then the other vendors. I have not tried, used, bought or seen these tires...someone else with experience might provide some info on experience going this route.

http://www.callitw.com/

[Jakno]

Originally Posted by SofaKing

How wide are your wheels? I have artillery wheels and I recall they are about 4-4.5" wide, the 235/75 R16 is showing wheel width of 6-8". Can you post a photo of how they look?

Sofa , my wheels are stock 35 4.5 " wire wheels. The tires are tubeless. I have only had them on for a month and don't stray far from home.