Tire Clearance | Dropped 37 Ford Pickup

[JLB3]

I posted this over on the Hamb, but haven’t gotten any replies yet. Perhaps the Ford Barners can help!

I hoping to find out what radial size tire and wheel width I should use on the front of my lowered 37 pickup. Below is my setup.
Chassis: 37 Ford pickup with Chassis Engineering 4” drop axle and spring
Front Wheels: 4.5” Kelsey Hayes Artillery

My question is…what is the largest size radial tire I can use up front while maintaining enough fender clearance? I believe 215’s will be too big, but would a 195/80/R16, 205/65/R16, or 205/55/R16 work? If I use the 195 or 205 tires, will I need a 5.5” wide wheel up front?

[TJ]

The 4.5" wheel should handle the 195/80 tire just fine.

[Talkwrench]

What do you have now ? Go online find tyre diameters and go from there. 195 sounds about right. Ive been trying to work it out too but I've been looking into 15" .

[JLB3]

Before I tore my truck down, I had 205/70R15's at stock ride height. I am putting a drop axle under it and can't mach anything up since the truck is down to the bare frame. Given this, I am searching for tire sizes that others have used without clearance issues etc..

I did find out that diamondback is making some bias ply look-alikes that will be called the "auburn". They wont be out til December but they will have a 525-16 which should have a small enough diameter.

[jack in san diego]

Since you are just in bare frame stage, I would use the old tires until you get it all together with fenders etc., then you can see how much clearance you have with old tires, I would guess you will have to go down a couple sizes to make clearance, but maybe not. Just wait a while, and good luck with your project. Jack

[TJ]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by jack in san diego

Since you are just in bare frame stage, I would use the old tires until you get it all together with fenders etc., then you can see how much clearance you have with old tires, I would guess you will have to go down a couple sizes to make clearance, but maybe not. Just wait a while, and good luck with your project. Jack

I didn't realize you truck was torn down to the frame. Jack gives good advice. Tires should be the last item to buy after the truck is assembled with all the weight on the chassis. You'll then know your ride height.

[Joe/Ct]

I do not have a '37 pickup, but I can tell you what works on our '39 coupe. We have a 4" dropped front axle and have the following tire combinations: Rear are L78-15 while front are 5.60-15 (Volkswagen) tires.

[my4dv8]

All I can say is don't go too wide or to low profile with the original steering box. You need side wall on the tyre. Many moons ago , before we knew better we put low profile ( no not today's O rings) probably something like 195 x 50 tyres on an early V8 with original I beam and steering , way too heavy when parking and gave the box mounts and frame hell too.