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Old 10-21-2020, 09:20 PM   #1
DBSHELTON
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Default 16" Wheels

I am thinking about putting 16" wheels and tires on one of my Model A's. Does anyone regret going with the 16" wheels instead of 19" or 21"? Any drawbacks?
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Old 10-21-2020, 09:42 PM   #2
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

I've tossed that idea around also, supposed to be a smother ride with "better?" tires.
I'll be following
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Old 10-21-2020, 09:51 PM   #3
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

I personally like the look of an original Model A.
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Old 10-21-2020, 10:33 PM   #4
daveymc29
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

I have two with 600 X 16's. No regrets so far. 30 + yrs.
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Old 10-21-2020, 10:47 PM   #5
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

Mine came with cutdown original wheels and used 600X16s. I traded out to 19s and like the looks better now. My avatar shows the cutdown wheels.
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Old 10-22-2020, 12:33 AM   #6
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

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I think it depends on what you're looking for. Better ride? Perhaps. Better tire options? Probably. Looks? That's a personal thing.

I swapped out the stock wheels/tires on my Model A coupe for '35 wires (16-inch) and used 6.00x16 and 7.00x16 Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials (sold by Coker) and like them quite a lot. Seems to have reduced sidewall flex quite a lot and ride much nicer. But, the aesthetic is definitely more Pre-War hot rod, which is what I was after, so, your results may vary...
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Old 10-22-2020, 05:40 AM   #7
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

really comes down to looks. 90% of the people out there dont know the difference.
most on this board have a discerning eye.


personally I only like the looks of stock wheels. if your building a 1940s hot rod, then yes, the 16s look great.
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Old 10-22-2020, 06:58 AM   #8
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

My Tudor came in 16's the top speed was 50 mph down hill with a tail wind! 19's on her now top speed 65 + but that comparing apples to oranges. With the 16's on her it seamed like she had 4.11 gears now it's feels the normal 3.78 just saying
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Old 10-22-2020, 07:44 AM   #9
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

Much better ride, stops on the dime.
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Old 10-22-2020, 08:35 AM   #10
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

I collected 18", 17" & 16" V8 wheels and in my opinion, the 18" 1932 wheels give a smooth ride and look better than the others.
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File Type: jpg Bidonde's Coupe w 18 Inch Wheels 492kb.jpg (141.5 KB, 213 views)
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Old 10-22-2020, 08:58 AM   #11
AL in NY
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

I just put the 16" wheels on in August and I love the better handling and smoother ride. I went with tubeless 225/75R16 radials and I added Tire Pressure Sensors. The tires have the same diameter as the 19" Model A tires, so there's no speedometer error. And they don't look oversized for the 5" wide rim. Everyone in my club likes the way my truck looks with the new tires. One of the reasons I went to 16" tires was to get rid of the tubes and also get a radial tire. I bought the Westlake tire at Walmart's for $67.00 each and run the tire pressure at 27 lbs. Another advantage to the wider tires, with more rubber on the road, your brakes are more effective.
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Old 10-22-2020, 10:11 PM   #12
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

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Originally Posted by AL in NY View Post
I just put the 16" wheels on in August and I love the better handling and smoother ride. I went with tubeless 225/75R16 radials and I added Tire Pressure Sensors. The tires have the same diameter as the 19" Model A tires, so there's no speedometer error. And they don't look oversized for the 5" wide rim. Everyone in my club likes the way my truck looks with the new tires. One of the reasons I went to 16" tires was to get rid of the tubes and also get a radial tire. I bought the Westlake tire at Walmart's for $67.00 each and run the tire pressure at 27 lbs. Another advantage to the wider tires, with more rubber on the road, your brakes are more effective.
Al did you have any trouble with the bead seal, I have heard that can present a problem
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Old 10-23-2020, 02:08 PM   #13
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

PalAL, A couple of my rims were badly pitted and after powder coating they were still pretty rough, but no problems with the bead sealing.
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Old 10-23-2020, 07:53 PM   #14
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Smile Re: 16" Wheels

I recently bought a Victoria that had the 16” wheels on it. Attached is a picture of the car with the wheels....Last week I was able to buy a set of 19” wheels and tires for it....
For me the looks of the car with the 19’s is much better. The ride of the 16’s is better, the 16’s are not affected by the rough roads as much as the 19’s are the 19’s are easier to steer.
For me I will stay with the 19” wheels...If anyone near the Phoenix area wants to buy a set of really nice Red powder coated wheels I know where they can find some.
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File Type: jpg A20B9CD3-26C8-4B95-BDAF-5A667B13A1C6.jpg (70.3 KB, 180 views)
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Old 10-25-2020, 02:55 PM   #15
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by AL in NY View Post
I just put the 16" wheels on in August and I love the better handling and smoother ride. I went with tubeless 225/75R16 radials and I added Tire Pressure Sensors. The tires have the same diameter as the 19" Model A tires, so there's no speedometer error. And they don't look oversized for the 5" wide rim. Everyone in my club likes the way my truck looks with the new tires. One of the reasons I went to 16" tires was to get rid of the tubes and also get a radial tire. I bought the Westlake tire at Walmart's for $67.00 each and run the tire pressure at 27 lbs. Another advantage to the wider tires, with more rubber on the road, your brakes are more effective.
What’s the size of those 16” tires?
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Old 10-25-2020, 07:09 PM   #16
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

Diameter of 225/75R16 tires is 29.3 inches.
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Old 10-22-2020, 11:38 PM   #17
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
I collected 18", 17" & 16" V8 wheels and in my opinion, the 18" 1932 wheels give a smooth ride and look better than the others.
I wish any of those sizes were available here. How does the rim width on 18" and 17" wheels compare to the 19"?
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Old 10-22-2020, 11:44 PM   #18
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
I collected 18", 17" & 16" V8 wheels and in my opinion, the 18" 1932 wheels give a smooth ride and look better than the others.
Bob, What size are the tires in your first picture? They look bigger than the normal 4.75/5.00-19. I like them.
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Old 10-22-2020, 11:33 PM   #19
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

My '31 half ton looks kinda funny with small,'35 Ford wires on it. That's what was on it when it came out of long storage, as it was a brush painted, fixed up WW-ll era workhorse. I was told 19" tires were virtually non-existent during the war, so you would change over to '35 wires then maybe find some tires that size. I had to decide, 10 years ago, so I got new Goodyear All Weather Diamond Treads for it and have been very happy with them, Braking may be a tad better, I can't see too much difference in drive-ability difference from 19" rims on other A's I've had and driven. For looks, I agree with Bob Bidonde and his '32 rims or maybe go for '33 rims. My speedo gearing was never changed, so I'm going about 3-4 MPH slower than speedo shows. My spare is a "baloney skin" original Ford 19" rim & tire that came with the truck, probably a factory "Firestone" tire.
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Old 10-23-2020, 01:39 AM   #20
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Default Re: 16" Wheels

I just had to try the 16 inch with Firestone white walls after one season I went back to my original 19 inch with Diamond tread. I didn't care for the look.
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