20 inch truck tires

[68HILLBILLY]

THE 37 1 1/2 ton ford I am thinking of buying has 20x 750 10ply tires on it , they are very old and cracked , anyone know of a good tire I can put on this truck for a reasonable cost?

[Barlea]

Check with Lucas Tire, I put 7 of their 600/20 6 ply rated truck tires on my '35 and am totally pleased with them. Shipped from California to Alberta with liners and tubes for under 2 large and they look right with old type tread pattern, they got the molds from France and have Lucas on the sidewall. 6:50/20 would work well too. ..B.

[47COE]

Find a local full service tire store that has truck and tractor tires and see what they have. They probably wouldn't have any in stock, but could get a set in a few days.

That's what I did: 750x20 on the front and four 825x20 on the back.

The old tires were at least 40 years old and were very cracked. I hauled some really heavy loads for nearly 30 years with those tires with never a problem. But that was no more than 500 miles per year.

Put new tires on about 10 years ago because I figured I'd pushed my luck far enough.

Tom

[Bob C]

The Service Bulletins show 6.00 X 20 front and 32 X 6 rear as standard equipment and
6.50 X 20 and 7.00 X 20 optional at extra cost.

Bob

[COE Dan]

According to the green chassis parts book, the following wheels were available for 1937 trucks:

BB-1015-D: 20"x5"
or
BB-1015-E: 20"x6"

1938 and later trucks had 20"x7" wheels available for use with 7.00x20, 7.50x20, or 8.25x20 tires. Later wheels have same bolt pattern and may be interchangeable.

The chassis parts book doesn't specify the tire size for the 37 and earlier wheels but it may be safe to assume that 20"x5" or 20"x6" wheels take the smaller tires (6.00x20 or 6.50x20). When selecting your tires, make sure they match the wheel size.

COE Dan

[68HILLBILLY]

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so far no good luck on finding reasonable truck tires. tires on the truck hold air but are very very old ,I am guessing 40-50 yrs by design of tire. I was also told by a local truck tire store that they can't change them because of the old 2 piece rim. Anybody have any ideas about what interchanges with a 1937 ford 1 1/2 ton rim that is more modern but still looks somewhat old?? ideas? personal experience? can't really justify paying 1200-1400 for a set of tires for an old truck. might just have to pass on it .

[Barlea]

You should probably buy a new truck, they already have new tires. ..B.

[Yoyodyne]

Try Miller Tire - http://www.millertire.com/categories...e-truck-tires/

[truckdog62563]

Something you need to understand, the measurements cited in the old literature is based on the measurement standard that was in place at the time. The National Wheel and Rim Association (NWRA) standard back then was to measure rim width across the tops of the rim lips, thus 5", 6", and 7". In the 1940s the NWRA changed their standard to measure down inside the rim across the inner base. What that means, a 5" under the old system is today a 3.75". A 6" under the old system is today a 4.33". A 7" is today a 5". In 1937 the likely rim widths would have been the 3.75" or 4.33" in most instances. Any of the vintage dealers should have your tires, just a matter of price. Universal Tire, Lucas Tire, M. E. Miller, and Coker are the most likely to have you covered. Stu

[55 dude]

Be safe and don't drive on them! The attached picture happened at 70mph 2 weeks ago and the tire basically evaporated off the rim. No fun to change in 100 degree temp along the freeway.

[mainiac239]

just last summa i bought 4 new 825x20 with liners and tubes for $160 each
they are made in china but have worked out great so far
there has got to be a local tire guy who can find u some, call them all

[68HILLBILLY]

I appreciate all the help and advice on these tires, I am used to the old 16, and 19 inch ford tires (MODEL A AND 30'S 40'S CARS AND 1/2 TON TRUCKS) . JUST don't want to spend a lot of money on something without asking some questions and doing some research. I know the tires are available for about 200.00 each , I was hoping for a different source than the classic car tire route. thanks

[Yoyodyne]

The vintage tires are actually cheaper than modern truck tires in the same size, unless you can find the tires maniac239 bought. You might look for a dealer that handles Akuret tires and get a price on their bias ply tires if they make the size you want. I looked for a price on line but couldn't find one. Akuret is a private label import that looks pretty good to me, I have their 6.50-16 bias ply light truck tires on my 36 pickup and like them, they were just under $100 each

[Moselder71]

Yea I’m looking for 7.00-20 tires for my 1936 1.5 ton and the cheapest I found was $190 and then add tubes and installation costs and that’s a lot of money. But u need new rubber to drive on right? Still would love to find a place that has them for like $100 each anyone know of anywhere?

[ABento]

What wheels do you have, the Firestone R-5's come apart in the middle of the wheel and have no lock ring, those are what the tire shops won't work on anymore. The lock ring wheels are a two piece wheel with a seperate lock ring that holds the tire on the rim, those are simple enough to change yourself with some guidance but a shop should change those out for you,especially a truck or tractor shop,they know what they are doing.

[RalphG]

I don't know if it is still an option but back in 1989 I needed replacement tires for a 1957 International. The original 7.50x20s were cracked and did not look like they would handle the weight of a 1200 gallon water tank. Went to a local school bus shop and got 4 good used Michelin radial 8.25x20 tires for the back of the truck. Went on easy and they were an economical choice. They are still working fine today.

[Newc]

Hi; I have a set of '40 Ford 20"... Free local pickup and removal! Lebanon, Or. These use a outer ring, no split and would work great. Just make sure the dual tires don't touch rubber under load. Newc

[alanwoodieman]

Firestone tires from Coker. I used 6:00 20's highway tread on front and 6:00 20's truck tread on rear. Looks like an old truck should look and a lot easier to steer than a wider tire

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by 68HILLBILLY

so far no good luck on finding reasonable truck tires. tires on the truck hold air but are very very old ,I am guessing 40-50 yrs by design of tire. I was also told by a local truck tire store that they can't change them because of the old 2 piece rim. Anybody have any ideas about what interchanges with a 1937 ford 1 1/2 ton rim that is more modern but still looks somewhat old?? ideas? personal experience? can't really justify paying 1200-1400 for a set of tires for an old truck. might just have to pass on it .

I doubt your truck has the old widow maker rims, probably has typical slit rims. If so find another tire shop, most likely one that works on farm equipment. If not find an old timer who can show you how to demount and mount the tires yourself.

[Brad Hole]

I have the same problem at the moment. Currently looking for a set of six 7.50x20 tubes and tires for my '47.
When I bought them for my '45, I worked for a parts store that got them, tire, flap, and tube, for $125 each - with the employee discount, of course. They were/are Samson tires. Unfortunately, I no longer work there and his supplier has had them "backordered" for the last year. They are on eBay - which is likely where I'll end up - for about $200 per tire.

As far as dismounting/mounting them, you're right - most tire places probably won't want to touch them, which is probably better for you anyway as most places no longer have the tool for it. Does the tire use a lock-ring, or is it an "actual" two-piece rim? The non-split ring requires a special tire iron that has a S-shape on the end to pry the ring off. I lucked out and had a relative that gave me all his tire irons when he closed his shop a few years prior. If you can't find one online, try around at any "Old-time" car garage - the ones where the owners have been wrenching on cars for the last 50 years. It's likely you'll find an iron there.

When it comes time to actually do it, watch this video a few times, then find a friend to help. Took us a few tries, but once we figured it out it was pretty quick!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeBx8V7-ZTg

If its an actual split-rim...can't say I have much knowledge on it