The Ford Barn

Jakno · 06-24-2017, 07:43 AM

We are installing four new 225/75R16 radial tires on 35 pickup. Rears fit fine, plenty of clearance. The front tire/fender clearance, not so good. Have approx. 3/8" of clearance to front lip of fender which causes tire to rub when turning.
I have been planning on converting the front shocks to the tube type which I'm hoping will give me some front end lift ?.
Has anyone experienced this problem with a successful solution they would share ?. Thanks

1931 flamingo · 06-24-2017, 07:54 AM

Weak front spring?? Have you lowered the front end ie: dropped axle??
Paul in CT

Jakno · 06-24-2017, 08:11 AM

Paul, haven't changed anything from the stock front end. Had the original shocks re-built but am not confident they came back close to original. I will check the front spring and bushings for cracks and wear. Don't find replacement springs for 35 pickup listed.. Thanks

Flat Ernie · 06-24-2017, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakno

I will check the front spring and bushings for cracks and wear. Don't find replacement springs for 35 pickup listed.. Thanks

Springs and components should be same as passenger car...

Jeff/Illinois · 06-24-2017, 08:36 AM

Nice looking tires.

Our 650/16 bias tires don't even look quite that big, and they take up plenty of room on our '36 Pickup

51 MERC-CT · 06-24-2017, 09:21 AM

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Installing tube type shocks wont lift anything unless they are air shocks.
Instead of the oversize radials a smaller tire should have been considered.

Scott/Mn · 06-24-2017, 10:01 AM

Janko, does your truck have the stock '35 Ford wheels? I am considering installing radials on my '34 pickup (has '35 spoke wheels); 215-70/16 size has been recommended to me. However I am thinking mine may have smaller wheel wells.

Jakno · 06-24-2017, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott/Mn

Janko, does your truck have the stock '35 Ford wheels? I am considering installing radials on my '34 pickup (has '35 spoke wheels); 215-70/16 size has been recommended to me. However I am thinking mine may have smaller fender wells.

My wheels are the stock 1935, 4.5 " rims I believe

42merc · 06-24-2017, 10:37 AM

225-75x16 are too large for the front end of any pre war Ford. I would think a tire about 26" tall should be a better fit.
Go to any tire site & check the specs for dimensions.

Jakno · 06-24-2017, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Nice looking tires.

Our 650/16 bias tires don't even look quite that big, and they take up plenty of room on our '36 Pickup

According to the tire chart conversion list I'm using, the 650-16 tire compares in height ( 29.3") to a 225/75R16 tire. My problem is not really the height, it's the width of approx. 8.5 ".

dude · 06-25-2017, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 merc-ct

installing tube type shocks wont lift anything unless they are air shocks.
Instead of the oversize radials a smaller tire should have been considered.

2x ,

51 MERC-CT · 06-25-2017, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakno

My wheels are the stock 1935, 4.5 " rims I believe

"Stock 1935, 4.5 " rims I believe"?
Most if not all radials in the size range you are using require a minimum of 5.5" rim width.
Also thought that stock '35 tires were 600/16 and not 650/16 which you used to figure the size you needed.
And that would reduce the dia. by an inch.

Lawson Cox · 06-25-2017, 12:28 PM

I have 650 x 16 Goodyear's on the front of my truck and they are really tall, run with no problems. I do have a sway bar, however. Tires are close to fender, but no rubbing, e en on hard turns.

TJ · 06-25-2017, 12:42 PM

Stock 35 rims are only 4" wide. Not wide enough for the size of tire you have mounted. Do you have stock brakes or hydraulics? I think the hydraulics may move you wheel outboard slightly putting you closer to the fender. Is it possible you have a later axle under the car? The later axles are wider.

Lawson Cox · 06-25-2017, 01:00 PM

If this posting is in response to my post above, Yes, I do have hydraulics, with stock axel and 39 backing plates.

JSeery · 06-25-2017, 01:01 PM

Maybe it's just me, but why would you want big tires on the front? Car/Trucks look better with big on the back and smaller on the front.

Jakno · 06-25-2017, 02:48 PM

Like Lawson, I do have Hyd brakes and stock axle. If I have to go with smaller front tires, we'll do that. I like all the tires the same size, it looks like what Henry intended it to be , a truck.
Thanks for everyone's help and idea's .

tub1 · 06-27-2017, 03:20 AM

I'm thinking if you have a later axle under your pick up you would be better off 37 to 40 axles are narrower than 35 ones , to install later axle you need wishbones and all parts

Mart · 06-27-2017, 04:45 AM

^^ Good point above, (I thought tub was talking rear axles, but no, he's right, the front axles are narrower).

I have some experience of this, if you put 37 spindles and hydraulic brakes onto an earlier axle, and then use wires,(and the associated thin support spacers) you do increase the track width.

But the reality is that the tyres are too wide. a 205 16 is narrower and plenty tall, but that is also too wide (imho).

I don't know if a 195 16 is available, but that would be more appropriate for the front of your truck.

Or some 600-16's.

Mart.

Talkwrench · 06-27-2017, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Maybe it's just me, but why would you want big tires on the front? Car/Trucks look better with big on the back and smaller on the front.

No not just you ...

06-24-2017, 07:54 AM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup Weak front spring?? Have you lowered the front end ie: dropped axle?? Paul in CT

06-24-2017, 08:11 AM	#3
Jakno Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Maine Posts: 325	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup Paul, haven't changed anything from the stock front end. Had the original shocks re-built but am not confident they came back close to original. I will check the front spring and bushings for cracks and wear. Don't find replacement springs for 35 pickup listed.. Thanks __________________ Lineman, the only dumb animal that can harness himself !!

06-24-2017, 08:36 AM	#5
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,789	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup Nice looking tires. Our 650/16 bias tires don't even look quite that big, and they take up plenty of room on our '36 Pickup

06-24-2017, 09:21 AM	#6
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Installing tube type shocks wont lift anything unless they are air shocks. Instead of the oversize radials a smaller tire should have been considered. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

06-24-2017, 10:01 AM	#7
Scott/Mn Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 138	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup Janko, does your truck have the stock '35 Ford wheels? I am considering installing radials on my '34 pickup (has '35 spoke wheels); 215-70/16 size has been recommended to me. However I am thinking mine may have smaller wheel wells. Last edited by Scott/Mn; 06-25-2017 at 06:21 AM. Reason: sp

06-24-2017, 10:37 AM	#9
42merc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buchanan, MI Posts: 676	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup 225-75x16 are too large for the front end of any pre war Ford. I would think a tire about 26" tall should be a better fit. Go to any tire site & check the specs for dimensions.

06-25-2017, 12:28 PM	#13
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup I have 650 x 16 Goodyear's on the front of my truck and they are really tall, run with no problems. I do have a sway bar, however. Tires are close to fender, but no rubbing, e en on hard turns. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

06-25-2017, 12:42 PM	#14
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,035	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup Stock 35 rims are only 4" wide. Not wide enough for the size of tire you have mounted. Do you have stock brakes or hydraulics? I think the hydraulics may move you wheel outboard slightly putting you closer to the fender. Is it possible you have a later axle under the car? The later axles are wider.

06-25-2017, 01:00 PM	#15
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup If this posting is in response to my post above, Yes, I do have hydraulics, with stock axel and 39 backing plates. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

06-25-2017, 01:01 PM	#16
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup Maybe it's just me, but why would you want big tires on the front? Car/Trucks look better with big on the back and smaller on the front.

06-25-2017, 02:48 PM	#17
Jakno Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Maine Posts: 325	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup Like Lawson, I do have Hyd brakes and stock axle. If I have to go with smaller front tires, we'll do that. I like all the tires the same size, it looks like what Henry intended it to be , a truck. Thanks for everyone's help and idea's . __________________ Lineman, the only dumb animal that can harness himself !!

06-27-2017, 03:20 AM	#18
tub1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: tasmania Posts: 221	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup I'm thinking if you have a later axle under your pick up you would be better off 37 to 40 axles are narrower than 35 ones , to install later axle you need wishbones and all parts

06-27-2017, 04:45 AM	#19
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,749	Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup ^^ Good point above, (I thought tub was talking rear axles, but no, he's right, the front axles are narrower). I have some experience of this, if you put 37 spindles and hydraulic brakes onto an earlier axle, and then use wires,(and the associated thin support spacers) you do increase the track width. But the reality is that the tyres are too wide. a 205 16 is narrower and plenty tall, but that is also too wide (imho). I don't know if a 195 16 is available, but that would be more appropriate for the front of your truck. Or some 600-16's. Mart.