37 ton and a half tire options.

[SJCormier]

I have a 37 ton and a half flatbed truck which currently has some very old 700-20 tires on it. Will 600-20 or 650-20 tires fit on the same rim? Were there different tire size options for these trucks when new?

[Bob C]

The 1937 Service Bulletin show 6.00x20 front and 32x6 rear.
Optional sizes are 6.50x20 and 7.00x20

[Newc]

Just make sure that the duals side walls do NOT touch [rub] when loaded. Newc

[sugarmaker]

If I remember correctly we used 600-20 on our 32, ton and a half truck. Real happy with the Firestone look on the truck. Not real aggressive, but blockier than some.







Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[GB SISSON]

I have had a bunch of old ford 1 1/2 tons from the '30s and '40s. I never run smaller than the 7.50 x 20s seen here on my '37 and '40. I did not have a problem with rubbing as you can see in the view from the rear. I like the look of the bigger tires and they are way more available without having to go to an antique specialty tire place. Another plus is the 'rubber overdrive' effect with larger circumference. On the '46-47 trucks I have ran 8.25 x 20s with no rubbing of duals heavily loaded. While they might cost you some points at Pebble Beach, my advice is to run the 7.50s.
PS, When your wife asks you what you want for Christmas, tell her a copy of 'Ford Trucks Since 1905' by Dick Wagner. Lots of tire info, and yes bigger tires were available as an option in '37

[petehoovie]

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Originally Posted by GB SISSON

I have had a bunch of old ford 1 1/2 tons from the '30s and '40s. I never run smaller than the 7.50 x 20s seen here on my '37 and '40. I did not have a problem with rubbing as you can see in the view from the rear. I like the look of the bigger tires and they are way more available without having to go to an antique specialty tire place. Another plus is the 'rubber overdrive' effect with larger circumference. On the '46-47 trucks I have ran 8.25 x 20s with no rubbing of duals heavily loaded. While they might cost you some points at Pebble Beach, my advice is to run the 7.50s.
PS, When your wife asks you what you want for Christmas, tell her a copy of 'Ford Trucks Since 1905' by Dick Wagner. Lots of tire info, and yes bigger tires were available as an option in '37

[cas3]

Somebody check that kids drivers license! Good photos GB.

[34fordy]

When you get the "skinny" from GB about anything on the tonners you are getting experience! His trucks are no trailer queens. They are still "workin" to pay their keep. Not like feeding a horse in the winter time! LOL

[Reds34]

I have 6.00-20 on the front and 6.50-20 on the rear of my '34 BB. I think 6.50's may rub the brake rods if I put them on the front.

Red

[Model51]

Attached are two tables published by Ford used to select the appropriate tire and rim size. Your truck was rated at a 3,000 pound (1-1/2 tons) with 6.00 x 20 front tires and single 6.50 x 20 rear tires. You should be fine with any tire and rim combination listed on the tables.
These tables are from a Appendix F of my book, which covers 1935 and 1936 trucks but has a lot of information for you 1937 truck too.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Model51

Attached are two tables published by Ford used to select the appropriate tire and rim size. Your truck was rated at a 3,000 pound (1-1/2 tons) with 6.00 x 20 front tires and single 6.50 x 20 rear tires. You should be fine with any tire and rim combination listed on the tables.
These tables are from a Appendix F of my book, which covers 1935 and 1936 trucks but has a lot of information for you 1937 truck too.

[SJCormier]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

I have had a bunch of old ford 1 1/2 tons from the '30s and '40s. I never run smaller than the 7.50 x 20s seen here on my '37 and '40. I did not have a problem with rubbing as you can see in the view from the rear. I like the look of the bigger tires and they are way more available without having to go to an antique specialty tire place. Another plus is the 'rubber overdrive' effect with larger circumference. On the '46-47 trucks I have ran 8.25 x 20s with no rubbing of duals heavily loaded. While they might cost you some points at Pebble Beach, my advice is to run the 7.50s.
PS, When your wife asks you what you want for Christmas, tell her a copy of 'Ford Trucks Since 1905' by Dick Wagner. Lots of tire info, and yes bigger tires were available as an option in '37

Thanks for the input. Definitely not going to be a show truck so I’m not worried about losing originality points. I plan on putting it to use on the farm. I haven’t tried asking any local tire shops for 7:50-20 tires yet but just a quick search on line didn’t turn up much. Couldn’t even find prices for anything other than tubes. What brand of tires are you using and what kind of prices?

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by SJCormier

Thanks for the input. Definitely not going to be a show truck so I’m not worried about losing originality points. I plan on putting it to use on the farm. I haven’t tried asking any local tire shops for 7:50-20 tires yet but just a quick search on line didn’t turn up much. Couldn’t even find prices for anything other than tubes. What brand of tires are you using and what kind of prices?

While this might not be a popular option here, I buy them at used tire places, swap meets or on craigslist. I mount them at home after I attack the wheels with a needle scaler and a cup brush, then heavy on the rustoleum rusty metal primer. Often no more than 50 bucks for a good one. You had to ask.....

[sugarmaker]

SJ,
I shopped for 'antique' look new tires from Coker, Lucas, and Miller. I got my tires from Millers and the tubes and flaps from Lucas. Not a cheap date but happy with the results. Good luck with your hunt.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[Reds34]

You can also look for 19.5" wheels from '70's dodge motorhomes. I have 2 of those on the rear of my '34 that are the same size as 6.50-20's. Now that I think of it, I can't out them on the inside of the duals, and they rub the brake rods on the front.

Red

[flatford8]

https://www.millertire.com/
This is the Miller Tire website………Mark

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by flatford8

https://www.millertire.com/
This is the Miller Tire website………Mark

[flatford8]

This is on the website.

[petehoovie]

https://www.millertire.com/antique-t...e-truck-tires/
Largest selection of hard to find tires and wheels