5.50 x 19 Radials

wensum said:
Personally, I think the 5.50 look too large on the Model A and not very authentic? I've gone for the 5.00 but have yet to mount them to see if they look any better.
I'm hoping for a slightly softer ride with the radial side walls.
Keith
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After I mounted the 5.50s, I compared them to a couple of Firestone tires I still had mounted. They were exactly the same height.
 
A. If interested, as seen below, the Coker Radial 550R is about 1/2" wider than the Coker Radial 500R.

B. The 550's were never reported on this Forum to touch brake rod's, etc.

C. Good comparison for tread width would be to place a 3-3/4" wide plank next to a 4" wide plank; and for tire width comparison, place a 4-1/2" wide plank next to a 5" wide plank .... and to complicate this comparison test, drink four (4), 12 ounce beers after putting 32 pounds of air in one tire & 38 pounds of air in the other ..... wait 20 minutes and experience the different Coker tire widths.



Coker Tire Size: 500R19 (SKU: 741761) / 550R19 (SKU:741771)

Coker Price Each: $253.00 / $271.00

Tread width: 3.70 / 4.00
Actual Section Width: 4.50 / 5.10
Overall Diameter: 29.40 / 30.10
Load Index: 84 / 88
Speed Rating: S / S

Max. Load Capacity: 1102@ 44 psi / 1235@ 44 psi
Recommended Rim Width: 4.00”-5.00” / 3.25” – 4.50” (550R should be 4.00”-5.00”)
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Coker Tubes recommended for both above tires: (SKU: 86431) 500/600-TR-150 w/Coker 3-5/8" long center rubber stem; or Coker "Special Ordered", (and 2-1/8" shorter), 1-1/2" long vulcanized metal stem.
 
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FWIW:

A. Called Summit Racing Tech Line today, (1-330 630-0240), to inquire if they can remove the Coker 3-5/8" long, center rubber stems from the Coker SKU: #86431; 500/600-TR-150 Radial tubes, and provide and install the vulcanized shorter 1-1/2" metal centered stems.

B. Gentleman reported that we would have to order these metal stem modified radial tubes directly from Coker because they do not provide this tube modification service.
 
I replaced my Firestone 475/500 tires with the 5.50/19R excelsior tires. I prefered them over the 500/19's because of a little more road footprint and the same tire height as the Firstones which leaves my speedometer reading acurrately. The 500's had a different hieght. I did not visually see any noticeable difference in the authentic "A" tire look sizewise. And no, they did not rub or touch the brake rods on my Fordor.
 
The picture below shows the 550R19 Excelsior Radials on my pickup. My avitar has the Firestones that were on there when I bought it.
 

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30 Tudor said:
I really like the color of the truck,,what is it? ...

The tires look nice and sturdy!
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It's called "Stone Grey". Depending on the light conditions, it can look blue, green, or black. (BTW, it's a 30 year old paint job by a PO)

The tires perform terrific.
 
Thanx to all who replied on my post, especially H L, for your complete information and all who recapped their experiences.
I am pretty much sold on the 550R19's Stahl Sport Radials with the shorter stem tubes, either metal or rubber, just don't like the longer stems that need to be bent over to check and add air.
 
Hi Joe,

In my opinion, "New Model A Radial Tire Suggestions Credit", associated with increased safety features and riding comfort should go to all of those many Model A owners who in the recent past were brave enough to take the chance of spending more money for "Radial" tires, tried the Coker Model A "Radials", and reported their truthful enjoyable experiences of upgrades from Model A "Bias" tires to "Radial" tires.

Then, similar to Mr. LaVoy's report not long ago, where he suggested something similar to if Model A owners only drove less than a thousand miles a year with their "Bias" tires, and then upgraded to "Radials", they should just get well prepared to want to get their Model A's out of their garages and drive several more thousand miles per year.

All of our Model A purchases, experiences, and opinions are nothing more than one's individual choices where some may rightfully prefer to obtain more original Model A "Bias" tires with original tire treads and sizes or try non-original "Radial" tires.

Same Model A owner opinions and choices apply to all other non-original Model A items purchased to get up to speed on today's highways.
 
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Hi H L, words of wisdom to be sure. I installed F-150 Overdrive a few years ago and it is easy to cruise at 55 to 65 with hyway traffic and she stops very well with cast iron drums but the tendency to move L & R from road issues has me thinking, courtesy of testimony by others who have them, that the radial tires will also help with tracking as well as more tread on the road for braking. Thanx again for you in depth information.
I've had the old girl for about 8 or 9 years and I'm still amazed at what a great site this Ford Barn is!!
 
FWIW: Added Coker "Radial" Tire Information.

1. With thanks to all for former Forum advice and information on Coker "Radial" tires, I ordered (5) 550R19 (SKU: 741771) tires from Summit Racing, (same price as Coker), except no shipping charges, with absolutely no problems in ordering same.

(Again, Coker does not offer tubes with metal stems for their 550R19 Radial tires, and Summit Racing does not remove rubber stems & provide vulcanized metal stems for same, so for "Radial" tubes with shorter metal stems, I had to order modified Coker tubes from Coker Tire.)

2. After telling the very nice gentleman at Coker the exact (5) tubes I wanted, and that I wanted metal stems, I subsequently had to reorder "Radial" tubes from Coker twice, for a total of (3) times for ordering tubes.

A. After ordering tubes the first time, the first very nice Coker gentleman immediately sent an emailed Coker printed invoice to me for the correct tubes with rubber stems removed; but, with (5) TR383, 3-5/8" tall "brass" metal stems, same "tall" height as Coker rubber stems. So I called Coker back right away.

B. Second very nice Coker gentleman apologized and recommended their nickle finished metal stem that matched the 1930 Model A stem, which was only 2-1/4" tall. Then he told me he found a tube deal for less expensive Coker Radial tubes. After immediately sending the Coker invoice, it listed (5) 475/500-19 TR 135 Center B19, (SKU#86400) tubes for only $14.95 each. So I called Coker back right away.

C. Third very nice Coker gentleman apologized after I told him that the 475/500-19 TR 135 Center B19, (SKU#86400) "Bias/Radial" Coker tubes for only $14.95 each were not recommended for the 550R19 Coker tires. So he verified everything in his catalog, apologized, and very kindly retyped the order for:

(5) SKU#86431 500/600 TR 150 Center Radial BR 19 @ $46.00x5 = $230.00
(5) Metal valve stem installations @ $5.00x5 = $25.00.
(5) 90991 Rubber Base Nickle Stems TR 127 @ 7.00x5 = $35.00
(Coker's shipping was $19.31)

Additional Coker "Radial" tube information is:

If one is buying Coker 500R 19 Radial tires in lieu of 550R19 "Radial" tires, Coker has listed 475/500-19 TR 135 Center B19, (SKU#86400) "Bias/Radial" Coker tubes for only $14.95 each in lieu of $46.00 each for the 550R19 tires. Then with removed rubber stems and substituted custom metal stems, ($7.00 for stems & $5.00 for installation = $12.00), these tubes are $14.95 + $12.00 = $26.95 each which are less expensive than metal stem tubes offered at Model A parts stores.

Always beneficial to do prior research for all Coker SKU numbers or any other merchandise numbers especially for "special, custom orders".

Next, later check invoices to avoid returning merchandise.

Hope this helps.
 
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I’m a little late to this conversation. My wife is getting me some 550R19 radials for Christmas. She’s ordering them from Summit. I’m reading the conversation on metal stems versus rubber stems with keen interest. What are the advantages v. disadvantages of each? We drive quite a bit, reliability is what I need.
 
Metal vs. rubber is no big deal. Either works. If done right, the metal stem is reliable.

The real difference is the stem length. The tubes come with long rubber stems. If you want short stems, you can only get them in these "radial tubes" by having short metal stems installed into the tubes that came with long rubber stems originally. They cut the rubber stem off and install the shorter metal stem for you.

Some have reported having a hard time putting air into the long rubber stems. As I understand it, you have to bend them out away from the wheel to get the air chuck on them. Some people don't like bending them out.

The concept of a "radial tube" (as opposed to a bias tube) blows my mind. I don't understand how a tube is not a tube.
 
I also wondered about the bias vs radial tube, and so far all I've heard is the radial tubes are thicker to take the added sidewall flex.
 
A little off topic, we've tried the Lucas (vietnam ) 19" tires and seem to be OK after 100 miles. The tubes were marked radial on the long stem and probably sent by mistake with the tires but so far so good. Use a brass side approach chuck to air hose and fit the same to a spare oxygen or similar air gauge for accurate pressure readings. They fit well in sidemounts @ 32 psi.
Downside, after sitting awhile, the tires exhibit very slight flat spots which iron out after about 1/2 mile of driving.
Lucas sells long rubber valve stem nickel covers at $25 each, pricey for an appearance item and no apparent discounts available on line.
 
Curly said:
I’m a little late to this conversation. My wife is getting me some 550R19 radials for Christmas. She’s ordering them from Summit. I’m reading the conversation on metal stems versus rubber stems with keen interest. What are the advantages v. disadvantages of each? We drive quite a bit, reliability is what I need.
Click to expand...

See my comments in post #16 above.
 
I have a friend who put a set of these radials on his car and by the time 3 of them were about 40-50% worn, the fourth had a section about a foot long that was dead smooth. He is not impressed with that but did concede that they ride and handle well.
 
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