Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup

Jakno

Jakno

Senior Member
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
 

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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
 
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
 
Installing tube type shocks wont lift anything unless they are air shocks.
Instead of the oversize radials a smaller tire should have been considered.
 
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.
 
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Scott/Mn said:
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.
Click to expand...

My wheels are the stock 1935, 4.5 " rims I believe
 
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.
 
Jeff/Illinois said:
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
Click to expand...

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 ".
 
Jakno said:
My wheels are the stock 1935, 4.5 " rims I believe
Click to expand...

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