pro and cons 16 inch vs 19 inch wheels

ford31

Senior Member
thinking about changing my 31 pickup to 16 inch tires and wheels,will it drive better ect
 
I assume you are talking 16 inch wire wheels. Remember that you will need to let some air out of the spare (and carry a pump) to get a 600 16 into the fender well. Running a 550 16 might fit but I haven't tried it. The 1932-34 4 cylinder hub caps look good on the '35 Ford wire wheels.

Charlie Stephens
 
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thinking about changing my 31 pickup to 16 inch tires and wheels,will it drive better ect

This is like oil and can o worms type question, i.e.- everyone has an opinion ..and I'd bet that yours will vary also :) !

Ideally, locate a friend/club member who has some of the wheels/tires that you would like to try. Borrow, etc, and see what conclusion that you come to.
As to color, do what is known as photo shop your A with differing wheels and colors. You might even come across a combination that you like.
 
I have 16's on one of my cars and 19's on the other. I like them both.

16's are generally smaller overall diameter unless you run 7:50's which are really big.

Smaller overall diameter tires will make the engine turn faster for the same road speed as the larger overall diameter 19 in tires.

I do like the ride of the 16's especially if you run them a little soft.

My opinion,

Chris W.
 
The original A wheels and brake drums are designed as a structural unit. The thin steel drums and the A wheels formed a box section when together. Some drums were even machined on the outer surface for the wheels from Ford.

So using steel drums with other then factory A wheels may allow the brake drums to warp funny. Then again, it may not.

With new cast iron drums I do not know if that is as true.

Just something to consider.
 
I run 16's on my every day driver, modern radials, large in the back and a tad smaller in the front. Rims from a 46 Ford no tubes. The old coup rides and handles like a race car. I love to drive it on back winding roads. Really makes a Model A handle like a charm.
 
I like the ride with my 16s, also, when I hit the brakes the car stops on the spot, it doesn't slide like it did with the 21s on a quick step on the brakes.
 
The only downside I see is that it lowers your effective rear end ratio. But if you have
an overdrive or a higher ratio rear end its a good thing.
Also its probably the most done modification to a Model A that has been done since
1935. I prefer my cars with the stock wheels for looks but I thing the 16's look great.
I have noticed photos of some club tours that almost all the cars in certain clubs have
16's. Go for it.....
 
of course we all have an opinion........

16's make the car look "chubby" to me.

I prefer svelte!
 
1932 18" Ford wheels look better than 16" wheels in my opinion.
 

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Lots of folks "think" Model As came NEW, with 16s'----They were SO commonly used. I'll bet there wuz a KAZILLION 16" wheels made, to satisfy the DEMAND????---Even for TRAILERS!
Bill W.
 
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