16" Wheels
 

I am thinking about putting 16" wheels and tires on one of my Model A's. Does anyone regret going with the 16" wheels instead of 19" or 21"? Any drawbacks?

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I've tossed that idea around also, supposed to be a smother ride with "better?" tires.
I'll be following

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I have two with 600 X 16's. No regrets so far. 30 + yrs.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Mine came with cutdown original wheels and used 600X16s. I traded out to 19s and like the looks better now. My avatar shows the cutdown wheels.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I think it depends on what you're looking for. Better ride? Perhaps. Better tire options? Probably. Looks? That's a personal thing.

I swapped out the stock wheels/tires on my Model A coupe for '35 wires (16-inch) and used 6.00x16 and 7.00x16 Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials (sold by Coker) and like them quite a lot. Seems to have reduced sidewall flex quite a lot and ride much nicer. But, the aesthetic is definitely more Pre-War hot rod, which is what I was after, so, your results may vary...

Re: 16" Wheels
 

really comes down to looks. 90% of the people out there dont know the difference.
most on this board have a discerning eye.


personally I only like the looks of stock wheels. if your building a 1940s hot rod, then yes, the 16s look great.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

My Tudor came in 16's the top speed was 50 mph down hill with a tail wind! 19's on her now top speed 65 + but that comparing apples to oranges. With the 16's on her it seamed like she had 4.11 gears now it's feels the normal 3.78 just saying

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Much better ride, stops on the dime.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I collected 18", 17" & 16" V8 wheels and in my opinion, the 18" 1932 wheels give a smooth ride and look better than the others.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I just put the 16" wheels on in August and I love the better handling and smoother ride. I went with tubeless 225/75R16 radials and I added Tire Pressure Sensors. The tires have the same diameter as the 19" Model A tires, so there's no speedometer error. And they don't look oversized for the 5" wide rim. Everyone in my club likes the way my truck looks with the new tires. One of the reasons I went to 16" tires was to get rid of the tubes and also get a radial tire. I bought the Westlake tire at Walmart's for $67.00 each and run the tire pressure at 27 lbs. Another advantage to the wider tires, with more rubber on the road, your brakes are more effective.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Al did you have any trouble with the bead seal, I have heard that can present a problem

Re: 16" Wheels
 

My '31 half ton looks kinda funny with small,'35 Ford wires on it. That's what was on it when it came out of long storage, as it was a brush painted, fixed up WW-ll era workhorse. I was told 19" tires were virtually non-existent during the war, so you would change over to '35 wires then maybe find some tires that size. I had to decide, 10 years ago, so I got new Goodyear All Weather Diamond Treads for it and have been very happy with them, Braking may be a tad better, I can't see too much difference in drive-ability difference from 19" rims on other A's I've had and driven. For looks, I agree with Bob Bidonde and his '32 rims or maybe go for '33 rims. My speedo gearing was never changed, so I'm going about 3-4 MPH slower than speedo shows.http://jpg file My spare is a "baloney skin" original Ford 19" rim & tire that came with the truck, probably a factory "Firestone" tire.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I wish any of those sizes were available here. How does the rim width on 18" and 17" wheels compare to the 19"?

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Bob, What size are the tires in your first picture? They look bigger than the normal 4.75/5.00-19. I like them.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I just had to try the 16 inch with Firestone white walls after one season I went back to my original 19 inch with Diamond tread. I didn't care for the look.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I prefer the original look of nineteen inch wheels on my 30-31 model A's . The 1935 Ford 16 inch wheels ride and handle better .

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Purdy , I also like the ride of my 16" radials,they are much better at keeping straight on rutted highways .

Re: 16" Wheels
 

PalAL, A couple of my rims were badly pitted and after powder coating they were still pretty rough, but no problems with the bead sealing.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I recently bought a Victoria that had the 16” wheels on it. Attached is a picture of the car with the wheels....Last week I was able to buy a set of 19” wheels and tires for it....
For me the looks of the car with the 19’s is much better. The ride of the 16’s is better, the 16’s are not affected by the rough roads as much as the 19’s are the 19’s are easier to steer.
For me I will stay with the 19” wheels...If anyone near the Phoenix area wants to buy a set of really nice Red powder coated wheels I know where they can find some.:)

Re: 16" Wheels
 

It seems like most of the modern radials in the narrow, taller sizes are for Light Trucks and vans. Seems like that would contribute to a rough ride, but maybe would be better for running tubeless? I. E. stiffer sidewall would keep the bead sealed better? LT215/85-16 would be a good size at 30.3" tall.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

The LT designation means Light Truck......ie stiffer sidewalls. Try to stick with passenger car tires. The Westlake tires I bought are really nice tires and cheap too at $67 each. The 225/75R16 size are perfect replacements for the 19" tires.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Thanks Al. What is the Westlake Tire model number?

Re: 16" Wheels
 

DBSHELTON: here is a screen grab of the tire at Walmart

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Re: 16" Wheels
 

What are the other 3?

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Re: 16" Wheels
 

My sentiments exactly. My Excelsior Radials (550R19) look great and ride even better.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Does anyone have an issue with a small diameter tire/wheel combo rubbing the brake rods?

Re: 16" Wheels
 

What’s the size of those 16” tires?

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Diameter of 225/75R16 tires is 29.3 inches.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

No drawbacks with these three! DD

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1603673230

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1603673148

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1603673362



........

Re: 16" Wheels
 

What tire sizes?

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I forgot to show this GREEN car that I absolutely love!

As far as tire sizes, most folks that do the "big 'n little" combinations use either a 7.00 R16 or 7.50 R16 on the rears, and 5.50 R16s on the front, although those are possibly 6.00 R16s on the FRONT of the black coupe with red spokes. The rears are probably 7.00 R16s on that shiny black coupe. The 1935 16" spoke wheels are ALL 4"-wide between the beads, and ALL of these tire sizes fit these 4" rims just fine. The SOLID 16" wheels like on the RED/BLACK coupe are also 4"-wide for '40 and '41, while the 16" solid wheels for '42-'48 are 4-1/2" wide, and work well for rear tires. I'd keep 4" wheels on front, while the 4" works just as well as 4-1/2" on the rears. ALL have the same 5-1/2" five-lug bolt circle as the Model A. DD

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1442094336

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I agree .

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Opinions are like belly buttons. Everybody has one. Your car is your car. Do with it as you like. I love original cars. I also appreciate modifieds and hot rods. My 1930 Tudor was a modified when I bought it as it had non original paint and juice brakes. I originally planed on a restoration when I got it. But finances wouldn't allow that. I felt it was unstable with the original 19's. I bought a set of 16's. I had two of them widened 1.5". 750x16 rear and 600x16 front. Reproduction Firestone bias ply tires. When replacement time comes along I will upgrade to radials. I truly appreciate the stability of the 16's.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...ps8n3gehcl.jpg

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Got 8.20-15s on the rear of mine, 30” diameter, with smaller tires on front. They fit the well nicely. Most non Model A folks don’t have a clue that it is not original. I think a larger contact patch for the tire makes stopping much safer. It all depends on who you want to impress, or what you like best. I just do what I like, or feel is safer.

Re: 16" Wheels
 

Russ B: I'm with you. I don't give a rat's a** what other people think. I'll do what I feel is best...........

Re: 16" Wheels
 

I see where European classic has 6.00-16 and 6.50-16 bias ply tires for $115 and $125 shipped. I already have a set of their 21" tires on my 29 Tudor and they really ride and drive well. This may be another good option.