Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

Weak front spring?? Have you lowered the front end ie: dropped axle??
Paul in CT

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

Springs and components should be same as passenger car...

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 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.

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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.

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

My wheels are the stock 1935, 4.5 " rims I believe

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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.

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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 ".

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

2x ,

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

"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.

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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.

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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.

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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.

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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 .

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

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

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

^^ 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.

Re: Radial Tire Clearance 35 pickup
 

No not just you ... :D