The Ford Barn

34fordy · 05-16-2023, 07:44 PM

I have wrestled with buying tires for my pickup. I had ordered 4 Excelsior bias tube type 650-16 tires and 4 new tubes. I just did not want to pay 3-4 hundredf per tire for the type of use my truck will get. They ended up being back ordered so I canceled the order. It would have been around $650 for 4 tires and tubes. I ended up buying 5 Laeo Lion Sport 205/80 R16 8PR radials from Walmart. Received them in 3 days. The 5 tires cost less than $500 dollars with tax. I bought a HB tire changer for $45 dollars and attached it to concrete. The dismount and mount went very well. I mounted them to my wide 5 4" wide wheels. I have not done any balancing or balance beads. I never go above 55MPH. There is no vibration whatsoever. The ride is great as is the steering I could not be happier.

flatford8 · 05-16-2023, 08:08 PM

Good for you!!.......I believe you don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy these vehicles. They all don’t have to be restorations..........Mark

GB SISSON · 05-16-2023, 09:06 PM

In full agreement with Mark, Another 'Good for you' from the West Coast!

Adam/Mill Valley CA · 05-17-2023, 08:07 AM

I waited it out for the back-ordered Excelsior bias ply tires for my '36 pickup and recently put them on (6.00-16 front, 6.50-16 rear on wide five wheels)-see my recent post "For bias-ply guys". Like you, I could not see spending over $1000 for a set of tires, the Firestones on the truck had aged out after 10 years. The Excelsiors seem indistinguishable in ride and handling from the Firestones and are $100 less per tire. I put in new radial tubes, all through Summit racing. I have a HF tire changer but my aching back told me to let the tire store change them. No balancing needed, I don't go over 60mph on the freeway. If they hold up, I'll be a happy camper.

Adam

tubman · 05-17-2023, 08:33 AM

I have a Northern Tool manual tire changer (which is the same as the Harbor Freight unit). After a few modifications, it works well enough. I also bought their bubble balancer, which also works well. For wide fives, I modified an old brake drum to use as an adapter. It's heavy but it works.

I just feel more confidant with balanced wheels and tires. I am tempted to try "balance beads" next time around.

34fordy · 05-17-2023, 08:58 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

[QUOTE=tubman; For wide fives, I modified an old brake drum to use as an adapter. It's heavy but it works.

I have one of those wide 5 aluminum racing adapters that I balanced first which I can use if balancing is needed. I also use it to change tires on the "sooperdooper" HF thingamajig. I agree that the thingamajig tools do need a bit of tweaking and another bar to help with disassembly and assembly.
I have another adapter just like above if anyone needs one.

OldGold360 · 05-17-2023, 11:52 AM

I recently purchased five new Firestones for my 1935 wheels that I had powder coated, then mounted and balanced by Les Schwab, so I know the pain, but damn if they don’t look nice.

Adam/Mill Valley CA · 05-18-2023, 08:01 AM

The Firestones looked great but I have to say the Excelsiors look the business too

05-16-2023, 07:44 PM	#1
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 825	Tire purchase for 36 pickup I have wrestled with buying tires for my pickup. I had ordered 4 Excelsior bias tube type 650-16 tires and 4 new tubes. I just did not want to pay 3-4 hundredf per tire for the type of use my truck will get. They ended up being back ordered so I canceled the order. It would have been around $650 for 4 tires and tubes. I ended up buying 5 Laeo Lion Sport 205/80 R16 8PR radials from Walmart. Received them in 3 days. The 5 tires cost less than $500 dollars with tax. I bought a HB tire changer for $45 dollars and attached it to concrete. The dismount and mount went very well. I mounted them to my wide 5 4" wide wheels. I have not done any balancing or balance beads. I never go above 55MPH. There is no vibration whatsoever. The ride is great as is the steering I could not be happier.

05-16-2023, 08:08 PM	#2
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,630	Re: Tire purchase for 36 pickup Good for you!!.......I believe you don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy these vehicles. They all don’t have to be restorations..........Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

05-16-2023, 09:06 PM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,945	Re: Tire purchase for 36 pickup In full agreement with Mark, Another 'Good for you' from the West Coast! __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

05-17-2023, 08:07 AM	#4
Adam/Mill Valley CA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,CA Posts: 275	Re: Tire purchase for 36 pickup I waited it out for the back-ordered Excelsior bias ply tires for my '36 pickup and recently put them on (6.00-16 front, 6.50-16 rear on wide five wheels)-see my recent post "For bias-ply guys". Like you, I could not see spending over $1000 for a set of tires, the Firestones on the truck had aged out after 10 years. The Excelsiors seem indistinguishable in ride and handling from the Firestones and are $100 less per tire. I put in new radial tubes, all through Summit racing. I have a HF tire changer but my aching back told me to let the tire store change them. No balancing needed, I don't go over 60mph on the freeway. If they hold up, I'll be a happy camper. Adam __________________ 1936 pickup, stock, black 1965 Mustang coupe 289/4bbl, black/red 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 coupe, dark red/tan 1970 911E 2.2 litre dark blue/black 1968 BMW R50/2 US, black (m'cycle) 1967 Triumph TR6R , sea foam/cream (m'cycle) 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 red (m'cycle) 1974 Honda CB750 red (m'cycle) 2000 Kawasaki W650 blue/silver (m'cycle)

05-17-2023, 08:33 AM	#5
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Tire purchase for 36 pickup I have a Northern Tool manual tire changer (which is the same as the Harbor Freight unit). After a few modifications, it works well enough. I also bought their bubble balancer, which also works well. For wide fives, I modified an old brake drum to use as an adapter. It's heavy but it works. I just feel more confidant with balanced wheels and tires. I am tempted to try "balance beads" next time around.

05-17-2023, 08:58 AM	#6
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 825	Re: Tire purchase for 36 pickup Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) [QUOTE=tubman; For wide fives, I modified an old brake drum to use as an adapter. It's heavy but it works. I have one of those wide 5 aluminum racing adapters that I balanced first which I can use if balancing is needed. I also use it to change tires on the "sooperdooper" HF thingamajig. I agree that the thingamajig tools do need a bit of tweaking and another bar to help with disassembly and assembly. I have another adapter just like above if anyone needs one. Last edited by 34fordy; 05-17-2023 at 09:00 AM. Reason: more info

05-17-2023, 11:52 AM	#7
OldGold360 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: SW WA Posts: 639	Re: Tire purchase for 36 pickup I recently purchased five new Firestones for my 1935 wheels that I had powder coated, then mounted and balanced by Les Schwab, so I know the pain, but damn if they don’t look nice.

05-18-2023, 08:01 AM	#8
Adam/Mill Valley CA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,CA Posts: 275	Re: Tire purchase for 36 pickup The Firestones looked great but I have to say the Excelsiors look the business too __________________ 1936 pickup, stock, black 1965 Mustang coupe 289/4bbl, black/red 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 coupe, dark red/tan 1970 911E 2.2 litre dark blue/black 1968 BMW R50/2 US, black (m'cycle) 1967 Triumph TR6R , sea foam/cream (m'cycle) 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 red (m'cycle) 1974 Honda CB750 red (m'cycle) 2000 Kawasaki W650 blue/silver (m'cycle)