Here is a question that has probably been answered numerous times on this forum. Unfortuantley, I have a slow computer and internet connection so searching can by very troublesome for me. If this has been answered already please provide me a link.
I was wanting advice on what to do for wheels and tires on my 50 f. I want the truck to look original and will be using it as a daily driver. I was wondering what the options are? Can I use original wheels and update the tires with radials? Do I need to get modern wheels that look the part? Should I go with Bias ply tires? Please let me know your thoughts.
Ian

 

The stock wheels on an F-1 are 16" x 4.5" one piece construction. Tubeless tires, much less radials, were not on the market back then. But we have heard from many members who successfully run tubeless radials on their stock wheels. Some references claim that radials place unsafe lateral loads on old wheels which can cause stress fractures in them. Others claim that radials place less stress on old rims than bias ply tires. I've read all I can find on the subject and haven't found any authoritative scientific evidence supporting one position or the other when dealing with light truck or car wheels. I do, however, have SAE info that documents that the wheel manufacturers had to address big truck stress fractures on wheels when radials were first introduced.

The stock tire was a 6.00 x 16", and optional was a 6.50 x 16". IIRC these would equate with a 185 or 195 width tire using the metric system. I've read others say that they use 215 profile tires with no problems. I'll defer to those who use these tires to comment further. Stu

 

Don't feel bad at all about asking this question. I asked it last summer because it was driving me insane. According to Coker tire and Diamondback (I called both and just flat out asked), the 6.00 x 16 bias ply equivalent is a 195/80/16. BUT, that small size is VERY hard to find on the typical radial market now. I basically couldn't. So I got a set of Cooper Discoverer H/T lightweight truck radials last summer for my original 16 inch rims. The closest size I could get is LT215/85/16. They work great. (knock on wood) And I have never had a problem so far. And ask anybody around, I do not baby that truck when I drive it. My daily commute is 11 miles of very steep up and down grades and "kiss your a$$" curves. They've never once bobbled. I honestly think the key is that I went with LT tires which are stronger. I wouldn't hesitate at all to put another set on there. They are the tires on the black truck in my avatar and gallery.

 

In case you don't know, "LT" stand for "Light Truck". The sidewalls are more reinforced on an LT tire than on a regular tire.

 

Thanks for the advice. It looks like I am going to go with original wheels.
I only have 3 original wheels and need 2 more. I know this is not the correct place to post wanted to buy items but here goes. Does anybody have 2 original 16" wheels that they would be willing to part with?