So the Desert Express COE is finally getting the attention it deserves. Right now I have the Drive train all figured out(finally made my mind up) and its almost time to think about wheels and tires. I have a budget of $800.00 U.S dollars for wheel and tires or just tires There is only 4 kinds of wheels and Tires I am considering. 1st I am in love with the stock 17.5 Ford innie NON SPLIT wheels with the Ford f3 center caps and 17.5 ****er tubless military tires. As seen here: SPECS: PROS: ● i have most of the wheels but 1. ●tires are readily available ●will go a bit over my budget but not bad. ●they look factory. ●will survive the Apocalypse IF well made. CONS: ●I need to find a 4th wheel. ●i need to clean/paint wheels ●hardly ever somebody buys these tires so the ones I buy will be "new"but have been in storage for a long time ●****er has bad reviews on some of their tires. COST: 800.00 for tires 100.00 for 4th wheel 120.00 for hubcaps Total of a bit more than 1000.00 2nd I found this trailer wheel and tire site where a lot of chevy guys are buying their wheels and tires for their 3/4 tons,with a lot of praise. This are 16"×6 steel wheels and 16" tubless tires. SPECS: PROS: ●Wheels are clean and painted ●they seem to have a good market so new wheels are probably manufacture often ●they fill the weel well as good as the 17.5 ●will last forever ●tires readily avaliable CONS: ●they dont look as sweet as the Ford innies. ●i need to modify them to accept inner hubcaps COST: Just under 800.00 shipped to my door. THIRD: These are your regular Chevy/Ford/Dodge 16" steel wheels and 285/75/16 tubless radial tires. SPECS: plain wheels and tires. PROS: ●tires easy available ●will save me 50% off my budget for other goodies ●i have several sets of wheels. ●Radials might drive better than the other options. CONS ●wheels need to be cleaned ●they dont look as nice ●They dont fill the wheel well as good ●need to modify wheels to accept inner hubcaps . FOURTH Theres is a couple more options. I could find 3 more 16" innie NON SPLIT wheels from a 1960-1966 Ford F250 that will accept the Ford F3 Hubcaps. PROS ●they look factory ●more tire options (even whitewalls ●accept ford f3 hubcaps CONS ●practically non existant,you can find a hot,beautiful,smart,girl that is not crazy and loves sports and old trucks, but not these wheels. ●wheels are probably expensive. ●would need to clean wheels FIFTH AND LAST OPTION My last option would be to cut Ford f3 SLIT WHEELS center part and have it welded to 16x6 outer wheels. That way I have both of the best worlds,ford innie centers and more options for tires. The con is the modification it would have to be made to make them work. FQ: Is this a trick question? -Yes Is my headache the result of this "who's on first nonsense shuffle"? -Yes. Let me know what your thoughts are since this forum needs a little jump start.
Just my opinion, but if you're going to "work" the truck avoid the Cokers. They look great but if you plan of driving a lot or hauling heavy stuff (or a big trailer) go with a good quality radial like a 285/75/16 Firestone Transforce HT. They'll last forever, look nice, and if you lose one they're easy to get. Plus, if you're REALLY into the sidewall look you could buff all the lettering off except Firestone and they look old-timey!
I like the 16" innies myself.........more common tire size and still look right. There's gotta be some out there. I had a pair a few years ago, but sold them to a guy on FTE.
hey guys. Again with this question. I found these on the net: They are 33" tall perfect to fill that big coe fender opening. Only downsize is that they are late 2014. Thoughts? http://m.ebay.com/itm/142198758547 I dont know how much longer this project will sit so it makes me indecisive to spend 600 to 800 for tires.
If I had alternatives just to move around the shop and check for clearances, I'd wait for a deal when I needed them. An oxidizing tire isn't making you money!
This puzzles me.i see people buying tirea first then build around that.. Not all builders but some. Im going to keep my eye on these ebaytires
305/70 tires are pretty wide, prolly need an 8" wide wheel. That eliminates most of your wheel options. I love the look of the bias ply tires, but doubt I could ever spend the money they want for them. Aside from looks they really aren't that great compared to modern radials. JMO
Hey Scott If I did go with the 305/70, i could use the 80s steel wheels,they are 8" and mod some centercaps.
Years ago you could buy chrome "baby moon" hubcaps that would fit those style wheels and looked pretty good. Not sure if they would clear your rear axle stickout though...
Ur right about The axle stick out. I need to measure that today. I went and looked at the 305 70s and it says that its 12.5" wide... So i went a little thinner and found this:
The Jalopy Journal
