55 Fargo

So here is a bit of an update, the said tires are Dunlop Gold Seal 78 series sport bias ply WW L78 15s. The tires have no miles, most likely less than a few hunnert, they were on a 56 Caddy Coupe Deville, and it was inside all the time, and in a museum for a few years too. the car is heavy, wonder how much effect it had on sidewalls of these 4 ply passenger tires. They look mint inside and out except for some light blemishes on the whites. My truck has new shocks, king pins in good condition, steering box small amount of play, pitman shaft tie rod assembly tight and in very good condition, outer tie rod ends have play, just waiting on parts. Current toe-in 1/8, caster and camber, unknown and have no idea if both sides the same, did not notice any uneven wear on old tires. Driving on smooth flat surface no issues, ride is quite smooth. Driving on rutted or loose gravel or uneven pavement cause some major drifting if you don't really watch it. The same issues was evident on the 56 Caddy, which was supposed to have a good tight front end. I did not drive the car, but Buddy did not like the handling with the tires. I at first thought he was so used to radials and modern cars, that he was being fussy. I am waiting to see how they handle gravel roads and pavement inconsistencies, before I make some more decisions. My research has discovered cars with suspect front ends, and/or old bias tires that have been in service a lot of miles can cause all of the negative symptoms and driving/handling issues.i have owner a few vehicles in my youth, with bias ply tires, none handled as poorly as my truck does on gravel. Yes they handled not as well as radials or modern vehicles but very good nonetheless. So will find out, and if these tires look great, but have time in service issues, will make ornaments out of them.....thanx This afternoon adjusted the steering box, just a bit, made a difference, once outer tie rod ends are replaced, will be a good and tight front end. 2 things that also add into the mix,tires have not been balanced yet, and the rear wheels track a bit wider than the front, as my 1980s Mopar 8 1/4 diff is wider than stock I suppose. 1 rear rim is also a 1/2 wider, not sure that makes a big hooey or not. Just came back from a ride, on a rutted gravel road, with loose gravel not bad if you stay under 35-40 mph, but you really got watch, on the highway not bad again but nothing like my old radials that were beat -up. On wet pavement could be interesting, I am not crazy about the feel of this over 40 mph, am I chicken or is there more going on here. I have driven other bias ply tire cars,but this feels dicey. Not going to "eat crow yet", but this may be a short lived thing, but man they do look sweet on my truck......

So here is a bit of an update, the said tires are Dunlop Gold Seal 78 series sport bias ply WW L78 15s. The tires have no miles, most likely less than a few hunnert, they were on a 56 Caddy Coupe Deville, and it was inside all the time, and in a museum for a few years too. the car is heavy, wonder how much effect it had on sidewalls of these 4 ply passenger tires. They look mint inside and out except for some light blemishes on the whites. My truck has new shocks, king pins in good condition, steering box small amount of play, pitman shaft tie rod assembly tight and in very good condition, outer tie rod ends have play, just waiting on parts. Current toe-in 1/8, caster and camber, unknown and have no idea if both sides the same, did not notice any uneven wear on old tires. Driving on smooth flat surface no issues, ride is quite smooth. Driving on rutted or loose gravel or uneven pavement cause some major drifting if you don't really watch it. The same issues was evident on the 56 Caddy, which was supposed to have a good tight front end. I did not drive the car, but Buddy did not like the handling with the tires. I at first thought he was so used to radials and modern cars, that he was being fussy. I am waiting to see how they handle gravel roads and pavement inconsistencies, before I make some more decisions. My research has discovered cars with suspect front ends, and/or old bias tires that have been in service a lot of miles can cause all of the negative symptoms and driving/handling issues.i have owner a few vehicles in my youth, with bias ply tires, none handled as poorly as my truck does on gravel. Yes they handled not as well as radials or modern vehicles but very good nonetheless. So will find out, and if these tires look great, but have time in service issues, will make ornaments out of them.....thanx

Okay Tim, the wallet dictates all choices.....................LOL

Tim, now sit back and take a deep breath, it's as you say, 1 mans "meat" is another man's "poison". People will always do what they reckon is right for them,not always the correct choice. In my case the pocket book always makes that choice for me unfortunately...

Bill, I do know a few Gents who have 40 year old tires on vintage cars stored inside, that have no miles, that should give make the hair stand up on your neck. The tires I just acquired might be 20 years old, the DOT date is before 2000. The inside cavitiy looks brand spanking new, the outside in excellent condition, but degradation most likely is occurring.

Tod, 60 mph is nothin, try 200 mph with hand shaved tires on a 1922 Indian scout at Bonneville. Bert Munro of New Zealand, ring a bell. Okay just foolin with ya, not sure what tires Mr Munro used on that old Indian at Bonneville...

okay how about, D24 4ICE

48-D24, short ,clear and crisp, or D24-ON-ICE, more for the after hours types

Try Northwest transmission, http://nwtparts.com/ I have a fluid drive unit in the shed, but shipping would be wicked from my part of Canada. It is from a 48 Chrysler...

I would say there is some of that, and most declare they have no issues with bias ply tires performance. You made me think of something. I road 1000s of miles in Pops cars before radial tires. 1 car a 68 Olds Vista Cruiser, Winnipeg to LA and back over 4000 miles hitting speeds of 80 mph, no issues whatsoever, car road like a dream, same with all the cars before this car. So if bias tires were so bad, so dangerous, how is it we are all here talkin about it. Don't get me wrong, radials will outperform them,wear better, better gas mileage, and safer in some respects, but there are a lot of crappy radial tires out there too. The is no replacement for a front end that is in poor condition, that makes a big difference. In my case, straight front axle truck, gonna ride like a truck. I recognize radials would make it a little better, but for my use, I am hoping all will be okay

Okay Neil, but will stick with the bias ply for now. Interesting, many,many ,many hambers with bias tires cruising their hotrods 60- 70 mph all the time.

A pic of the truck, now need some body and paint...

I had radials, and switching back to radials is not the point of my thread. If your only cruising at 50-55 mph either bias or radials would be fine. If i want radials I would have stayed with radials, just wan to make sure all is well with the bias route. Bias look way better than most radials on these 40s/50s cars/trucks, but that is a personal choice. Radials will mask and compensate for worn steering components as I have discovered.

Great looking truck. Interesting though, has the small back window, and the box appears to be from a 53 or earlier with the correct rear fenders and running boards. I have no problem with that, mine is the same, 52 box, 56 rear fenders and running boards. So although an excellent resto, does not appear to be 100% OEM, not that it matters, and if I was paying the big bucks, would want the wide back window of the cab......

Thanx Shel

The tires are Dunlop Gold Seal 78 series wide whitewall tires. Any idea if they are glassbelted or what?These tires are poly glass belted, hope there better than rayon belted.....

Thanx drag link ends are very good replaced it a few years ago with a slightly used part. Yes steering box is tight to frame,replaced with a better unit last year. The tie rod ends are toast, gonna replace in next few days. What spec is for the toe-in, 1/16 1/8?

Went for a highway test drive tonight, truck road smooth, the tires did not make for a rougher ride. Steering and handling/control, seem scary. I have new shocks, springs and shackles in good form, king pins in good shape. The outer tie rod ends, are loose with a lot of play, so ordered new ones today. These loose tie rod ends, would they make fora scary ride with bias ply tires? The tires were from a friend, he complained about them, they were on his 56 Caddy, and have no miles on them, they look new, could there be something wrong with the tires? They are Dunlop Gold Seals. I love the tires and look, but want to make the steering and handling as best I can get it to be. On the gravel road, had to lower my speed quite a bit as compared to radial tires, the truck seems to slope a bit now on the sloped road,more than with radial tires......thanx

Thanx everyone, the unit I am after is 1980 circa, made by IHC, MTD has been making them for years, there newer units are decent too, My dad, and few friends have them. I have a Sears Honda powered 7 years old, it has been good, but a bit flimsy, and no shaft PTO for the tiller,snowblower and such. And no 3 point hitch either

Thanx Man, just looking at some issues of Hotrod Deluxe, plenty of muscle driven hot rods way back when with bias tires, did they all drive under 40 mph, don't think so. I really believe the suspension and steering must be in good shape, radials do compensate for a lot of that...

H iRich, no offence taken, and yes I am in no rush, unless traffic is up my back door. Trouble is around here is there are still plenty of older 2 lane highways, but are packed with traffic, we are in some ways 40 years behind on some roadways. Just this morning on the way home, on a nice country roadway, bumper to bumper with 65 + mph, not my idea of fun, these people use this type of road for short cuts. i drove cars in the late 70s that were 60s and early 70s cars, they must have had bias belted tires some of them. I still drove 60-70 mph, 1 thing I remember is they did not handle as well on snow or wet surfaces...thanx

Hey all, I know bias ply do not handle or ride as well as radials, but they must be reasonable, heck they were used for many many years. I do not know if my Dunlop Gold Seals are bias or the improved bias belted. They are 4 ply passenger tires, are soft and subtle, not all dried up and hardened. I still have some major play in front steering, and do still need tie rod ends badly. With any steering play is noticed more easily I am hoping once repaired to improve the ride. Can those of you tell your story on bias ply tires from years ago or recent times. I really like the look of these tires, so want to improve all aspects of steering and handling. I did test drive on my rough rutted roadway, made for an interesting ride with loose steering.

Hey all, I know bias ply do not handle or ride as well as radials, but they must be reasonable, heck they were used for many many years. I do not know if my Dunlop Gold Seals are bias or the improved bias belted. They are 4 ply passenger tires, are soft and subtle, not all dried up and hardened. I still have some major play in front steering, and do still need tie rod ends badly. With any steering play is noticed more easily I am hoping once repaired to improve the ride. Can those of you tell your story on bias ply tires from years ago or recent times. I really like the look of these tires, so want to improve all aspects of steering and handling. I did test drive on my rough rutted roadway, made for an interesting ride with loose steering.

looks good Neil, just took a short drive, rides smooth enough, steering and handling over big bumps and ruts on gravel is not that great. I need to replace tie rod ends as they have a lot of play, the steering box has a little too.....

Here we go......