Buying tires for the ‘36

[Rodney_Hamon]

I want to buy a set of tires for my truck. It’s not ready for the road but it will be to putz on the property next year. It had the original 16” wheels back in 1974-75, but I changed that to ‘49 D-30 wheels as I liked the wheel stance better. I have  5” and 5 1/2” X 15” rims. Read a lot and I called my tire shop in ABQ to start the search. I would like to hear any opinions. What I would like is a bias type radial. Blackwall. I think a harder/flatter to the road feel would be better for the suspension. I’m not worried about the speedometer being off as I could figure out the equivalent. This truck will not be a daily driver. Just an occasional drive on the lazier roads. Tire prices ?  Oh man.  One thing I did come across on this site was the mention of Por being applied to the inside of the rim to help possibly with air leakage. How interesting.  I never ran tubes on those rims so I think it’s safe to go tubeless...as if I would trust tubes anymore.  Ha

[Dave72dt]

I think maybe what you're describing is a radial with the look of the old bias ply.  There's at least a couple manufacturer's out there.  Coker for one and I think Bridgestone for another.  The more flexible sidewalls of the radials should give you a more comfortable ride.

[Merle Coggins]

I have 235/75R-15 Yokohama Geolanders on my truck with 15 X 5-1/2" rims. I found them to be the most reasonably priced tires at the time and they have done quite well over the years.  I wouldn't say that they have a bias ply look to them, but I've been happy with them. 

Edited November 19, 2021 by Merle Coggins

[1949 Wraith]

I put 215-75 R15 on my 1942 Fargo. I think they were about a half inch shorter than the bias ply would have been. In regards to speedometer accuracy I mark the speedo face for 30,40 and 50 MPH with a magic marker dot, according to a gps reading.

I have radials mounted on 3 of my historic vehicles and the rims hold air very well, without tubes.

 

Edited November 19, 2021 by 1949 Wraith

[Rodney_Hamon]

Thanks for the replies and especially the pix’s. That is valuable to me. I read somewhere about the Yokohama tire.  Tire size is also important and how it looks proportional to 30’s/40’s trucks. Good responses and good to know about affordability. Searching continues and P-15 D-24 is so awesome!

[Rodney_Hamon]

Happy to report by default I bought set of Michelins for the dodge. LTX 215 75 R 15.  I really liked those Yokohamas as price was still right but WAY back ordered. Sumitomo “Falcons “ were the next best tire with a more rigid construction but they were about the same price as Michelins. Coker was $$ and that’s ok. $192 ea. for the Michelins. I have had too much good luck with Michelin so I went with them. They have a little stiffer ride for a light truck tire application. I like. Stands about 27 3/4” tall and that suffices as my original artillary wheels with 6.0 X 16” tires (BF Goodrich) stand 30” tall. Good clearance under the fenders.