Radials

[S DONCHEZ]

Hi

I am a newbe to this fourm and need some input on radials for my 55 c3b pickup.

Will radials improve the ride over my fiberglass bias ply 225-75-15 tires.

Thanks

Steve<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[Guest mikelj]

I put radials on my '56 T-Bird to replace the bias ply, and the difference is very noticeable in ride and handling, definitely worth doing.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

I put radials on my '56 T-Bird to replace the bias ply, and the difference is very noticeable in ride and handling, definitely worth doing.[/quote

I agree. Steering may be a little harder if no power steering.

Ben

[stock_steve]

I agree with radials for driving pleasure, but they won't look as "appropriate" for the vehicle as bias ply tires, and they're going to alter the driving experience a bit from bias ply tires (if you're really looking for the ulimate re-creation of what driving your pickup felt like back in '55). You'd probably get some points off in AACA National Meet judging too, with radials (assuming that the vehicle came stock with bias ply tires, which is probably pretty likely).

I just put some fresh new radials on my '69 Bug, and steering effort is not much different from bias, most likely because the car is rear engine.

I am not a radials "zealot," though, and I think the biggest thing holding me back from bias ply tires these days is the unbelievably crummy quality of the most recent set of 5.60x15 bias ply tires I bought (and promptly returned).

[Shop Rat]

There have been discussions that putting radial tires on wheels that were meant for bias ply tires is not a good idea.

Also, if you plan to show the vehicle at National AACA events the radials will cost you three points each, including any spares that are radial, since they were not a factory option for your vehicle. Something to think about if you plan to show.

[Guest Kingoftheroad]

Radials quite probably will improve the handling of your truck. If your not concerned about losing points in a car show or losing the "original" feel or look of your truck then radials are the way to go.

I put radials on my classic, it made a world of difference, and it drives / rides beautifully...

[Restorer32]

Radials will improve the handling of your truck. A small block Chevy would give it more power and speed. Disc brakes would improve stopping. Air conditioning would certainly make the drive more enjoyable. An automatic trans would eliminate that tiresome clutching. Power windows would...

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Radials will improve the handling of your truck. A small block Chevy would give it more power and speed. Disc brakes would improve stopping. Air conditioning would certainly make the drive more enjoyable. An automatic trans would eliminate that tiresome clutching. Power windows would...

Nice bit of sarcasm. But funny.

But why can we not just answer the question asked? OP wanted to know if radials would improve the ride. YES.

Ben

[Restorer32]

Suppose he would have asked if a sbc would improve speed and reliability. Would your answer have been a simple "Yes"?

[Guest superods]

Adressing only your question......bias vs radial. The technology used in the radial tire is superior in all aspects to the outdated bias tires out there in the after marklet. I spoke to the owner of Diamoind Back Tires the other day about "period look radials" for some of my vehicles. He is now offering numerous sizes of 15" and 16" 750 and 600 radials he is referring to as his Auburn collection....pg 22 of his catalogue. The wheel smith makes wheels in wires in 4 inch and 6 inch to keep that stock look on your resto while affordring a far better ride and handling. It makes the driving experience far safer. To me, all the things West eluded to in his blurb .... using the latest technologies takes it from a nightmare to a dream come true for me !!!!

[joe_padavano]

I'll agree with the above. Radials will improve ride. HOWEVER, this is still an old truck. Short of swapping the frame and suspension, it's never going to ride like a new car, or even a new truck for that matter.

[Guest mikelj]

I also have some radials done by DiamondBack with period correct sidewall treatments, they are very nice. And Kelsey makes some Goodyear radials with wide-whites that look very period correct. I have Kelsey Hayes wire wheels on my '56 T-Bird, and thus it takes a tube for the radials, like the bias plies, but that is no problem or safety issue.

[Guest RockabillyRider]

Hi Guys,

I have a 55 Buick Special, with power steering. I'm wondering 2 things; 1) How WIDE a tire can I put on this beast safely without altering ride and comfort?

2) Would wider tires pose more of an issue for the steering?

I'm looking at whitewalls (of course!) 235-70-15 found at Coker; BF Goodrich 2 3/4 Inch Whitewall - 235/70R15

Have any of you used these particular tires? Or anything similar?

Todd

Edited August 14, 2012 by RockabillyRider
forgot second thing.. (see edit history)

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Suppose he would have asked if a sbc would improve speed and reliability. Would your answer have been a simple "Yes"?

No

Ben

[Rusty_OToole]

Radials will work well on your truck, but be careful to get some that are narrow enough if you use the stock narrow wheels. Marshal 791 radials from Walmart are quite narrow, or you can buy wide whitewalls from specialists like Coker Tire for a lot more money. Most modern radials are too wide for your wheels, of course you could get some wider wheels off a Fifth Avenue or later model Dodge pickup.

There is a lot that can be done with the old solid axle suspension. If set up properly the ride and handling are very good at least on fairly smooth roads.

[S DONCHEZ]

Sorry it took me so long to thank every body for the imput. I purched a set of radials and the ride improved 1000%. And for the sbc I have c4 frame and a 427 tri power setting around. That would be nice too,but I think I will stick with the old flat head Dodge.

Thanks

Steve

[Guest mikelj]

Glad it worked out for you. I am partial to the 427 tri-power. I have an L71 in my '67 Corvette, wow what an engine that is, just got back from a long drive with it blasting through the side-pipes, nothing like that sound when the other 4 barrels open up. But the old Dodge engines have a certain charm of their own too, just different.

[Guest Kingoftheroad]

Sorry it took me so long to thank every body for the imput. I purched a set of radials and the ride improved 1000%. And for the sbc I have c4 frame and a 427 tri power setting around. That would be nice too,but I think I will stick with the old flat head Dodge.

Thanks

Steve

Glad to hear you got tires that work for you !!

[Joseph P. Indusi]

A radial tire puts greater stress on the side rim of the wheel than a bias ply tire. However, if the wheel is inspected carefully and found to be in good shape, and you don't plan to corner at high speeds, then it is worth a try switching to radials as the ride and handling will be improved. There are more options in the 15 inch sizes than in the 16 inch sizes. I installed 205-70R16 radials on my 1948 Buick Special and except for it being harder to turn the wheel when parking, the handling is much improved. This tire has a lower profile and therefore a smaller diameter than the 6.50-16 bias ply tires it replaced but it does not matter to me since I changed the differential some years ago from a 4.45 to 1 ratio to a 3.4 to 1 ratio. This gives me good legs even with the smaller tire diameter. For a car of this type with the original rear end it might be better to fit 215-75R16 tires. I believe the old bias ply tires had an aspect ratio of about 82 instead of 75 or 70.

Joe, BCA 33493

[dei]

Glad you found the tires worked for you too!

Only saw your post today....

I bought a 52 Ford F-1 some time ago that while all stock (flathead V8 and steel body - well except for the bondo) had late model chrome rims and radial tires on it. Once it was up and on the road, to this day like the feel of the manual steering with those radial tires and no worries at 50mph.

Now, if I can do that engine swap and stop spraying oil all over the country!

Have fun with your truck.

Doug.

[junkyardjeff]

I have radials on all of my vehicles but the only problem with them is you usually cant run them until they are bald like with bias plys,a belt will bust with plenty of tread left making the tire useless. Just replaced two 12 year old radials on my 65 galaxie and will replace the other two in a couple weeks since they are older,back in the day I would run the bias plys until threads were showing.