VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Tire Recommendations for 32

What is the largest tire size you can run on a 32 with stock wheels and side mounts and what brand do you guys prefer ?

The correct tire size for 1932 is 5.25x18.

I guess my question is can you so any larger ?

Why?

If you go to a larger tire, then the sidemount tires won't fit into the fender wells when inflated.

I thought a little larger tire may help with handling. Are any of the brands any better then others?

The idea of having an old car is to drive it like was when it was new. Several ways to improve handling would be to go with a more modern suspension, different wheels and radial tires. Also, if you use larger tires your speedometer won't be accurate.

Some dudes prefer one brand over another while other fellows will purchase a brand they can afford. To preview different types of tires go here: http://www.cokertire.com/

Hopefully the Coker web site will help you some.

Good luck with your project.

Just thought having a little more rubber on ground would help. I want to keep running gear original. I will check out Coker

Thanks for the info

You bet. Glad to help out.

The amount of extra rubber on the road will not be that significant. If you go too wide then the tires will rub the steering arm on left hand turns. That is in addition to the fender well and speedometer problems.

My question is will a later model wheel like a 33 or 34 still fit? The ford guys will stick 16" rims on a model a and they say they handle better? Personally I don't like the look of it.

As for tire brands I like the goodyear line but just installed some fire stone tires on my 32 and it handles well with them. I looked through the online for 18" tires lately and I may be wrong but it seems the selection is not that good right now I'm sure it is because it is a one year production run, and hopefully temporary.

Actually a bunch of later wheels will fit as the six lug pattern was the same up to the '70s on 4WD trucks. The problem is that some of the wheels will need a spacer and longer studs so the rim and tire will clear, tie-rod ends, etc.

The wheels for our 92 2/4 Ton truck had the same bolt patern as our 31.

Learned something today. Didn't know that 90s 3/4 ton trucks used the same bolt pattern. I had an '83 3/4 ton truck and never thought about checking it.

My father told me early on (like 45 years ago)to be careful switching wheels on cars to ensure they have proper offset or else you risk excessive wear on the wheel bearings. So a caution to anyone to make sure substitute wheel is properly offset to match original offsets.

The largest i would go with (if you must) is 5.50-18. We are running 5.50 18's of Goodrich silvertowns which is actually a truck tire and that means they dont fit the spare wells without slight deflaition BUT...thats all Coker had at the time in what i wanted which were 4 inch white walls And i wasnt gonna do a one off special search just for that fractional inch.


The original tires on the chevy was like Dog said, 5.25's and i can tell you there is NO handling diference. You might get a little more cushion in the bumps but thats it. Nothing significantly noticable.

I will stay with the 525. Since there all about the same cost I just need to narrow it down to a brand.

Well...if it means anything, we have some old lester/Lister tires (how ever it's pronounced) they have had many miles put on'em...only reason we changed them out were age. They've been on there since the 70's and they were getting to be like my head. BALD.

I love reading this site as you guys frequently discuss things i am doing or am about to. tires: i have six old sears tires on the hoopee that are hardly worn and only slightly checked. modern tires are supposed to be removed from service after somehting like 5 years service due to carcass separation dangers. i hope to run my allstates for a long ways. is the separation danger less in really old tires or lower speeds or lighter cars??? i want the grandkids to be safe.

Just a guess and i'd say a pretty good one even though im no tire expert. I'd say the older make tires are less troublesome to no troubles what so ever compaired to the new tires of todays modernity. Simply becouse back then, a company was actually concerned with quality in which they put out and money was no distraction. After all, it was their NAME on the line. They HAD to be concerned with SOME level of quality. Thus, your older tires lasted longer. Much of your older ANYTHING, lasted longer...and still lasts today.

TODAY...money is a HIGH distraction, quality, little to non and name being on the line really doesnt concern people like it SHOULD...after all, that is your reputation at stake.

Today, quality is not a standard, it's an option. COMPLEATLY topsy tervy of the way it should be. Plus, they manufacture things with a short life out of INTENTIONS. This is again, becouse of $$$$.

Just look, baconfederate, your signature says it.