Tires (vintage)

sodly · Post by **sodly** » May 5, 2011, 9:41 pm

I have a '66 F-100 Camper Special. My truck's all-original right down to the paint and has low miles. Problem is, since my truck's a half ton Camper Special (which I think they only offered for a couple of years, right?) it came with 7.5 x 15" bias ply tires on split rims... which I gather to be quite an odd size. I've always wondered if anyone make a reproduction tire that would fit these rims (which I also still have, complete with 30 year old bias ply tires). When I bought the truck I was forced to convert it to one-piece rims in order to get radials on it. But I always wonder if anyone nowadays makes a tall, narrow tire like that in a radial. Does anyone know. Maybe a radial can't be made in that tall, square-shouldered profile. I don't know.

Also, does anyone have factory photos of the split rims used on Camper Specials in '66? Mine are Wimbledon White (cream) and the removable portion of the rim is silver. Not sure if those are the original colors or not. Anyone know? The dog dish hubcaps are the shallow (not deep like the 3/4 ton) bottle top type in matching cream with red FORD in the center. Thanks!

Mercules · Post by **Mercules** » May 5, 2011, 9:53 pm

http://www.cokertire.com/

if anyone has them these guys will

sodly · Post by **sodly** » May 5, 2011, 10:45 pm

I left a message for them but, according to their website, I don't see that size. I know there are other places like Coker out there but I don't know if any of them mess with truck tires in this odd size.

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » May 6, 2011, 6:47 am

I am uncertain that you really *should* be messing with the old split rims. Not many places willing to work with the any more, or at least that is my understanding.

As for original appearing, bias sized tires, but with modern radial behavior, here is what I have and think looks very original on my 65

http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires_commercial/ry215.aspx

These are truck tires, narrow and tall. And aired up to 60 psi, they look like bias ply. But they ride and corner like radials.

Only real problem: Yokohama on the side wall... Not that I am anti asian, but it just don't seem right...... Luckily, the lettering is not real pronounced.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » May 6, 2011, 8:31 am

One minor detail, I did some research a while back and found out that the wheels are not Wimbledon White, they are Refrigerator White Ford #DL60-1292 (I found it listed in the used vehicle reconditioning manual!). Hawkrod

sodly · Post by **sodly** » May 6, 2011, 9:34 am

Interesting detail! I guess I always assumed they were Wimbledon White. Oh well, whatever it is, I had my one piece rims matched as closely as possible to that color as I could. My powder coater did not have Wimbledon white anyway.

Does anyone know what color the snap ring should be? Any pics?

Does anyone else have an F100 Camper special set up like mine? Any pics? I'm gathering that they're not very common... another reason why I'd like to return the wheels to original.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » May 6, 2011, 11:14 am

car tire chain stores will not work on split wheels

big truck repair shops will.

split wheels use tubes so any new tire you use on the split will need a new tube and liner to go with the tire. in 1966 this was not a big deal.
everyone patched tubes when tires went flat.

sodly · Post by **sodly** » May 6, 2011, 11:18 am

Oh, that's right. Now you're jogging my memory. Radials won't fit on a split rim, will they? Maybe that was why I abandoned the idea years ago. Shoot, the old splits look way cool with tall, skinny tires. Wish I could find a workable solution to get them back on the truck.

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » May 6, 2011, 9:00 pm

on my 67 250 the rings are the same white color as the rims. and even though the shop i took my truck to would work on the split rims, he really tried to talk me out of using them.
that is until i showed him the fresh accurides in the bed. i was one step ahead of him. lol

factorystock · Post by **factorystock** » May 6, 2011, 11:16 pm

Here is a shot of a 66 F 100 with 2 piece 15" rims. Your F100 Camper Special should have the same type wheels and hubcaps.Silver-gray locking ring with off white color wheels and hubcaps(red letters). 66's with 2 piece 15" rims used the old style carryover innie hubcaps. I believe 7.00-15 bais ply tires are the closest authentic looking period tires that still can be ordered thru a truck tire dealer.

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Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » May 7, 2011, 2:49 am

I`ve got a set of 4x 7.5x 16`s on solid rims, the tyres look like something off a old Jeep

[albumimg]2410[/albumimg]

sodly · Post by **sodly** » May 7, 2011, 9:26 am

Wow that's uncanny, Factorystock. That's my truck... same color and everything. Where did you find that photo? Is that from a brochure or something?

factorystock · Post by **factorystock** » May 7, 2011, 10:17 am

Here is another shot of a brand new 66 F100 (yes F 100, not F 250) with 2 piece rims. Exact same color wheels , locking ring and hubcaps.

sodly · Post by **sodly** » May 7, 2011, 11:38 am

Very cool, Factorystock. Interesting that although the red F100 has the split rims just like mine and a camper in back, it does not appear to be a Camper Special (the fender badge is missing). Weird. Is there any way I could get a copy of that photo in full resolution? I've never seen any factory photos (or any photos) of F100 Camper Specials like mine with 5 lug split rim wheels. Thanks!

PS: I dig your username. I'm all about "factory stock" too.