Tire suggestions for my f100

I'm building a1983 f100 2 wheel drive , c6 , and nasty big block with 650 hp.... street use only... what would you run for tires and what size.????

My suggestion would require a narrowed frame and wheel tubs.

29X10.5 Hoosier with a couple of groves cut in it.

what gears?

This may seem odd to you but, I would run a 3.00 to 3.25 gear for best all around use. Have even used 2.72's before with Big Blocks and was pleased with the results. Don't need a lot of gear when you make a lot of torque. especially on the street, too hard to hook up.

if you going to drive mostly on the street and going to run 15'' wheels I would go with a BF Goodrich TA Radial 295 50 15 on a 10x15 rim with the 3.25 gear

I have 64 modal 3/4 ton spring under the rear of my 69 F100 made a world of different over the factory ones that was under it make the ride a little stiffer but now if I have to get on it, it don't blow the tires off. Back when I had the 351c it made a little over 500hp and I had to be real careful or it would just light rear tires up. I put a set of the TA Radials on it and helped some but the springs made the biggest help.

I would look at what will fit, it should clear a 29.5 x 10.5 I would prefer a pro drag radial for a street/strip car, and drive the other unit when rain is in the equation. The gear is relative to the MPH you want to run and where, you can tune it to weight/hp/tire size/distance/rpm. If you ONLY street it there are other decent tires on the market BFG KDW's , M&H drag radials, and others that will at least hook with a little warming, or handle in more weather conditions, first decide within reason in what conditions, and situations you expect the tire/gear to perform then narrow down the optimal tire gear combination for your application.

I'm working on this again... at the moment its getting a stock 460 so i can at least drive it.... I still like the 3.25 gear ratio... but i really wish there was a nice street tire in a 325/50r15.... all i seem to find is 295/50r15 in a nice street tire. cooper is $143 each and i like that just wish it was taller....

I think with most any brand full size pickup if you move the leafsprings to the inside of the frame and move the factory wheel tubs in a little you end up with a ton of room for a decent sized tire/slick.

DILLIGASDAVE wrote:I think with most any brand full size pickup if you move the leafsprings to the inside of the frame and move the factory wheel tubs in a little you end up with a ton of room for a decent sized tire/slick.

On a FORD,....whether it be a Ranger or an F-series,......the Frame rails are narrow enough to fit some HUGE tires in there. On my 93 F-150,....I have a 14" wide wheel,...running a 32x14.5 tire,....BUT,....I ditched the leafs in favor of Ladder Bars.

NOW,....
If you decide to keep the leaf springs where they're are (stock),.....the best wheel size is a 10" wide,....with a 5.5" backspacing,.....as it fits PERFECT. A 12 wide wheel,.....or a 10" wheel with different spacing sticks out too far,....OR,....it sits in too much and it rubs the wheel well.

I have known a couple of guys that ran a 12" wheel w/ 7.5" backspacing in conjunction with Leafs,..... BUT,...they mini-tubbed their rig (widened their wheel tubs)

I am having a hard time finding 15x10 rims with a 5.5 back space... Any idea's'

racinghabbit wrote:I am having a hard time finding 15x10 rims with a 5.5 back space... Any idea's'

The 5x5.5 bolt pattern is the kicker,.....
These trucks were somewhat of a bastard child (compared to Chevrolet) and got very little aftermarket support when they were in production prior to 1996.  What's left these days,....with wheels larger than 8" wide,...are the ones with a lot of negative offset (aka,... minimal back spacing) for the 4x4 crowd.

Your options are limited and going to cost you either way,....as off-the-shelf wheels in the size you need,....just ain't going to happen.


A few Mfg's will do a custom aluminum wheel for you,....such as Bogart, Holeshot,...OR,... in certain versions,...American Racing.  If your on a tight budget,...and would be satisfied with a steel wheel,.... http://diamondracingwheels.com/ can make you whatever you want,...at a very reasonable cost.  I got them to build me a set about 12yrs ago,..and I was well satisfied.

Your best option,...In My Opinion,.....is to get away from the 5x5.5 bolt pattern all together and Re-Drill your Axles & Rotors to a more common B/P like,.... 5x4.5.  When you do this,....it opens up a ton of options for off-the-shelf wheels.  Since you plan to have a fairly stout Powerplant,...it may be a good time to upgrade your rear axles anyway.  You can get the smaller bolt pattern in your new axles at the time of purchase.


Hope this helps,...

Thanks .. I'm still looking for a place that does the classic steel chrome mod rim to the specs you mentioned...

Rally America had great feedback on the HAMB. They had fire a couple years ago so I am not sure if they still do custom steel wheels or just wire wheels now. Next up on the good feedback list is Wheel Smith. Wheel Vintiques has a lot off bad feedback when it comes to custom orders. Good luck.

Used to be a guy in Rochester NY area called Reds wheels he would modify aluminum wheels to any width you wanted, not sure if he’s still around

Try him

http://redsbeadlock.com