Authentic Radial(?) Tires for 1962 C-10

[62ShortStep]

This is my first post at this forum. I was given a 1962 C-10 that was partially restored several years ago. For better or for worse, I'm making this truck an authentic reliable driver.

Its time for tires. Since I try to make my cars/trucks as authentic as possible (sorry...I'm an anal retentive purist), I want tires that are close in size to the original 6.70x15's. The easy solution is to contact Coker or Universal or any of the other tire shops and buy a reproduction set. The problem is that I will be using this truck almost every day and I need a well handling safe truck.

There is a radial tire out there that is the same size as the original 670x15, and it's a radial too. Yokohama's 7R15 (it's actually a 700R15). The only weird thing is, its technically a trailer tire. This tire was recommended to me by a friend that is a competent manager of several large tire stores. Even the Tire Rack has a small review by a customer that used this tire for his vintage truck and car.

Has anyone used a tire like the Yokohama 7R15 for their truck? The whole idea is weird and I've never tried it, so if anyone has a comment I'd sure like to hear it.

Many thanks.
Gus C.
Fountain Valley, CA
1962 C-10
Short stepside
235, 3-speed.

[slepysal]

while a trailer tire will fit / work, keep in mind that a trailer tire is made with a stiffer side wall to compisate for the lack of suspension that most trailers have. This means that your ride will be more harsh.If you can live with that trade off then all is good.
I have run bias ply tires on a 53 wagon , a 64 Galaxie and on my truck, I love the old school look, but not the old school ride, tracking and wandering.
Your 6.70x15 = a P205/70R15 or a P215/70R15.
I work with tires and truthfuly I wouldnt sell or recomend a trailer tire for a truck/car. As I said it will fit/work, but in the end it is a trailer tire so no warranty would apply, just as if you used a car tire for a trailer it will work in a pinch.
By no means am I saying your friend or people who run them are wrong, but I wouldnt do it

[blackedoutharley]

Actually the Yokohama RY215 is a commercial all position tire that is designed for light to medium duty commercial applications.

Be advised that this is an 8ply rated tire and as such when installed on a c-10 it will ride like a tank even at lower air pressures.

Given that you are okay with the dimensions of this tire (o.d.) I would strongly suggest going to a P235/75R15 radial by a reputable mfg.

The Yoko is 29.4" tall and the P235's are 28.9" tall.

According to Coker their 6.70X15 Firestone blackwall tire is 28.58" tall. By comparison a P205/75R15 is 27.2" tall and in my opinion (both as having owned several of these trucks over the years as well as 25 years & counting in the tire industry) it is too short for the application. I would also be concerned with the load carrying capacity of such a tire if you do any hauling or towing.

YMMV

[62ShortStep]

I see many folks are using the P205/75R15, and it makes sense for the 15x5 rims, but they do seem too short.

The P235/75R15 are taller, but their recommended rim size is larger than my 5" rims. What are the issues with using P235's on my 5" rims?

[raycow]

I run 700-15 bias tires because I like the look, but if I wanted a radial, I would get the RY215.

http://www.eautotires.com/product.php?id_product=10323

Ray

[62ShortStep]

Hey Ray...that looks pretty good!

[jocko]

Concur with slepysal - if you want stock size/look in a radial tire, then 205/215-70-15 is your tire of choice.

However, I'm a big proponent of the 75 series tire (on 60-66 trucks) - no fitment issues with 70 vs 75 series tire, that's just the aspect ratio. The 75 is a taller tire, fills up the wheelwell better. The fitment issue is in the "235" and it usually is shown as requiring a minimum 6" wide rim.

So, while I agree that, by the book, a 235-75-15 is normally listed as too wide for a 5.5" rim (your stock rim should be 5.5" wide, not 5.0" wide, I believe) - I did a little research on this site and now I run 235-75-15s on the stock steel 15x5.5" wheels with no problems at all. Several others on the site run 235-75s also, and talking to them is what made me feel like I wasn't setting myself up for problems by mounting the 235-75s on the 5.5" wheels. (and also, if you're looking for a blackwall, about the only tire I've found in that size (locally, anyway...) is the Primewell PS850 - it's a fairly cheap 40k mi tire, but it turned out ok for me.


here's what the 235-75s look like on the stock 5.5" wheels (tried to show from a few different angles):

[62ShortStep]

I borrowed one Yokohama 700R15 to fit-check it on my truck. The rear view shows the new 700R15 on the right side, and an old Toyo P235/75/R15 on the left.

My earlier belief that the Yoko was a trailer tire was wrong. it turns out that several people have used it successfully as a trailer tire, but it is a LT highway tire.

[markeb01]

Those certainly do have a stock appearing look. And welcome to the forum!

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Coker Tire - Your Source for Antique Tires and Wheels

www.cokertire.com/

Posted via Mobile Device

[blackedoutharley]

I stock 14 different tires in size P235/75R15.. They are available.

In 700R15 you might also look for the Sumitomo SL717..

[62ShortStep]

The Sumitomo SL717 looks almost just like a bias ply...hard to believe its a radial. It seems more pricey than the Yokohama though, and I cant find any real specs on it.

[blackedoutharley]

Originally Posted by 62ShortStep

The Sumitomo SL717 looks almost just like a bias ply...hard to believe its a radial. It seems more pricey than the Yokohama though, and I cant find any real specs on it.

I will get you the mfg specs....

[62ShortStep]

I ordered the Yoko's today. i appreciate the thought though.

[blackedoutharley]

No problem...

For future reference the Sumitomo's are indeed radials.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 62ShortStep

I try to make my cars/trucks as authentic as possible

You are not the only one that feels this way, but we are a bit underepresented in the hobby. Its always refreshing to see a clean representation of an original truck. Your truck is true to the slogan "For Economical Transportation" on the kick panel plate. Your truck looks great and I would have chosen the Yoko 7.00-15 R also. It is the closest to the original traditional truck tire look with the advantages of being a radial.

[register]

Originally Posted by 62ShortStep

This is my first post at this forum. I was given a 1962 C-10 that was partially restored several years ago. For better or for worse, I'm making this truck an authentic reliable driver.

Its time for tires. Since I try to make my cars/trucks as authentic as possible (sorry...I'm an anal retentive purist), I want tires that are close in size to the original 6.70x15's. The easy solution is to contact Coker or Universal or any of the other tire shops and buy a reproduction set. The problem is that I will be using this truck almost every day and I need a well handling safe truck.

There is a radial tire out there that is the same size as the original 670x15, and it's a radial too. Yokohama's 7R15 (it's actually a 700R15). The only weird thing is, its technically a trailer tire. This tire was recommended to me by a friend that is a competent manager of several large tire stores. Even the Tire Rack has a small review by a customer that used this tire for his vintage truck and car.

Has anyone used a tire like the Yokohama 7R15 for their truck? The whole idea is weird and I've never tried it, so if anyone has a comment I'd sure like to hear it.

Many thanks.
Gus C.
Fountain Valley, CA
1962 C-10
Short stepside
235, 3-speed.

Curious how are the Yokohama 7R15?
ride quality and performance?

Thinking about them for my 1970
bias ply firestone 820-15
or Yokohama 7R15

I know the difference in size but the only thing in a radial blackwall that looks the way....

Thanks in advance

[62ShortStep]

Yokohama's 7R15 is s great tire, no doubt.

The tires look great and the physical dimensions almost exactly match an original 6.70x15 bias tire. Even the tread pattern is a close match.

I dont like "Yokohama" written in large print in the sidewalls.

The truck steers like it has power steering. Fantastic!

Rolling resistance is low due to less road contact and high tire pressures...better gas mileage.

Braking is very good in dry weather.
Wet weather driving the narrow tires don't take much bite, especially at the light rear end (typical to most old pickups).

Speeds over 60 tend to cause more road wander than desired. I would not consider the truck to be 'hands-free' safe.

After driving about 15,000 miles on this set, there is almost no noticeable wear. I would buy these tires again.

Good luck.

[register]

Thanks for the reply!!!

[bonehead]

Is there a tire with a profile like the Yokohama 7R15 but with a narrow 1960's whitewall? I'm not looking for a whitewall more than 1 inch wide. And I don't want a whitewall that starts at the rim.

The white wall like this picture but with the vintage profile. I want to run them with a steel wheel and truck dog dish caps.

Any ideas??

[Irishbleueyes]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Is there a tire with a profile like the Yokohama 7R15 but with a narrow 1960's whitewall? I'm not looking for a whitewall more than 1 inch wide. And I don't want a whitewall that starts at the rim.

The white wall like this picture but with the vintage profile. I want to run them with a steel wheel and truck dog dish caps.

Any ideas??

I run a set of fake white walls that size from moon. Let the air out, use some bead seal on the tire, lay in the mickey (white wall) and air it up. Make sure it stays even as you air it up and your done. They look real and haven't had any trouble...

[Irishbleueyes]

Originally Posted by 62ShortStep

Yokohama's 7R15 is s great tire, no doubt.

The tires look great and the physical dimensions almost exactly match an original 6.70x15 bias tire. Even the tread pattern is a close match.

I dont like "Yokohama" written in large print in the sidewalls.

The truck steers like it has power steering. Fantastic!

Rolling resistance is low due to less road contact and high tire pressures...better gas mileage.

Braking is very good in dry weather.
Wet weather driving the narrow tires don't take much bite, especially at the light rear end (typical to most old pickups).

Speeds over 60 tend to cause more road wander than desired. I would not consider the truck to be 'hands-free' safe.

After driving about 15,000 miles on this set, there is almost no noticeable wear. I would buy these tires again.

Good luck.

Could you post up new pics with your 7R15 tires?

[62ShortStep]

Originally Posted by Irishbleueyes

Could you post up new pics with your 7R15 tires?

See post #8 for pics. Did you want to see other views?

[Irishbleueyes]

Originally Posted by 62ShortStep

See post #8 for pics. Did you want to see other views?

Yes, if you could, other views and up closer would be cool, thank you

[64fleetside]

Coker tire.