The tires for the truck are tube tires in a size of 17 by 7.5. That is a size that is not in general use these days. Of course, there is one manufacturer who makes the obsolete tires, for a price. Restoration correct tires are $230 each plus $30 for the tube. They are available online at www.Cokertire.com. I asked my salesman at Discount Tire if he could order these. He suggested I find some recent wheels that will fit the hub and buy tubeless truck tires. These would cost $120 each. Also, they will ride better. (Another easy decision not to restore this thing as original.)
By the way, this is a one ton truck so it has 8 lug wheels (8 lug by 6.5 to be exact). These wheels were popular until Ford and GM went to metric sizes in the 1990s (8 by 170mm). Just different enough so nothing will fit. So, I began looking for a set of rims that would fit. After a week of looking, I found a set of alloy rims in 16 by 8 that fit the lug pattern. I got the set of 4 for $150, then spent $600 on tires (Cooper 10 ply truck radials). Looks like a good fit so we are ready to go. I decided to keep the original rims in case I can sell them in the future.
The journey continues.
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