tires for 1941 Ford crash truck 9.00 x 18

[Grant Bowker]

The actual maker of many of the tires sold by Universal, Coker and other vintage tire sellers is Specialty Tires of America http://www.stausaonline.com/ They were the maker of the 1050-16 directional tires that we have discussed so much in the thread http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/sh...&threadid=2421 for example. There is no listing on their site for a 900-18 tire (interested to note that I didn't see the 1050-16 listed any more, perhaps they've sold all of the first run?).
If you can get friendly with someone at a large commercial tire seller, preferably an "old-timer" who can use a paper catalog and remembers what (and maybe more importantly where) he used to be able to buy unusual tires, you may be able to track down some original tires in the corner of a warehouse. Toronto is big enough, still with industry (not just administration), that this could work for you.
Also, you may want to try other forums aimed at commercial trucks and busses (and fire trucks). I suggest busses because I think that some busses in the 30s-40s used larger section 18 inch tires on the front to have capacity closer to the dual 20 inch tires at the rear while maintaining a similar diameter.
I remember photos of Ford 6x6 and 6x4 conversions for airfield use that were fitted with directional tread tires, size unknown. My memory is of a tire profile closer to commercial proportions than military. Next challenge is to find photos or references.

[TFS.capt]

I am waiting to hear from a wheel builder who is trying to weld the centre of the wheel into a new outer rim so I may convert to a conventional truck tire. It is too dangerous to work on the split rims and very hard to find 6 new tires. I will attach photos
1941[1].jpg
This is a similar vehicle.

[Bob Carriere]

...... my 5 cents worth..... there is absolutely nothing wrong or dangerous with the original rims as long as the person working with/on them is competent........ most professional truck tire shop know how do install the tires properly.

It might have been cheaper to track down 18 inch Gamma Goat military bar thread tires but then they would not be any more original than modern tires a lot depends on how many tens of thousands of miles you intend to drive per year.

Good luck on the restoration.

Bob C.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by TFS.capt

I am waiting to hear from a wheel builder who is trying to weld the centre of the wheel into a new outer rim so I may convert to a conventional truck tire.

Hi John,

Welcome to this forum!

If I were you I would source six 20" wheels, as Fords were delivered with that size too and truck tyres in that size are plentiful. That way you can keep the 18" wheels, in case some 18" tyres turn up.

Here are some more pics of survivors of your type of truck: http://www.geocities.com/marmonherri...truck_cdn.html

Regards,
Hanno

[gordon]

The Ford conversions that had duals had 20" rims on, the big single tyre option was 8.25 x 18, as found on my MH -Ford SnoGo.

I actually have one NOS 8.25 x 18 tyre here in Scotland, and I own another two that are in the US I haven't had picked up.

I wonder if your truck had 8.25 x 18 tyres originally?