Lotsa T-cab questions

[wolfie]

Hi all, I am budgeting some stuff on the 64 1/2 ton T-cab I just bought and need some info please. Do these trucks use the same 195/75-15 tires as a current replacement the cars do? I know it needs one and I expect all 4 before we attempt to drive it home. It has no spare, Does it use the same wheel as the cars? Where can I find a cab corner? I thought I saw them listed recently but I cant find them now. Does anyone have a chart that shows the lube points on it they could somehow share with me? I will buy manuals for it when I get it home and recover financially from that endeavor. Thanks,Steve

[JeffDeWitt]

Depends on the wheels, mine has 16" wheels. Find out what size tires it has now and we can give you a better answer, you can also check this table to find a modern size equivalent to what the truck has if it his really old tires on it.

http://www.vintagecarconnection.com/...sion_chart.htm

Buying new tires before you drive it home is very smart, I made that mistake once and the drive home was quite a bit more interesting than it should have been! (two flats on a 100 mile drive).

Jeff DeWitt
http://carolinastudes.net

[doug]

Does not use the same wheels as cars, different bolt pattern.

[wolfie]

Thanks, I will ask if they are 15 or 16" when I talk to him again. Thanks,Steve

[Warren Webb]

The bolt pattern is the same as late 60's early 70's Cadillacs, Buick Electra 225's & Olds 98's. I believe its a 5" pattern, providing its a 5 lug bolt pattern. My truck originally had the 16" wheels with the skinny truck tires but steers alot easier with the wide 15" radials that are on it now. Thats not saying its easy to steer when your parking! Thats why I am going to attempt a power steering conversion on it. Now your 64 has the steering setup that can accept a modified Hawk power steering unit that Dave T-bow sells. After your finances recover you might test your strength & decide that may be the way to go or not.

60 Lark convertible
61 Champ
62 Daytona convertible
63 G.T. R-2,4 speed
63 Avanti (2)
66 Daytona Sport Sedan

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by wolfie

Hi all, I am budgeting some stuff on the 64 1/2 ton T-cab I just bought and need some info please. Do these trucks use the same 195/75-15 tires as a current replacement the cars do? I know it needs one and I expect all 4 before we attempt to drive it home. It has no spare, Does it use the same wheel as the cars? Where can I find a cab corner? I thought I saw them listed recently but I cant find them now. Does anyone have a chart that shows the lube points on it they could somehow share with me? I will buy manuals for it when I get it home and recover financially from that endeavor. Thanks,Steve

You most likely won't find P195x75x15 tires, but in my opinion they are way too small for a truck anyhow. Your truck rims are wider than Lark rims (can't remember how much though) so you can easily go to P215x75x15s. They will be much closer in diameter to the original size (6.70x15).
BTW, you made one heck of a buy especially considering the extra apparently running 289 and the topper which could actually be an original Studebaker Conestoga topper (can't tell from the pix). It's also a deluxe cab (chrome grille and sliding rear window). It also looks as if it may have the correct radio which is pretty rare too. Those bed floors are very weak and are usually really beat up. That truck doesn't appear to have seen abuse. '64s have much better brakes than 7E and earlier models. The steering wheel may be from a Lark (the trucks didn't have horn rings) and the door panels are probably Lark as the 8E models had kind of ugly pink panels- certainly not problems- I put '61 Cruiser red and black panels in my '64 Champ. Only real downsides I see are (1) the tranny is probably a stump puller and the gearing is going to be really low and (2) the 8E steering system, IMHO, is really Mickey Mouse and poorly designed.




Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[Transtar60]

I have 235 75R's on the front of my 7E7 Champ.
They might be a tad large but never had any problem with tire rub etc.
The stock rims 15" x6 inch. 5 on 5 bolt pattern

Other makes rims may or may not fit the unique brake drums as there is a ridge that may prevent more common brand x rims from sitting square on drum.
Certain full size GM van wheels from 80's/90's will fit the unique drum.


3E38
4E2
4E28
5E13
7E7
8E7
8E12
8E28

59 Lark
etc

[wolfie]

Thanks guys,I have e-mailed the seller a few more questions including the wheel questions and should hear back soon. If they are working for you and fit my wheels I will use the 235/75s. I wont be towing anything heavy with this truck and intend to change the gearing when I get it home but its going to be a bummer for the drive home. I had planned to just change the rear end gear. Will I likely need a trans change also for a decent driver/cruiser? I will hit a junkyard near the truck for GM van wheels and see what they have. How can I identify the ones I need? Thanks,Steve

[Clem64]

Steve:

If you think you might ever be hauling anything in it consider putting on LT rated tires. After all, it is a truck.

Dean Croft
Roseburg,OR

CLEM DESEE

[Transtar60]

quote:Originally posted by wolfie

Thanks guys,I have e-mailed the seller a few more questions including the wheel questions and should hear back soon. If they are working for you and fit my wheels I will use the 235/75s. I wont be towing anything heavy with this truck and intend to change the gearing when I get it home but its going to be a bummer for the drive home. I had planned to just change the rear end gear. Will I likely need a trans change also for a decent driver/cruiser? I will hit a junkyard near the truck for GM van wheels and see what they have. How can I identify the ones I need? Thanks,Steve

These numbers are on the wheels
Hydramatic 15 x7 JJ T DOT H189 87 1B. On them I run 235x75R-15's with no problems.



3E38
4E2
4E28
5E13
7E7
8E7
8E12
8E28

59 Lark
etc

[wolfie]

quote:Originally posted by Transtar60

quote:Originally posted by wolfie

Thanks guys,I have e-mailed the seller a few more questions including the wheel questions and should hear back soon. If they are working for you and fit my wheels I will use the 235/75s. I wont be towing anything heavy with this truck and intend to change the gearing when I get it home but its going to be a bummer for the drive home. I had planned to just change the rear end gear. Will I likely need a trans change also for a decent driver/cruiser? I will hit a junkyard near the truck for GM van wheels and see what they have. How can I identify the ones I need? Thanks,Steve

Thanks, That makes like easier. Steve
These numbers are on the wheels
Hydramatic 15 x7 JJ T DOT H189 87 1B. On them I run 235x75R-15's with no problems.



3E38
4E2
4E28
5E13
7E7
8E7
8E12
8E28

59 Lark
etc

Thanks,That will make life easier. Steve

[Ron Dame]

My '63 1/2 ton wears 205-75-15's. It's still heavy to steer, even with a rebuilt steering box, new tie rod ends, drag link, etc, it's the nature of the beast.but I believe it to be as close to correct as any modern tire. As others have said, you'll have fit problems with many wheels, besides a ridge on the brake drum, the center hole is much larger than many cars.

On the cab corners, I don't know of any for a T-cab/ They exist for the C cab, though, maybe that's what you recall seeing.
Send me your email addy and I'll scan the lube chart for you.

Ron
rondame@bellsouth.net

quote:Originally posted by wolfie

Hi all, I am budgeting some stuff on the 64 1/2 ton T-cab I just bought and need some info please. Do these trucks use the same 195/75-15 tires as a current replacement the cars do? I know it needs one and I expect all 4 before we attempt to drive it home. It has no spare, Does it use the same wheel as the cars? Where can I find a cab corner? I thought I saw them listed recently but I cant find them now. Does anyone have a chart that shows the lube points on it they could somehow share with me? I will buy manuals for it when I get it home and recover financially from that endeavor. Thanks,Steve

Ron Dame
'63 Champ

[StudeRich]

quote:Originally posted by wolfie

If they are working for you and fit my wheels I will use the 235/75s.

It should be noted here that MOST are using P205X75R15 on 1/2 Tons.

I think you will find that the P215X75R15 which are already one size oversize, or if you really want FAT, the P225X75R15 will be more than adequate and steer easier than the 235's which are way overkill for the Truck, the Wheels and the geometry of the King Pin Suspension and the Steering system in the Truck. [:0]

StudeRich

[wolfie]

quote:Originally posted by Ron Dame

My '63 1/2 ton wears 205-75-15's. It's still heavy to steer, even with a rebuilt steering box, new tie rod ends, drag link, etc, it's the nature of the beast.but I believe it to be as close to correct as any modern tire. As others have said, you'll have fit problems with many wheels, besides a ridge on the brake drum, the center hole is much larger than many cars.

On the cab corners, I don't know of any for a T-cab/ They exist for the C cab, though, maybe that's what you recall seeing.
Send me your email addy and I'll scan the lube chart for you.

Ron
rondame@bellsouth.net

Ron Dame
'63 Champ
[/quote]

Thanks Ron,E-mail sent. You must be right about the cab corners. I thought I saw them advertised recently in TW but now all I find is C-cab stuff. In standard farm truck fashion the seller says it has a mixture of tire sizes and some may be bias/some are definately radials but all are 15's. I plan to buy a complete set before I leave Kansas. From all I am reading it seems I have a good range of popular modern sizes that will work. Steve

[Ron Dame]

I'll scan and email in the morning!

quote:Originally posted by wolfie

quote:Originally posted by Ron Dame

My '63 1/2 ton wears 205-75-15's. It's still heavy to steer, even with a rebuilt steering box, new tie rod ends, drag link, etc, it's the nature of the beast.but I believe it to be as close to correct as any modern tire. As others have said, you'll have fit problems with many wheels, besides a ridge on the brake drum, the center hole is much larger than many cars.

On the cab corners, I don't know of any for a T-cab/ They exist for the C cab, though, maybe that's what you recall seeing.
Send me your email addy and I'll scan the lube chart for you.

Ron
rondame@bellsouth.net

Ron Dame
'63 Champ

Thanks Ron,E-mail sent. You must be right about the cab corners. I thought I saw them advertised recently in TW but now all I find is C-cab stuff. In standard farm truck fashion the seller says it has a mixture of tire sizes and some may be bias/some are definately radials but all are 15's. I plan to buy a complete set before I leave Kansas. From all I am reading it seems I have a good range of popular modern sizes that will work. Steve
[/quote]

Ron Dame
'63 Champ