New tires- Letters out or in?

[OldD200]

Getting a new set of 235/85/16 Firestones for my old D200 today. This is the truck I use to haul trash, wood, etc as well as make parts runs and such. It has a /6 and 435 with 4.10s. I’m mounting the new tires on a set of 1 piece 8 lug rims I had painted Sand Dune White a short time ago. Someday, depending on how the resto of my 68 PW goes, I’ll paint her Arctic Blue like my Dad’s old 66 D100.

The truck is knid of a mutt, starting out as a 68, and now being a pie plate. When I swapped the cab, I put new floors in, so the body is now solid. I’m installing a re-built slant very soon, so the old girl continues to get stronger.

Question- should I mount the new Firestones white letters in or out?


Thanks,

Scott in SC

[tampadodge]

It sounds like the old truck has served you well. Give her some dignity and keep the white letters facing in.

[OldD200]

Well, here we go. Came out good I thought. Come to find out the Firestone Transforce HTs don’t come in with white letters! I would have gone for the black wall anyway. Rides quieter and smooth as silk!

The Sand Dune makes the rattle can white grill and bumper look way too bright. I’m swapping for a much better front bumper soon anyway, and might try my hand at painting bumpers and grill.

Now just got to get the newer style dog dish hub caps touched up.

Scott

[Hobcobble]

That's an awfully nice looking truck!
It has an excellent stance with those
new tires. You can't go wrong with
black sidewalls.
John

[medic1241]

Thanks for the info on your thoughts on white rims. I was thinking of white rims with the dark blue on my W200. I may go with black rims, front and rear bumper as well as painting the grill black. I am still entertaining ideas on a color scheme if black looks bad. Mike

[DocsTruck]

Your truck does look good. Mine had black sidewall tires on it until a few years ago. When I got the new tires, I decided to go with a white letter tire. I like the sporty look of the white letter, but I think next time I will put some white walls back on the truck. Here are a couple of pics of mine with black walls and white letter tires.

[OldD200]

John, you’re much too kind. Selling off my red 68 Adventurer has allowed me to make some progress on the other two. Thanks for being my sounding board.

Mike, I’m a white bumper, grill and wheel guy for the most part. Thought I’d post a picture of my old 67 CS so you could check out the dark blue/white color combo. I gravitate toward the more original “resto mod” look. Bottom line, make it the way you like it!

I’m constantly amazed at the different appearance and personalities these trucks have. For example, my 62 D100 Ute looks like a different type of truck next to the D200. The physical dimensions of the cab even look smaller.

Doc, I must say that half ton looks sporty with the white letters out. No doubt the right choice. I love a 68

Scott

My old 67 CS

67 CS Rear.jpg (8.23 KiB) Viewed 560 times

[CSS-Registry]

White walls look so right on these trucks as well... Though i do like the looks of your black walls.





Ben

[wally426ci]

Great looking trucks Scott!!

I need to get some sand dune locally and get painting... Did you find a paint code? I know this has been a subject in the past.

[OldD200]

Wally,

The paint guys at my local NAPA are really good. They ended up calling the manufacturer to get the correct information. The paint crosses to the Ford color “Corinthian White”. I would think getting someone to mix a batch would be no issue with this information. One additional bit of information, the gent who did my blasting and painting said the NAPA paint was very high quality and worked really well for him.

Scott

[wally426ci]

Excellent. Thanks!

[Jims68]

I voted for the letters OUT. Maybe I am just old fashioned... but it seems that when the black walls are out it looks like you couldn't afford the lettered tires!

Jim