Answer for Dave on '48 Ford F-7 Wheels

Posted by Truckdog62563 on October 19, 2006 at 15:38:53 from (70.226.221.211):

Back in September Dave asked if wheels exist that he can use to replace the "widow maker" split rims on his '48 Ford F-7. I was out of town and away from my books, so here's an answer. Bad news first. Ford is the only one shown in Hollander that used 8 bolt wheels with a 10" bolt circle. The F-7 used a 20" x 6.5" wide wheel, and the F-8 used a 20" x 7" inch wheel. F-7s and F-8s could also be had with Dayton style spoke wheels. Now the good news. My 1949 Budd catalog shows that they made both "split rim" wheels (widow makers), which used their R-5* style mounting rim, and "split ring" or lock ring style that used their LW style outer locking ring. These lock ring type wheels can still be serviced by truck shops. It's essential that they air them up in a cage, but once together they tend to stay together unless they're stucturally damaged or badly rusted. The Budd catalog also shows that they made this wheel in a 7.5" width too, probably for special use applications. Also good news, Hollander shows that Ford used this wheel up through 1956. Budd part numbers to help in your junk yard search are: 49770-D3 for the 20" x 6.5"; 49530-D3 for the 20" x 7"; and 60890-D3 for the 20" x 7.5". The Budd part numbers are generally on the rim's edge on the concave side of the wheel, usually opposite the valve stem. I guess another option is to convert to Dayton style spoke wheels if you can find the donor truck. Hope that helps. Stu

Follow Ups:

• Re: Answer for Dave on '48 Ford F-7 Wheels Truckdog62563 03:58:08 10/20/06 (4)
  • Re: Re: Answer for Dave on '48 Ford F-7 Wheels Truckdog62563 08:35:56 10/24/06 (0)
  • Re: Re: Answer for Dave on '48 Ford F-7 Wheels big fred 20:31:59 10/20/06 (2)
    • Re: Re: Re: Answer for Dave on '48 Ford F-7 Wheels Truckdog62563 04:12:28 10/21/06 (1)
      • Re: Re: Re: Re: Answer for Dave on '48 Ford F-7 Wh Dave 16:39:11 10/27/06 (0)

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