What were the original rim sizes for a 1956 F-100? I'm looking to make mine totally stock again and could get a set of stock 16"x5" rims. What I'm wondering about is the question of the side mounted spare rack and cupped fender I have. Does anyone know if the trucks with side mounts came with 16" rims/tires. Rims alone measure 17.5 across ie. a 16" rim. it just seems the tire/rim set up would be too tall or big to squeeze into fender cup..
Thanks for input

 

16x5 was a stock rim size, so as long as you have the stock 6.00x16 or even the optional 6.50x16 tire (or similar diameter modern size), it should fit fine on the sidemount bracket and into the fender cutout. Rim size really doesn't come into play there. It's all about the diameter of the tire.

 

The wheel size on 56 F-100 was 15 inch. Ford made a big deal about this since 55 and earlier were 16 inch. This was also the first year they had tubeless tires....

 

Question; was 16" wheels not an option though? I'm not the 56 expert, but I thought 16" wheels still could be had on the F-100 for years following. I know my Dad's 63 did. If so, that would still allow Dylan to use the wheels he's found and still be considered original.

 

15" wheels (B5C-1015-A) & tubeless tires were introduced in 1955.

Optional 5 lug 5.50" bolt pattern 16" wheels: 1955/79 F100 / 1966/79 Bronco / 1975/79 F150.

However: Some 1965/66's, all 1967 and later 15 & 16 inch rims use "outie" hubcaps, so the "innie" hubcaps used on 1948/64, some 1965/66's cannot be used.

Outie: So called because the hubcaps snap over tabs located on the OUTSIDE of the wheels center section.

Innie: So called because the hubcaps snap over tabs or riveted clips located on the INSIDE of the wheels center section.

B7C-16313-B (replaced BAAA-16313-B) .. Left Rear Fender-Includes tire well / Obsolete.

Applications: 1953/79 F100 / 1975/79 F150.

1953/56 & 1957/79 Flaresides: There are several different spare tire carriers-depends on the wheelbases, years and wheel sizes.