Hi! We are going to go look at a 1948 F-6 this weekend!! I am SUPER EXCITED!! She is original with 53,000 miles. Runs but needs some carb work and new tires. Sooooooo I have a question, after doing some reading on here (awesome forum by the way) I see the wheels can be an issue to get a shop to put new tires on her. I am an all original kinda person and I am a bit worried this could be a big issue? Or am I just worrying too much? As far as intros, I also have a 2002 F-150 that I love, Blue is my baby. Hubby has a ford fusion as his company car. He has a 1947 John Deere model G tractor and I have a 1948 Ford 8N tractor. And when I saw this 48 F-6 I knew she needs to come live with us so she can haul my tractor to shows and parades!! Any other suggestions on what we should look for/check when we go try the truck this weekend? Thanks ya'll!

 

Plan on changing the wheels if they are widow makers.
You'll want to know that an F600 is a 45 (maybe 50 on a good day) MPH work horse. The bigger trucks aren't for everybody. I really like Albatross, our '55 F500. Would not change for a smaller truck.

 

Welcome Bayhorse!

Split rim wheels are dangerous and cannot be safely used. Either google ford split rim wheels or check out the site from a Bob, a member here: Ford two piece rims

There are numerous threads that you can find using the Search this Forum feature on the right side of the blue bar on the upper portion of the forum home page.

We'll need pics, by the way.

DW

 

Yep, I have been doing A LOT of reading! LOL!! I won't really know what is on the truck until we see her this weekend but from what the guy tells us it does have "split rims". I would assume they are the older original "widow makers" I did put a pic in my album... I can try to upload a pic here as well...

Not sure if that worked... More reading to do...

[/IMG]

 

oh yeah, I know... I plan on goin' no where fast!!

 

That is a nice looking truck, but PLEASE, don't even think about keeping the widowmakers.

 

That's one handsome truck. Grain boxes usually have a dump mechanism. Albatross' bed is 13' long. These trucks look good to me with big wheels. There are 22.5" wheels available. I think Stu may still have some, with tires, for a fair price. Shipping them cost effectively takes some homework.

 

Thanks Joe, yeah the more I am reading the more I am thinking original is good but being SAFE is better!!

 

Jeremy, yep, she has a dump bed, works too! He said he doesn't have the tailgate, no biggie for now. I will check with Stu if we purchase the truck. 22.5" sounds nice. I do like Big tires.

 

Welcome to FTE! That is one beauty of a truck. I hope you get it.
This forum has tons of experts. We also have multiple opinions on just about everything. Shoot half the time one person will have multiple opinions here. But the one thing that I have never heard disagreements on is the Widowmakers.

 

Oh come on now. You haven't bought it yet??? Oh, I forgot to mention, another thing we are very good at. Helping other members spend their money.

 

Assuming the wheels are the RH-5° widow makers, as appears to be the case from the pic, replacement 20" side ring/locking ring wheels from an older Ford or from a wide range of Dodges or IHCs would keep the truck purely original. Tubeless 22.5s or 19.5s are, however, more trouble free alternatives. But finding them quickly in NM might be a challenge. I can help with 19.5s, or a few others here might have 22.5s available, if shipping doesn't scare you. Stu

 

Stu, my hubby says he used to drive an old dodge that had the side ring wheels... If those are the closest to original I might consider them if they are safer and I can find a truck shop to do the work on them. Hubby says he used to put them in a cage to air them up. I have a feeling we will be contacting you about tires/wheels. Shipping doesn't scare me, the price might! LOL!!! However hubby works in Texas and Oklahoma, so maybe we could pick them up there... Save a few states in between!

 

I've driven through the southwest taking back roads and have found great old yards. Not sure where you are in NM, but south of Alamogardo there are several big yards. Stu

 

thanks Joe, I appreciate the help and I am sure hoping I get it too!!! isn't she just a beauty! and I don't mind opinions... I am a native Texan... we all have our opinions!! LOL!!! and we are a bit loud, full of stories and usually have big hair. Plus, we are the kindest, sweetest people too! (in case there are other Texans on here... wouldn't want to upset any apple carts on my first day!) And for the record, I am proud to be a Texan!