I'll need a spare tire for my truck and am looking for an 8-lug wheel. The hub hole has to be 5" in diameter to clear the rear hub which I think rules out many of the newer style wheels. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Does anyone know a source or alternate application of wheel that fits our 3/4 ton trucks? I'd prefer to buy a new one if possible. Did see a rusty used one on E-Bay but I'd rather not chance having the rust cause a slow leak over time.

Anyway...any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Tom

 

There's been plenty of discussions about what wheels will fit our trucks, I think Ford had the same bolt pattern up until the late '90s. I'm not sure of the exact cut off. Do a search of this board. Stu, Truckdog, has posted a lot of information about wheels for all trucks.

 

I believe you have a variety of options. Your stock F-2 wheels are 16" x 6", Ford #7RD 1015B. Supplied by Kelsey-Hayes, part number 31282. They have a 4.78" (4 25/32") center hole, .560" positive offset/dish, and have an 8.844" "innie" hub cap mounting circle. They use 60° cone nuts. They would use a 7.50 x 16" bias or radial tire. I don't know of any that are available right now.

A wheel the would work well and have as near a stock appearance as is possible would be the 17.5" x 5.25" wheel that was first offered on F-250s in 1956. These are either of three Budd numbers, 70720, 73240, or 86980. These have the same above technical description as the OEM 16s. With an exception being the 86980 that uses 90° cone nuts. All of these will accept the stock hub caps. These use 8-17.5"/8R17.5" tires that are close in size to the stock 7.50 x 16s. Two of our members (Josh and Mark) I know have several for sale in the classifieds. Don't think that a 17.5" is a larger wheel than a 16", it is not. Actually they are a fraction smaller. Just a difference in the industry specs.

If use of stock hub caps is not a concern, any 16" F-250 wheel from 1996 or earlier (or 1997 HD model) will fit. These may be wider than stock but will fit and work fine. And should be plentiful in local yards. As you said a Chevy wheel might not have a big enough center hole, but a Dodge or IHC wheel will if that's what you find.

Below are links to the FTE classified page for the 17.5" wheels. And links to the Universal Tire site for 7.50 x 16" and 8-17.5" tires. Stu

Ford Truck Parts for Sale - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

https://www.universaltire.com/truck-...transport.html

https://www.universaltire.com/truck-...transport.html

 

Thanks, both of you. I now have some good info to work with.


Tom

 

Hey Tom,

I have this wheel you can have for the price of shipping. It has the nubs on the outside. It should clean up decently for a spare. It was on a 52 F2 that I parted out.







EDIT: I forgot to check if it's 16". I'll measure it when I get home.

 

Hello Illya, That wheel would work for me if it's 16".
Yes, I'm interested - it's a match to my current ones on the truck.
I'll PM you about it.

Thanks again everyone, Tom