Looking for wheels to replace on a 1940 1-1/2 ton Stakebed truck I recently picked up. They are the 5 lug x 8" pattern and I've only found one place that has new ones and they are more than we want to put into it. Otherwise am considering changing out the axle and front end but really want to keep it as much original as possible.
Any suggestions or ideas?

 

The wheels that came on your truck when new, if that's what is still on it, can still be kept in service if they aren't damaged, badly rusted, etc. The originals would have either Firestone or Goodyear side ring (also called lock ring) rims where you will see a separate rim lip on the face side of the wheel. These are not the hyper dangerous "widow maker" rims that came on the market in the late 1940s. You might Google the term Firestone RH-5° to see what widow makers look like.

If you have them, or simply want to upgrade to one piece tubeless wheels there are solutions. Either 19.5" or 22.5" wheels are available. There are ads in the FTE classifieds listing them for sale . Stu

 

Appreciate the info...I took one by a local tire store Saturday and they said they wouldn't touch them as the guy said they were the split rims (widow-makers). I'll take a look at the reference you gave me as the ones I have are pretty rusted.

 

This is a widow maker.

 

A tire shop that does farm equipment or construction equipment should be able to handle non widow maker split rims without a problem as long as the rims are serviceable. The option that I use on all 3 of my '40 1 1/2 tons are the 19.5 tubeless rims off a Dodge motorhome (M400/M500?). They are a direct bolt on and with 8x19.5 tires they look right but don't use the lower profile 70 series 19.5 tires - too low, IMO.
Tim

 

Thanks for all the help! I think we've got the wheels figured out. Suspect we will be asking more as we get more into the project.

 

That's a beautiful looking fridge truck in your avatar. Any pictures? and of course some of your 40 1 1/2 tons.

 

Still learning how to navigate the forum…so apologies if this doesn't post properly. We picked up the F600 a few years ago from a friend and they had restored it previously from a Fire Truck and switched it to a flatbed. Had some problems with the engine and found an old y-block on CL and had it cleaned, rebored and we rebuilt it adding a 4bbl Edelbrock Carb. It's running good now and we enjoy running it in parades or just going for a weekend drive. Will try to attach some pics to this post. Also added the same pics to my "Garage" earlier today.

 

Please take a critical look at the wheels on the F-600, they are widow makers. Stu

 

Will do..have done more research and understand the concerns.

 

Yeah, Stu, they are widow makers....so we'll be looking around to replace them in the future. Meanwhile, here are a couple pics of the '40 project we're starting. Obviously a long way to go but we're looking forward to it.

 

Love the 41 look... always thought it would make a great looking 4x4!!!

 

From the shaded turn indicators (which are valuable onto themselves), I wonder whether it has military history. Great potential. Stu

 

I've looked around at various pictures and also several parts places and have seen very little of the shaded turn indicators. The headlights and turn signals really help make the front of the truck. We picked it up from a guy that restores Chevrolet's of the same vintage and he had picked it up from a local farming family. Not sure of the history beyond that.

 

My '42 is ex-military, but I don't think the '40/41 body was ever used by the U.S. military. (The German's did manufacture this body style in Europe all through the war.) Some civilian trucks were pressed into service early in the war until production caught up. Look for data plates or stenciling on top of OD Paint. Nice project. Good luck with it.