From what we can gather, we have the following;

Ford OEM Number: B5Y-1007-B
I.D. Number [stamped]: 68600-1
Diameter: 17"
Width: 5.50"
Lug: 6
Bolt Pattern: 7.25"
Use w/ SRW

The wonderful "widowmakers"... split-rims, apparently having one tire choice available these days [from Coker].

We have located a shop that will use the original wheel centers, and can mate them up to a 16" / 16.5" / 17" outer wheel.


Question:

Taking into account originality, appearance, safety, availablity & popularity what would be the best/ preferred choice for the wheel diameter?

The style of tire would preferably be an "All Terrain" design, since we wish to keep the appearance "beefy"/ "manly"... I think you know what we mean.

We don't need $300 tires... the truck will not be driven 10,000 per annum... we simply are debating the best options to be found at most tires shops - consistently.

Anyone care to give us feedback?

As well, if anyone has a spare rim in their collection, we would be glad to make a deal [preferably somewhere in SoCal]. Thanks for your consideration & input.


Update [20AUG16]...

It would appear that even being able to build the appropriate wheel will not get us that much further down the road...

As in, what is able to be done regarding the brake drums [rear or front]?
We see that the applicable rear drum [C2TZ-1126-D; thanks, as always, to Number Dummy] is - pretty much - history.
The front drums we have yet to identify, and will likely find these also being unavailable.


A] We can get the wheels made...
B] We can't locate brake drums...
C] I have yet to find anyone ever just swapping out the axle shafts & hubs [for a NAPCO conversion]...
D] Respline the axle shafts [that are 60+ years old]...
D] Swapping out complete axles really defeats the "originality" factor...
E] Yet it will never be a museum piece...


This F35 Napco is sweet... it would just be a little sweeter if the solutions don't derail ride.

Am I wrong in assuming the best-case scenario is swapped out [later-model/ modern] axles?

Or is it a better/ simpler scenario to swap just the guts [shafts/ hubs/ brake assemblies]?

Note; we have yet to contact various axle shops here in L.A., where there are plenty up to the task... we will be doing so in the coming week.

I'm sure if it's been done, it's been done around here [but it's just a little new to us].

Please, share your experiences with these issues... thanks, again, for your participation.


For the curious, here is a bit more about the actual vehicle;


081,223.7 MILES

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER [VIN]:

WARRANTY NUMBER: F35CR330225

F35 F-350
C 292 2V V8 [1961/1964]
R San Jose, CA
330225 September, 1962


RATING PLATE:
W.B. 132
COLOR J
MODEL F350
BODY 81A
TRANS F
AXLE 23


MAX G.V.W. LBS 9800
NET H.P. 135
R.P.M. 3800
D.S.O. 740044


J Body Color [Rangoon Red]
81A Body Type/ Style [Standard Cab]
F Transmission [4-Speed Manual]
23 Rear Axle [Spicer/Dana 70/ 5.13-1/ 17400#]
74 District Code Number [Seattle, WA District Sales Office]
0044 Order Number [Non-Special Order, purchased off of the lot]

Also has installed a PTO unit...



Coming home... only in SoCal, a '63 Split-Window passing a '63 F350 Napco - more than 50 years after either were built.



Size does matter...



Let's play musical beds...

 

I like Cooper AT's and Michelin personally. They're well priced and wear long for me on my daily driver. If you're looking for something even cheaper Laufenn is a good choice--they're the cheaper brand from Hankook so there's a reputable brand behind them. Like how Mastercraft is Cooper's cheaper brand, still good tires from a reputable company.

Avoid any of the Chinese imported tires with an odd duck name that you haven't ever heard of. I do product liability insurance for a living and I've seen horrible claims come from some of these. Westlake is one of the Chinese brands that comes to mind, they suffered horrible tread separation and were dangerous.

 

The 17" center disc fits cleanly into a new tubeless 17" drop center outer rim and allows you to retain the original look. We've seen these done by Stockton Wheel and they look nice, and the guys who had them done seem happy with them. Stockton Wheel is now under new ownership following Frank's death.

The 17" traction tire you mentioned is made by Tornel and is the only one presently available. Available from Coker and others. It measures 34" as original in the 7.50-17" bias tube type size. IIRC they sell for about $170.

I would avoid the 16.5" like the plague. The only way to get anything near 34" tall is to go with a really wide outer rim that won't look original. The straight 16" would look near original but would be shorter at 32" assuming you'd go with a 7.50-16". You'd have more traction tire options with this, and could go radial with a 235/85R16". About the same diameter as the 7.50-16".

I'm glad you're not trying to keep the Budd 68600s in service. Of course, living in CA you might not even have that choice. Stu

Edit - one our Nebraska members just switched his truck to 19.5s and has his widow makers taking up space. He might be willing to pull a center to send to you. Stu

 

Several choices, but we seem to come back to the following;

LT255/85R16

16" x 7" Rim... ends up being about 33" Tall.

I am of the belief that sticking with a 17" Rim would likely not result in more choices... same for 16.5".

Again, your input and feedback are welcome

 

Would much appreciate such... we really will need a spare!

 

I'll do him a pm and ask him to drop by. Stu

 

Hi,these are the split rim "Widowmakers" Stu is talking about. I have 5 of them. They are 17" x 5.5" wide, have 1/2" of positive offset, 6 lug x 7.25" bolt pattern. The tires are no longer on the rim. I've been told they can take the center out and remount them in a drop rim. Sorry I don't have any other pictures at this time. If you are interested shoot me a PM. Dave

 

are these these the ring type or 2 piece split rim?

 

Split rim. Breaks in the middle. Stu

 

For reference here's my 63 f250 with bfg LT255/85/R16's. I like them.

 

sgettin...

Yeah, that's the look we're wanting to achieve. This rare beast my brother acquired seems to be a bit troublesome. As in, I tried to convince him to go w/ a later model - modern - drivetrain placed underneath his F100.

Instead, we've opened up a can of worms with his latest acquisition... 8 lugs make us jealous.

Thanks for posting that pic.

 

Yeah the rare beast being pre-65 is a bit of a hand full to deal with but to be honest I've come around alot. I like the old school aspect of it, it's slow, simple, kinda a ******* to drive (you have to drive it or it will drive you lol), and rides like a corn wagon but it is what it is, definately 1963 technology and I figure if I want to drive a nice new truck- I'll buy one. It is quite the time capsule and I like that definately not going to upgrade anything.
You do have a bit of a rare beast yourself. That f350 napco is a hell of a nice looking 4x4 and I like the bed that's on it in the pictures you posted. I think the 33's on my f250 might look too small on your f350.

good luck.