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Agree it might be snug, but doubt there's anything to be concerned about. Unless it would be bending a rim in an Illinois pothole. Would assume 1950FordF3 (who lives in CA, do they have potholes in CA?) visited Wheel Vintiques and took them a drum to test fit. That'd be a big help to ensure the desired fit. Stu
In the latter part of 1951 Ford switched F-3s from the Lockheed style rear brakes having 14" drums and parking brake at each corner, and began use of Bendix style 12" brakes teamed with the parking brake drum located on the transmission. They retained the widow maker 17" wheels on F-3s. The garden variety oem 16" F-250/350 wheels fit your 1952 for that reason. Stu
My 1949 F3 factory rear axle end looks different (my 1950 F2 also looks just like my F3). I wonder if 1950FordF3's truck had a rear axle swap (DANA 60?) at some point over the years that 1950FordF3 may not know about. It is a restored truck. 1950FordF3, could you post a picture of the rear differential housing?
OK - so to beat a dead horse: I have a 49 F3 and need tires and tubes, so is it safe to say we (who have these trucks) can purchase these rims and they will fit over the rear brakes and install tubeless tires on them? (Please be kind!!!)
Maybe. Be nice to know for sure, with pics, that the truck has its stock Timken and not a Dana. And a confirmation that W.V.s test fit their rim and center disc to the 14" drum to achieve the needed offset. Hopefully then W.V. saved their build specs. These are not a standard catalog offering. Stu
My 1949 F3 factory rear axle end looks different (my 1950 F2 also looks just like my F3). I wonder if 1950FordF3's truck had a rear axle swap (DANA 60?) at some point over the years that 1950FordF3 may not know about. It is a restored truck. 1950FordF3, could you post a picture of the rear differential housing?
Doug
I'm with Doug, my 50 F3 hub and axle looks different than the OP...
I'm up in Canada and have acquired a 1950 F68 which is the equivalent of an F3. I am dealing with the widowmaker issue. I see that you have found one for your F3. Do you have any advice to share?
New to all this. Was this a solution to replace the widowmakers on your F3. Was it a custom order in any way? Any help with this would be appreciated. I am a Canadian F68 which is the F3 badge in Canada. I haven't yet found a cost-effective solution yet.
According to Stu (truckdog62563) posted above The 17.5" (Budd 70720 or Budd 73240), or 19.5" (Budd 71410) is what you need IF you still have the original rear axle and 14" brake drums. They will fit over the brake drums AND allow use of the stock hub caps.
Another solution is to swap in a Dana 60 from a F250 up to 1972. Later years are wider. It depends on if you want to stay original or not. What are your plans for the truck?
06-23-2016, 07:06 AM
