I just purchased a basket case 1950 F3
it has the 8 lug 17" split rims with 7-17 tires.
they are rusted and dry rotted............
question:
has anyone swapped over to newer 8 lug wheels on to theirs
and if so what works?
I was gonna try 16" ford early 90's era.
any help is appreciated.
also engine is a 8 cyl flathead what size wouild it be that year?

 

Welcome aboard.

The engine should be a 239.

As for the wheels, this is a very commom subject. Here is the last one:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-question.html

There are a lot of posts about these wheels. If you can, do a search using truckdog62563 as the author.

 

First, welcome to the forum. Glad to have you.

Second, page back one page on the listing to a thread entitled "48 F-3 brake and wheel question". You'll find most of the answers there. The issue that will impact you is the same as impacts him. Your rear drums are 14" which won't accommodate many 16" rims, and we learned there some 16.5s. Please read that then come back if you have other questions. Please ignore my last post on that thread. An inside joke with our friend Bob.

Bob's quicker on the trigger than I am. I'll add here though, that another option is 19.5" tubeless rims on the rear. There are two on ebay right now. Item #270260791087. You might not want that much lift in the rear as compared to the front, but it'd work. Stu

 

Welcome to FTE. What are your plans for the truck? If you aren't married to the idea of keeping it totally original you can convert the bolt pattern to 5x5.5 by using an F-1 rear end (or even a 57-72 F-100 pickup rear) and F-1 drums and brakes on the front...then 16 or even 15 inch wheels can be used.

 

The bolt pattern your looking for is the 8 x 6.5, Ford used it up until 96-97 and it was also very common with dodge. I know that the rear 14" brake drums will cause an issue with most 16" rims, however, one possible and common upgrade is to swap in a 1972 or earlier Dana 60 out of a F-250 3/4 ton. This is a virtual bolt in swap that will give you better gearing and brakes, as well as letting you use 16" rims.

 

I have a set of tires and rims off of my 1948 F-3 that are not split rims and the tires are like new but have a small amount of cracking on the side wall. They are 8 lug rims. I won't be using them and if you are interested I am near Columbia SC.The tire size is 7.50X17 I believe. Rear tires are mud grips and front are regular tread. I think the name on them is HI-MILER.

 

I think you might want to take a second look at them after you do a forum search to see what widow makers look like. Stu

 

Better yet, here's a pic of a widow maker. They look like one piece from the front, but from the back you see that joint. Stu

 

I have a restored 1950 F3 and I used 16" 8 lug with Coker tires.

 

Did you swap out the rear axle? Stu

 

No, Original axle!

 

Original 14" brake drums? If so we need to know what the wheels came from. Are there any part numbers stamped into them? Stu

 

Dont look for that ebay list number..........its a few years old. Yikes

 

You can order them from WheelVintiques.com It's not that complicated guys. The tires are by Coker. Here is a photo of the wheel and the tire.

 

Here is picture of my truck!


1950 Ford F3 with flathead 6!