Are these definitely the widowmakers? thought they stopped making them by '59. I have another set of dually rims off of a '60 f350 parts truck so hopefully both sets aren't WM, I'll try to get a pic of those too.

Yeah it's the nicest one of this year I've seen, been having a hard time finding a cab that's not completely shot. I'm just praying it's got the OD 5spd, then I'd be all set!

 

Pretty unlikely to have an OD transmission of that vintage. I drove a bunch of older farm trucks over the years with 4 & 5 speeds and 2 speed rears and have never seen an OD tranny in one. Then again, most farmers weren't going to burn up the old dirt and gravel roads by driving much over 50 mph even empty let alone with a load. Also, back when that truck was built there weren't a lot of roads that would allow speeds much above 60 mph.

 

You could get a 5 speed Clark w/O/D in 1948, 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988 and prolly later, but it was not used in F1/F3's or F100/350's.

Since you didn't mention the engine size of your '59 F100, I dunno if the bellhousing is different or not.

 

Those were the only years that they were an option? So since this truck is a '59 does that mean it doesn't have OD unless it was someone at some point swapped it in?

 

What I meant was that the Clark 5 speed O/D was available from 1948 thru 1988, and prolly later.

I could look in the parts catalog to see how much later it was offered, but since it's not relevant...

What trans does this truck have now? All I've read in this thread...so far, is speculation.

As Col Flashman suggested in post #3: Look on the Rating Plate for the TRANS code, post what it is.

I'll betcha it's an F.

 

well my 59 is an f100 that somebody has swapped the t-98 into and it has a 292 and im putting a 5sp od in and like i said i was planning on an nv4500 but if i could find a clark that might be easier. So the clarks would have came in f500 and up then?

 

The Clark 5 speed (250V or 250VO) is a rather big, heavy transmission. The V and VO have slightly different shift patterns. Google them to see.
I have a 250V in a 1960 F600, and it is a clunky transmission to shift. First is a long way from second, and first is really low, not much use with no load or a light load. When shifting, slow deliberate shifts are best to avoid gear clash. It is well suited to mediums, but for a half ton it might be a pain.

 

I have some 18 inch rims for the dually part that came off of a 50 f4. It is the large 5 lug. I dont know if this will work for you or not. It all depends on the rear axle you use. I do have axle that goes with the rims. If you are interested call me at 765 635 3830

 

That wheel pictured is absolutely a widowmaker. See the raised band like area. That's the joint. Widowmakers were produced from the late 1940s until the late 1970s. Firestone, Budd, and Kelsey Hayes produced them as new complete wheels through at least 1972, and sold replacement side rings as late as 1978 from what I've read. I've got Kelsey Hayles catalog listings for them as late as 1976.

Your '60 F-350 wheels will be a wrong bolt pattern. Probably a 6 lug x 7.25" pattern. Your '59 is a 6 lug x 8.75" pattern.

Those F-4 wheels will probably also be widowmakers. Ford's relationship with Firestone meant that just about all trucks started life with them. Goodyear "lock ring" 18" outer rims were produced and supplied by Budd, Kelsey Hayes, and Motor Wheel for other truck brands but will be a rare item to find today. Plus, those F-4 wheels will be a 5 lug x 8" pattern where this '59 uses a 6 lug x 8.75" pattern. Stu

 

Thanks, I didn't realize the they would have different lug patters, thought all big 6-lugs were the same. I'm pretty sure I'm going to use the f350 axle instead of the big 2spd out of the 59 so I should be good on wheels. I'll post pics of the f350 wheels but they definitely look different than the '59 wheels so hopefully not widowmakers.

Other thing is how hard do you think it will be to get rid of that flatbed? I don't need it and would like to get it out of my yard. Would someone want it or should I just try to cut it up and haul it to the scrap yard?

 

All 1953/66 F350's have 6 lug wheels on a 7.25" bolt circle. No other series of truck, regardless of the year, used these wheels.