I have 1978 F250 Crew Cab 4x4 I’ve been working on and as of now I’m running stock 16” steel wheels and was looking for something cheap and attractive to replace them. I really wanted some 8 lug slotted mags but haven’t found any yet for the right price.

So I found a deal on an alternative combo for now. I just picked up a set of 5 H2 wheels and tires for $250.00. I have done some research and decided to take on the task of making them work on my truck.

So I finally had a few minutes to play around with the wheels this weekend and this is my findings. - The H2 wheels will not fit over the rear Dana 60 hub stock, But if you machine the center hub
area they will work.

- So I went to Lowe's picked up a $20.00 Bosch dual fluted flush cut router bit.

- Mounted it in the my router with speed set to the lowest setting

- Flipped the outboard wheel face down, rear side up.

- Measured the depth so that the guide bearing on the bit rides on the outer hub lip.
Just over 1/2"


- Mixed up a bottle of soapy water and sprayed the hub center down for lubrication.

- Held the router firm flat up against the backside of the wheel/lug nut mounts area
and started out slowly. I worked my way around the hub counter clockwise
making several light passes soaping the wheel each time around until the bearing
contacted the outer hub lip.

- Removed the router, wiped down the hub and BINGO - A perfectly machined inner hub surface.

- I cleaned the wheel and vacuumed up all the shavings, tried the fit on the rear
axle and it fit perfectly.

- The clearance at least on the rear looks good. With the H2 backspacing it sits
maybe a 1/4" - 1/2" more narrow than the stock steel wheels width. But the leaf
spring clearance is good.

- As of now I have not tried the fronts because I ran out of time but will get some
time in the next few days.

- Only question now is about the lug nuts. I believe the stock studs are 1/2" -20 on

the F250? The lug holes on the H2 rims M14-1.5 with a 60 degree seat. I

believe that if I use a 60 degree 1/2 - 20 bulged seat lug nut it should work.

- I know some trucks run 1/2" and some run 9/16". I’ve heard of people using both
sizes with stock lugs on there H2 wheels but just wanted to get some more info.


H2 wheel specs

17x8 Wheel
A back spacing of about 5 5/8 inches
8 X 6.5 Bolt pattern






Ready to start


[/LEFT]






Inner hub before - front side.










Inner hub before - back side.






Router Bit










After







Lug Nuts

Stock -


Bulged


Stock lug on the H2 wheel

 

yeah that looks like it should work fine. I like your thinking on the router! its also worth mentioning that H2's came with 16's, 17's, 18',s and 20's from the dealer. There are a lot of them out there pretty cheap...

 

I will look forward to your report on the front wheels.

 

i am very surprized they fit at all considering every thing is metric nowadays 165mm to 170 wont fit i know that good thinking and kudos for the router bit idea

 

I like it! The only thing I am not totally following is where the bearing was riding to guide you. Could you take a pic?

 

the only thing that is metric are the fords from around 2000 on up. I believe everything else is still 8x6.5.

 

Ok here are a few more pic's on the router depth and bearing surface. Also a few of the bulged lug nuts compared to the stocks. Still raining so haven't fit the front wheels on to see if they clear.

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The Lugs


<a href="http://s285.photobucket.com/albums/ll80/drich120376/1973-1979%20Ford%20trucks/?action=view&current=IMG_0526.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll80/drich120376/1973-1979%20Ford%20trucks/IMG_0526.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

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Found a few minutes to try the front wheels and they fit great as well. You don't have to machine the fronts because they do fit of the Dana 44 front hubs as is. But if your going to rotate tires why not do them all. No clearance issues on the steering arms or the calipers. I got all 5 wheels machined and cleaned up today, now just waiting for my new bulged lug nuts to come in and I'll mount them a post some pic's.

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That looks pretty good!

Any ideas for center caps or leave blank?

Josh

 

I have 4 stock hummer center caps that I think I might use. If I cut them with a close clearance to the hub I think they'll look good. I've seen people use ford, chevy and dodge centers on the h2 wheels that have been modified a bit but since I have the H2 covers I'll start there see how it looks.

 

Look pretty good without caps too.

 

looks good. i like it

 

I personally like them without caps. Gloss black the hubs and call it good. Again, just my opinion.

Thanks for doing such a detailed writeup. I have been toying with the 17" H2s for a couple years now. You make it look pretty easy.

 

I like it without the covers also but figured I'd see what it looks like with the stock caps cut out and make my final decision. I like the look of the silver wheels but I personally like black wheels. Maybe once I move forward from the mechanical work to the body I'll powder coat them. I'm thinking satin black, or orange paint with black wheels, trim, bumpers etc. I think the wheels look really good on the truck not only the size but also the design. Really for the $250 I spent for the wheels and tires, $20 router bit, and the hour and a half of labor It was well worth it. Not to mention it was very simple to do at home with simple tools.

I looked online for awhile trying to find complete info and pic's for making these wheels work on the my 78'. Mostly info and pic's for Chevy, Dodge, etc but nothing for 73-79 Fords. I hope this info and these pic's help anyone thinking of this swap. I definitely recommend this swap for the budget minded dentside builders.
Anyone need or want anymore pic's let me know I'd be happy to post.
Should have some time this weekend to get the wheels mounted on the truck, we'll see. Pictures to come.

 

I have a set of these I got for my 05 Dodge but I'm sure they will end up on the Ford when I'm not running bead locks.Have to mill them for the Dodge too,will do all though for rotating.