1972 F-250
 

Guess if I had thought about it, I would have started with this title, and then the thread would have just built on itself over time. Oh well...

Wheels. It seems I have split rims. While I understand these are original equipment, I am hearing that many tire shops won't mount tires on them.

Do they present any danger when airing up - I mean just adding air occasionally?

I assume that as long as I get new wheels with a 8x6.5 lug pattern, I can switch to solid wheels. Correct?

Any recommendations on where to get basic steel wheels?

Junkyard is full of them

2x.. Econolines would be the preferred donors... 16x7.

Thanks! Great to know about the Econolines, as websites keep pointing me to 16.5" rims, and the tire selection for those is much smaller.

The yards I go to have TONS of retired Econolines since they are more or less working and delivery vehicles these days. Potential donors are up to the mid-90s if I recall correctly.

HIO, for Econo wheels it would be up to 2013 as the Econo's still used the Dana 60 with the 8x6.5 pattern. The regular Econo is dead. They might have gone to 17" in the last few years.

FYI. Econolines still show 16" in 2014 model year.

quinletc The wheels became quite a hazard when reloading a new tire. There have been several men that have been killed and or badly maned when the wheels would blow apart when refilling them with air. As posted replacements should be common to find from 3/4 ton and up trucks

I believe you will have more tire choices available to you in 16" rather than 16.5.


John :-X06

Again, thanks for all the info - very helpful.

Incidentally, I've been watching the new season of Falling Skies, and there are a bunch of 70's and 80's F-series trucks in the show.

Yellow Primer?
 

There are a few spots on the hood where yellow is showing through the old, weathered red paint.

Is the yellow actually primer? The hood and paint are allegedly original.

It could be the hood was replaced at one time. Many thinks happen in 40+ yr old vehicles. Most were dark primers used.
orich

I'd check with a dealer and see what new ones go for. Around here new wheels are about $10.00 more over used. Or look for new steel after market wheels too. The tire shop I go to all the time has like new steel wheels for not a lot of money as well. Let your finger do some walking before heading to a bone yard.

I work in a tire shop and Im one of the few that will do.split rims. Voming fron my experience your better off buying different rims 16.5 tire are expendive and limited and you can get plain black or steel wheels for cheap

Lug size
 

What size are the lugs on a '72 F250 with 8 lugs? Was there more than one size?

The studs are 1/2" X 20. The nuts are the same as F100's and cars back then. From memory I'd saw 13/16" socket.