1949 M-68 (F-3) Modern aftermarket rims
 

I have done a lot of reading and searching on this form and I can't seem to find any reference to current production aftermarket wheels that will fit on a 1949 Mercury M-68 (F-3). Have I just missed them or are there none available? My truck has what I believe to be widow makers (maybe someone can confirm?) and I would like to replace them with something safe.

Yup, those are 17" widow makers. No source I know of has been found for "aftermarket" modern wheels to replace them. Your 14" rear brake drums create us the challenge of finding other production wheels that will be safe. We know that 1956 to 1966 F-250s had optional 17.5" and 19.5" wheels that are pure and correct looking replacements. Even accept your stock hub caps. Finding sets of either will take some looking. Others have found that mid to late 1990s era Dodge 3/4 ton wheels are a bolt on fix. But they a wider and need to be spaced out a bit to not rub on the inner front. I've tried to find specifics including manufacturer and part numbers, but have yet to do that. Others have had custom wheels built using your stock centers fitted to modern tubeless 17" outer rims. Stu

Thanks Stu for confirming that. I have read that a Dana 60 swap gives more options for 16" rims. Is it possible to just swap the drums on my existing rear axle? Is it worth it or is a Dana 60 my best bet?

I just went ahead and swapped a Dana 60 from a 1972 F250. You need a 68-72 for correct width.

It bolted right in. I just had to shorten the drive shaft, used an adapter for the brake line and a conversion U-joint. I also cut off the F250 shock mounts and used stock F2 shock mounts.

You have way more gear options and brake drums are available. I think it's worth it. I can post pics of the swap if you need them.

A 1972 and earlier F-250 Dana 60 swap is a well documented swap. And can give a much taller final drive ratio for better highway cruising. Swapping backing plates and drums is an option if you can find a donor USA spec F-2. They have 12" drums. No F-2s were sold in Canada. But even if the F-2 donor is found, it's no easy task to find new F-2 drums if needed. Stu

If you want it to look stock, you can swap backing plates and drums from any 1957-72 F-250 onto your original rear.
Chuck

Does anyone know if the rear diff from a 91 dodge 250 would be a bolt in?

Too wide. You need an axle from a 1972 or earlier F-250 having the SAE standard 34" frame width, or from a later chassis/cab through mid 1970s (I forget exact year) that retained the 34" width. Stu

I just stumbled across these. They are from a old chevy. Does anyone know if they will fit?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112012666310

*Spicer/Dana 60 introduced in 1954 F250, but some 1954/55 F250's also came with the Timken A150 rear axle.

Spicer/Dana rear axle ratios: 1954/56 could be: 4.56-1; 4.88-1 or 5.87-1 :eek: / 1957/72 could be 4.56-1 or 4.88-1.

4.10-1 introduced in 1963; 3.54-1 introduced in 1966; 3.73-1 introduced in 1967.

Drum brakes: 1956/58 & 1959/65 F250 2WD's have 12 1/8" x 2" front/rear brakes as do some 1966/72 F250's with GVWR's under 7,500 lbs.

1966/72 F250 Camper Specials (all 2WD) and like F250's with 7,500 lbs. GVWR have 12" x 2 1/2" front/rear brakes.

If 1968/72 F250 2WD's have optional dual piston caliper front disc brakes, the rear drum brakes are 12" x 2 1/2."

Thanks for providing the diff ratios by year. That is really helpful. My best bet is probably to do the axle swap instead of trying to find wheels for the 14 inch drums.

We did the Dana 60 swap after completing the restoration (they are never totally complete) . We also have 17" 1995 Dodge 3/4 ton rims with 1.5" spacers on the front . The Dana 60 with 3.54 gears is a perfect combination for us .

With the 3.54 gears, I'm assuming stock 4 speed crash box, what are your rpms at 60 mph

Will not fit on the rear. GM wheels have a 4.625" center hole while Ford and others use wheels having a 4.78" center hole. Stu

Or from a 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boy)...which I forgot to mention in post #10.

But despite the same frame rail width, you don't want a rear axle from a 1963/78 F350 & 1979 F350 2WD Cab & Chassis or 1973/79 F350 Regular Cabs on the 140" wheelbase, as they all came with Dana 70's.