Originally Posted by rb48f6

Nice looking truck Mike, and welcome to FTE. I do like red trucks, glad though you plan to take it back to it's original blue. It looks good on it.

Looking at the older pics and based on the rear rims, looks like you have the 2-piece Firestone split rims on it. You'll probably want to look into replacing them. Over time they picked up the name widowmaker. Here are some links to previous posts discussing them and offering ident pointers:
Wheels
6 lug replacements
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-wheels-2.html
wrecker Info
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...cker-info.html
group purchase – size / speed calc
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...wheels-12.html
Widow maker replacement experience
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...erience-2.html
F600 Wheels 12/2009
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...00-wheels.html

Something you may consider is looking for a parts donor truck, that could probably go into the mid 60’s, and find a truck with good 6-lug lock ring wheels. You might even get lucky and find one with tubeless rims. Then swap out the axles, I do not believe front tread width would be an issue for you like the '52 and earlier trucks. And I say up to mid 60's as they have a narrower tread width than current trucks. It’s probably easier to find 6 lug lock ring wheels than the 5 lug we struggle to find. An added benefit would be getting one with a higher numerical gear set than in your truck. Pending use and if you want to run at highway speeds. Not sure what your 2-speed shift is, vacuum or electric, a newer axle would also get you a 12v electric motor set-up. Looks like your in farm country and usually you can find old grain truck chassis laying around. They pop up evey so often and can be picked up fairly cheap - $300-500.

You gotta' love the old 5 o/d shift pattern. Makes you wonder if really weighted up and in soft ground, you can get from 1 to 2 before it slows to a halt.

Good luck with your project and keep us updated.