I am trying to plan out the rear end ratio for my 48 M68. I am going to be swapping our the rear end for either a 9" or 8.8". I was thinking of using 235/65/16. Would these look too small for the truck?

Thanks

 

how are you gonna get 16 inch wheels on a 9 inch ??isnt it a 5 bolt wheel??are you hot rodding or have a stock flatty in it??you could always hunt up a couple of wheels to try and then you will know if you like it or not..an.. sorry but I don't know what a m68 is ...got a picture??

 

M68 is a Mercury Canadian truck equivillant to F3. One ton truck 122" wheel base, express box- looks just great without the old 17" widow makers. On my F68 I adapted and used front discs and rear drums off a doner 1975 F250, using the 8 bolt 16.5 wheels and radial tires. Retianed original axles and front spindals as I am basicly doing a restoration to orignial with only a few mods (power brakes, safe wheels, headers)

 

I know a 235:75/R15 is large enough on the rear but I haven't seen a 235:65/R16 so I'm not sure how they compare. My guess is they would look okay. Unless you have changed it I assume your pattern up front is an 8 lug and you will be using a nine inch from a 72 or older 3/4 ton truck.

 

right after the 1st of the yr I will be swaping a 9 in from 1960 doner. I plane on 235 15 to start until I buy 16in 5 hole vintage rims

 

hey Kevin what did you do with the17 inch wheel's??and how difficult was the swap to the newer axles?? my 54 is still scaring me as I look for parts..

 

Just bolt the puppies on!

As long as the wheels are 5 lug on a 5.50" bolt circle and the 9" is for an F100/F150, Bronco or Econoline...no problemo.

5 lug 16" wheels on a 5.50" bolt circle pattern were available thru 1979 for F100's, 1975/79 F150's.

And, 5 lug, 17.5" 5.50" bolt circle wheels were offered for 1961/66 F100's.

All share the same 5 lug 5.50" bolt pattern used thru 1996.

 

well ,there is someting I never knew..i thought all 16s were 8 bolt..

 

I have 16" wheels on my '79 Bronco (not factory) and they fit fine. The wheel lip on the front is close, but do clear the tie rod end. Now granted this is a 4x4, but are similar in size with the disc brakes, calipers, knuckle, rotors, and dust shield. The wheel is a zero offset. The tire size is a 265/70/R16. The rear axle is a 9"

 

A 235-65x16 is actually shorter, by about an inch, and nearly 3" smaller in circumference, than the 235-75x15.

Here's a nifty tire size comparison calculator to play with.

Tire Size Calculator - Discount Tire Direct

According to my 51 Mercury original sales brochure, the original M-3/68 wheel and tire combo was a 5.5x17" wheel with a 7.00x17 6 ply tire. If you're looking for a more stock appearance in modern construction, you might look at a 215-85x16.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...15&ar=85&rd=16

 

I am leaning towards the 8.8 rear end. They have a 5x4.5 bolt pattern. Will finding 16" wheels be a problem for this?

When I bought the truck, it had new tires/wheels on the front becuase the old tires were shot. I just went and looked and they are actually 235/85/16 which is about 31.7" tall. I think I may just keep that size on there. They look pretty decent and if I go with that size, I can do a 4.10 rear end.

Does anyone see any issues with this?

 

Kenjh- I still have the 17 widow makers- one pair even still has the original rubber (whats left of it). If you look around you will find a lot of Ford stuff from later trucks will fit or at least is adaptable with a minimal of machining work. I retained my oringinal timikin rear axle and hubs, oringinal front spinals and hubs. I just updated my galley pictures of the disc brake conversion to include the rear brake upgrade, so have a look!

 

The 8.8" rear axle was introduced 1983.

When installed in 1983 F100's; 1983/96 F150's & Bronco's and 1969/2002 E100/150's, the bolt circle pattern is 5.50" same as 1948/52 F1's; 1953/79 F100's; Some 1980/83 F100's; 1975/96 F150's; 1966/96 Bronco's and 1969/2002 E100/150's.

The 8.8" with a 4.50" bolt circle was used in some Passenger Cars, Explorers, Rangers.

 

I will be getting one from an explorer with disc brakes.

 

I would think if you're looking for stock steelies that are 16" with the 5 on 4.5 bp, that's going to be tough. You'll probably need to order them custom. Figure $75-100 each.