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Darn, those look like almost finished trucks! (well, not the red one or the one on blocks). The red one is incredibly clean. Were they local trucks or from elsewhere? Usually trucks up near Denver have been on salt.
You can never have too many trucks! just today on the freeway I saw a semi load of old cars/trucks (squashed) and on the very front top was a 53 or 55 Ford truck. the grill was still prominently protruding from the front of the truck. I cried a bit and had a moment of silence in honor of it's service.
The more trucks (and or parts) we save (even if not being currently built or restored) is just that many more that might be around for our childrens children to enjoy someday!
I saw your album pics just fine, very nice , there is alot of how to navigate around here, if you click the FAQ button on the tool bar, once i started lookin around in there i learned alot of how to's i didnt know how to after severl years. Well like the others id like to welcome you to the best ford site there is, in my opinion. For anyone that is having trouble seeing His pics, try clicking on his name, and it should take you to his albums with a click. Well good luck, and looking forward to watching your progress.
To view the pics you have to go the opkomdalen's "View Public Profile" page. You click on his user name above which then takes you to the pictures.
Good looking collection, I'd say. But I have a question. Does the F-3 have those 19.5s at all four corners? The one pictured looks like a Chevy 19.5 because it has hub cap clips. If that's right the center bore/hole is smaller on a Chevy wheel than the ones that fit Fords. The Chevy wheel generally won't fit a Ford rear axle, but will fit on a front. Stu
Looks like you have a future great build on your hands. One thing I found with my build is you need to decide what your final expectation is other wise its real easy to buy that one super nice part that makes everything around it look out of place which makes you go back and replace everything around it. In other words its easy to buy that inexpensive used part until you put a new part next to it. Can't tell you how many extra parts I have because of this.
Wow, what a response! I want to thank all of you for the warm welcome. It was because of this forum that I was able to move forward with my interest in these old FORD trucks. Ross, the F-1 and F-3 are Colorado trucks. The pumpkin is from Nebraska. I wanted to start with trucks that can be saved and these seemed to fit the bill. Jack, the plan is on rebuilding these trucks with original used parts. I want them to be as functional as they may have been when half this age. It's a goal. Stu, I have these rims on all 4 corners. That picture was meant for you to see to help me identify them if possible. After reading all the problems with the original widowmaker rims, I knew that was one original part that was not going to work. It seemed finding suitable replacements was an issue. I was fortunate to find six 19.5" at a local junkyard. A set of 4 unknown manufacturer (could not find a stamped number) and 2 of the BUDD 71410 as you described. I decided to use the unidentified set of 4 until I can locate 2 more BUDD 71410. Of the 4 unidentified, there are clips on 2 rims and 2 rims have holes for clips. They measured the same as the BUDD 71410 rims. I found the 4 on a box van that the junkman said was a dodge. The 2 BUDD rims came off of an older FORD F250, not sure of the year. I posted another pic in my album of one on the rear. Any ideas on the manufacturer?
Wow, what a response! I want to thank all of you for the warm welcome. It was because of this forum that I was able to move forward with my interest in these old FORD trucks. Ross, the F-1 and F-3 are Colorado trucks. The pumpkin is from Nebraska. I wanted to start with trucks that can be saved and these seemed to fit the bill. Jack, the plan is on rebuilding these trucks with original used parts. I want them to be as functional as they may have been when half this age. It's a goal. Stu, I have these rims on all 4 corners. That picture was meant for you to see to help me identify them if possible. After reading all the problems with the original widowmaker rims, I knew that was one original part that was not going to work. It seemed finding suitable replacements was an issue. I was fortunate to find six 19.5" at a local junkyard. A set of 4 unknown manufacturer (could not find a stamped number) and 2 of the BUDD 71410 as you described. I decided to use the unidentified set of 4 until I can locate 2 more BUDD 71410. Of the 4 unidentified, there are clips on 2 rims and 2 rims have holes for clips. They measured the same as the BUDD 71410 rims. I found the 4 on a box van that the junkman said was a dodge. The 2 BUDD rims came off of an older FORD F250, not sure of the year. I posted another pic in my album of one on the rear. Any ideas on the manufacturer?
The four that have clips, or holes for clips, are no doubt Kelsey Hayes wheels from a Chevy/GMC, probably not a Dodge. K-H wheels won't have a part number stamped into the metal like the Budds have. K-H put their numbers on paper tags, or relied on the National Wheel and Rim Association (NWRA) cross ref number sometimes painted on the inner rim base under the tire. I think you'll find that the center bore diameter of these four wheels is approximately 4 5/8". A Ford/Dodge/Studebaker 19.5" (Budd 71410) will have about a 4 7/8" center bore. I find three different K-H part numbers for SRW 19.5s having the 8 x 6.5" pattern. They are K-H #40261 having 7/16" of positive offset (NWRA #X-45037), K-H #43814 having 1 5/8" positive offset (NWRA #X-45038), and K-H #85063 (X-45178) that replaced the #43814 (X-45038). The 71410 has 1/2" of positive offset so you can compare. I suspect yours are the #40261s. Stu
The four that have clips, or holes for clips, are no doubt Kelsey Hayes wheels from a Chevy/GMC, probably not a Dodge. K-H wheels won't have a part number stamped into the metal like the Budds have. K-H put their numbers on paper tags, or relied on the National Wheel and Rim Association (NWRA) cross ref number sometimes painted on the inner rim base under the tire. I think you'll find that the center bore diameter of these four wheels is approximately 4 5/8". A Ford/Dodge/Studebaker 19.5" (Budd 71410) will have about a 4 7/8" center bore. I find three different K-H part numbers for SRW 19.5s having the 8 x 6.5" pattern. They are K-H #40261 having 7/16" of positive offset (NWRA #X-45037), K-H #43814 having 1 5/8" positive offset (NWRA #X-45038), and K-H #85063 (X-45178) that replaced the #43814 (X-45038). The 71410 has 1/2" of positive offset so you can compare. I suspect yours are the #40261s. Stu
Thank you very much for the information. The way I understand wheel offset is that the it is part of the whole wheel, axle, bearings, steering etc. picture and if changed from original design may effect the above mentioned items in a negative way. My manual states the original 17.5" WM offset was .56 inch or 9/16. Do you know if others run these K-H rims on their F3s with any negative issues ?
Doug
Last edited by opkomdalen; Dec 20, 2011 at 10:52 PM.
Reason: found the answer
Re-reading this, am I correct that you have the #71410s on the rear now? You didn't somehow get the unnumbered ones to clear your rear hubs, did you? If you've gotten all four of the ones with hub cap clips/clip holes on the truck I'll be scratching my head trying to figure out how that's possible.
The original widow maker wheels are Budd #49380-D1. They are 17" (not 17.5") x 5.5" and have 9/16" of positive offset. I really doubt the 1/16" difference on the Budd #71410 (19.5" x 5.25" with 1/2" offset), or 1/8" difference with the K-H #40261 (19.5" x 5.25" with 7/16" offset) would make any difference in the truck's handling. On the other hand, if you've got the K-H #43814/#85063s with 1 5/8" offset the chances get greater that it might be an issue. It certainly might look odd having the front wheels sit inboard an extra inch+ on each side. You're the first I've heard who has found and put to use the Chevy/GMC wheels on a Ford. Since you've changed nothing else on the truck to increase its speed I really doubt you'll have any issues. Other than not being able to use one of your extras as a spare on the rear due to the smaller center hole (if my original assumptions were correct).
I'm sure you'll continue to watch for more of the #71410s. There was an eBay seller in CA a couple months ago that listed three. They were on there a couple times and went unsold. Also, a set of five appeared on CL in NH about the same time. Don't know whether they sold. I found one on CL locally a while back and am waiting for the seller to pull the other four off the truck. I've offered to give him four junk wheels/tires so he can keep the truck a roller when it goes to the crusher, but haven't gotten him to act on it. I also missed out on two at an auction a few months ago. I was in the small town for the preview but couldn't stay for the auction the following day. I know of one other full set that is owned by our friend Mark (thundersnow70). Whether he'd break his set I can't say. My point is that more are out there, and will turn up.
When they do turn up, I'm pretty sure the Chevy/GMC guys look for their 19.5s like we do ours. So you should be able to find them a good home when that day comes. Stu