Widow maker replacements

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Apr 10, 2012 | 11:21 PM

49'er

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 38

Likes: 0

From: Midland, Ontario

Widow maker replacements

So I've tried to decipher all the info posted regarding the 17 inch split rims that I have to deal with on my 49 M68, and while it seems obvious that almost everyone agrees they need to be replaced, I'm still not clear on the source for a replacement. Will the 17 inch, 8 lug with 6.5 centers from a pre 1997 F250 not fit? Are these really difficult to find? Is there anyone out there here in Ontario that has a set of rims that will bolt onto my standard hub rather than trying to replace the whole rear end or trying to weld my centers into to another rim.
Looking for the simplest solution.

49'er
1949 Merc M68
1961 Corvette
1967 Mustang

Apr 11, 2012 | 05:10 AM

truckdog62563

Marmon-Herrington Man

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,984

Likes: 444

From: Central Illinois

I'm not aware of any 17s that came on '97 and earlier F-250s. Pretty sure they were 16s, and before that 16.5s, on both the F-250s and F-350s. The decade of the '90s is an area where my references are too old to be real helpful. We have heard, though, that Dodge 3/4 tonners continued use of the 8 lug x 6.5" pattern longer than Ford and did offer a 17" wheel. Whether it was stock or optional I can't say. One of our members uses them with success I believe, and while they'll be wider than trucks of our era used, they apparently don't rub. Hopefully that member speaks up about his, and at some point we learn details about these wheels. Stu

Apr 11, 2012 | 07:44 AM

oldmerc

oldmerc

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 1,538

Likes: 5

From: Edmonton,Alberta

I may be the member in question . I use 3/4 ton dodge steel rims with billet wheel spacers from Vancouver (Langley I think) to provide the correct offset and steering clearance .