Hi all. I'm new to early Fords, but recently bought an F-350 with a dually rear end, but with single rear rims on it now. What is the best method to convert this to a more modern wheel/tire combination? Sorry if this has been addressed before; I did a search but wasn't able to find anything regarding this. If it helps, I'm planning on using this as a cruiser as well as hauling a horse trailer now and then. There isn't a bed on it...that'll be a question for later!

Thanks all. This is a great forum.

-Pete

 

Your simplest solution is to find a set of the 17.5" tubeless six lug x 7.25" pattern dual wheels that were optional on F-350s. That's if you don't have them already, then you'd only need two. There were two versions made by the Budd Company, #71320 having six hand holes and #79120 having three hand holes. Same wheel, same dish/offset, same 5.25" width. Just different hand holes. They would use 8R17.5" tires. I know of a few in yards if you want to pursue them. Our friend Gary Sisson also had a set available for a while too. Not remembering whether he sold them or not.

From there you are looking at a rear axle swap to a later F-350 Dana 60, 70, or Sterling having the common 8 lug x 6.5" pattern. Easy enough on the rear, not so easy on the front. Gary (GBSisson) has done the rear Sterling swap and the machine work on his front axle, and will no doubt stop by here to comment and describe the process. Stu

 

I was just about to update my build/rehab thread, but I clicked here first.
Today's project was refinishing my 17.5" tubeless Budds. These are really nice wheels when used in dual configuration. I'm running 8x17.5 tires all the way around.

 

Hi guys. Thanks for the responses. What tires are compatible with these rims? I've read radials are not recommended?

 

Not sure why that would be a problem, they're regular drop-center rims, just like any others. Pretty sure the tires wouldn't know the difference. Maybe someone will enlighten us further.

 

It's true that they were not designed for radials, because they predate radials. Radials transmit more lateral loads than bias ply tires that can stress the wheels if you are fully loading the truck. Most use radials I'm sure without issues. Bias ply 8-17.5" tubeless tires are being reproduced in both road tread and traction tread. Here's the link to them in the Universal Tire catalog. Stu

https://www.universaltire.com/truck-...transport.html
https://www.universaltire.com/truck-...r-traxion.html

 

Thanks Stu, that makes perfect sense!

 

Yes, I still have the wheels available. The front conversion is somewhat complex, but a machine shop could do it easily. You need the dually wheel adapters from wheeladapters.com or other places. Sometimes known as 'Toledo adapters'. Just got in from a road trip and busy work week ahead, so maybe I can describe tomorrow night.