F-4

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 11, 2017 | 09:44 PM

Merimar1

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 16

Likes: 0

F-4

Hi,
I'm in the process of buying a 1950 F-4 that has 7.00 x 20 dually's. It will need tires. My local go to tire guy is concerned that if the sucide riveted rims are bad it will be very hard to find new style rims.

Any help in this area much appreciated.

May 11, 2017 | 10:23 PM

truckdog62563

Marmon-Herrington Man

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,986

Likes: 446

From: Central Illinois

I see that you are in Ohio, and are right now reading old wheel threads. You'll find some where we've shown that old motor home tubeless one piece wheels are the perfect F-4 remedy. The Budd 89340 wheels with 8R19.5" tires are a near perfect match for the stock 7.00-18" DRW original option. Your 20" tires will be slightly taller, but only about an inch iirc.

Old 1970s Dodge and Ford Class A motor homes are still to be found in yards. Or, here is a set now on eBay. I have no connection to the seller. Stu

5 lug budd WHEEL 19.5 x 6.00 ford dodge motorhome f500 f600 c600 good rim | eBay

May 12, 2017 | 06:14 AM

Merimar1

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 16

Likes: 0

Stu,
Thanks so much for your help. The ebay wheels look very similar to what the truck has now. My goal is to keep the truck looking original.

May 12, 2017 | 07:20 AM

truckdog62563

Marmon-Herrington Man

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,986

Likes: 446

From: Central Illinois

Yes, they look similar to originals but will have a noticeably shorter rim lip. The benefit of an old set of tubeless wheels is their closer resemblance to your originals than the new reproduction wheels available from companies like Wheels Now. Wheels Now has even assigned the repop'd wheels the same old Budd Company number 89340. The repops are also 19.5" x 6" but have a much wider face and smaller hand holes.

Here is a member's F-4 wearing a set of original Budd 89340s. Stu

Name: 458486CA-D47E-4EC5-B9BC-9E8CB6D5FF3A-3142-0000031C91132579_zpsb5f3ec09.jpg
Views: 1280
Size: 2.01 MB

May 12, 2017 | 09:18 AM

49fordv8f4

Cargo Master

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 2,594

Likes: 72

From: North Central Arkansas

Merimar1, Good to see another F4 here! I have 19.5 Dodge motorhome wheels on my F4. I am running 225 70R 19.5 tires which are shorter than the 7.00-20 tires my truck had on it when I bought it. The 8R 19.5 tires are exactly the same height as the 7.00-20 tires. The shorter tires will work good for my application as the engine I'm using needs about a 1000 RPMs more than the flathead. If you are keeping the stock engine, the 8R 19.5s may work better for you. Show us some pics of your truck when you get a chance.
Mark

May 18, 2017 | 10:49 PM

Merimar1

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 16

Likes: 0

Follow up

Hi guys,

My new truck a 1950 F-4 arrives Saturday. It's the one I asked about the wheels having the widow maker rims.

Stu, I just learned the truck has 17" not 20" tires. If I an figure out how to post a picture of the truck I will once it arrives.

Thanks for the input.

May 18, 2017 | 10:52 PM

Merimar1

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 16

Likes: 0

Correction

Stu, I have 7:00 x 18 tires

May 19, 2017 | 04:43 AM

truckdog62563

Marmon-Herrington Man

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,986

Likes: 446

From: Central Illinois

Yeah, the stock DRW F-4 wheel/tire combination was 7.00-18" tires on 18" x 5" wheels. There are locking side ring 18s, but rarely found. It's pretty much a sure bet that yours are the RH-5° variety. Like Tim says, you have the whole range of wheel/tire options available to you. His 8.25-20s would be the tallest without rubbing and would be similar in size to tubeless 9R22.5s if you chose to go that direction. Stu

May 19, 2017 | 06:44 AM

#10

Merimar1

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 16

Likes: 0

Since this truck came with the 7.00 x 18" widow makers will I be able to find a Budd wheel in that size? Or should I plan on having to increase to the 20". Stu, I talked with the seller of the 20" Budds that you gave me the ebay link. He still has them for $125 each plus 68. each to ship.

May 19, 2017 | 08:14 AM

#11

truckdog62563

Marmon-Herrington Man

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,986

Likes: 446

From: Central Illinois

The wheels I linked above were the 19.5" Budd 89340s. According to eBay they are now sold, and they didn't sit on eBay for very long. If that is wrong they are a good option for you. The Budd 89340 wheel in combination with 8R19.5" tire is the closest size match I've found for the original 7.00"-18" wheel/tire option. If they are sold I'd suggest calling around to yards to see if they have any old Class A Ford or Dodge motor homes sitting in the yard. And there are a hand full of guys here who, like me, keep our eyes open for these when we find them. So somebody may speak up about a set. Stu

Edit - if that set is still available I'd suggest a lot can be saved on shipping. Six times $68 is $408! Shipping through Fastenal Company's 3rd Party Logistics service (3PL) would save you half or more. Stu

https://www.fastenal.com/en/22/third...logistics-(3pl)