I wanted to share a source I found for replacement rims. It took me seven weeks to track down a source for my 1959 F-350 dually and I hope to save others the same trouble. Any one that has tried to source the old six lug 7.25 pattern rims knows that they have not been made in the States since 1968 and are scarce as hens teeth! I found a company called American Wheel Specialist in Washington State - Email: amwheel@hotmail.com Phone: 509-737-6079. They are importing new one piece rims from Turkey 8-17.5 tire size that will work on this pattern. The ones I ordered had to have the lug holes bored out about half a thread to 5/8 size using a standard 5/8 bit and the indent had to be established using an oversized bit. (I think they were bored metric originally) These rims are not Ford factory spec but they are well built and look good on my 59 one ton. Mine have two cut outs vs the original six but I am not complaining. I hope this saves someone from the frustration I went through.

 

That's cool info, thanks. I'm one of the lucky owners who has the tubeless factory rims. They were on my truck when I bought it, Yokohama radials!!

 

My 59 F-350 had two tubeless rims on the front and one spare. The dual rears were two piece 7.50x16s and were not correct for that truck, they were also beyond repair. I was able to locate one International rim in fair condition from a friend, installed the spare and bought two replacement rims for the outside duals. I want to get two more later to match the set, but right now I am finishing up the little details.
Do you happen to know how many of the 59 - 60 era F-350 trucks were built? I can only find a few left for sale on the market and I am guessing these trucks may be getting a little on the rare side?

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is getting hard here near Seattle to find a shop that will change these, but it is said there still are some. Phelps Tire was one. Thanks for the encouragement to stick to the old wheels. And I love the idea of the 17.5 " solid wheels. My wheels are not damaged but they are also not rust free. I'm on an island near Seattle and the trip takes a lot of time. That was the main reason for wanting to change to a non split rim. And there were those who were saying split rims are illegal, altho I've heard thats not so.

 

I am far from knowledgeable but I always thought that the 1960's F-350's in particular was the truck of choice for every farmer, mason, and small contractor. And they used them hard, and finally beat the hell out of them to the point that they were parted out from the junkyards long ago. I made a very long search when I needed brake drums, found nothing in junkyards, till finally I found some new on the other side of the country, and id rather not admit what I had to pay for them.

 

I thank you all for all your experience and knowledge.