My 1948 F-68 has 7.5 x 17 old 8 ply tires on it and I don't trust the online size conversions to today's radial measurements. I am sure there is info out there in this forum as many of you will have replaced and updated your tires. I have one piece rims. Looking for info on what tire size to use and where you got them. I am in Calgary Alberta.
CJ21

 

Sorry, but no you don’t. All the 17” wheels on F-3/F-68 trucks have widow maker Firestone RH-5° rims. Complicating matters, you have 14” rear brake drums that are the reason Ford spec’d the 17s on F3/68s in the first place. Few shops in the US will touch the RH-5° wheels anymore, and I’d be surprised if it’s any different in Calgary. If you can find a shop, the 7.50-17” bias ply tires are still made by Specialty Tire of America (STA) and are in the Coker and Universal Tire catalogs. Below is a picture of the back of one of your 17s. The center disc is riveted to the widow maker joint.

Replacement wheel options exist, but it’s a more involved discussion. Checking to see if a shop will touch your wheels might the first thing to do. Stu



https://www.universaltire.com/truck-...ary/truck.html
https://www.cokertire.com/tires/brands/sta.html

 

Thank you for the reply and will double check the rims. Do not need to keep stock at this stage so replacement rims and radial tires are fine for now.
Any advice on how to match the rim and tire size for a replacement would be appreciated
CJ

 

Linked below are old discussion threads specific to your issues. Replacement options are covered.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...1950-f3-2.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...f3-wheels.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ew-member.html

The only modern 17” wheel we’ve heard mention of that works is the Hollander Interchange code 02185 that is 17” x 7.0” and was available on 2003-2012 Dodge 2500/3500 SRW trucks. Walmart lists it here.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Road-Read...6-50/655447841

If my scratch pad calculations are right this will have about one inch more backspacing than your current 17” x 5.50” widow makers. Rubbing on the steering/inner fender on extremes of the turning radius might be an issue. I couldn’t find the old thread where a member has these on his truck and uses a thin spacer to move the wheel mounting surface outward to alleviate rubbing.

Your current 7.50-17” tires are 34” tall and have a Section Width of 8.45” according to an old 1979 Tire and Rim Association (TRA) reference. If you go to the Dodge wheel with a 17” radial a more current (2012) TRA reference looks to give two tire options. A 225/75R17” is 30.31” tall and has a Section Width of 8.78”. A 235/80R17” is 31.81” tall and has a Section Width of 9.25”. Your tire retailer may have more current references with other appropriate tire sizes. Added Section Width will increase the risk of rubbing if you go taller, because you’ll also be going wider. Any modern metric tire with have a shorter profile than comparable old tires having sizes in inches. Stu

 

Are the rims you are showing me 8 bolt? That is what I have.
cJ

 

Yes, 8 x 6.5” pattern as pictured in the Walmart link. Stu

 

The Walmart rims will fit the f68 drums or am I reading trouble here too?
cJ

 

It’s a 17” x 7” rim size. We’ve been told by other members that these newer Dodge wheels fit the early 14” drums, but I for one haven’t had my hands on a set to try them to give you my personal guarantee. If you read the old threads I linked above, I have had my hands on the 19.5” and 17.5” wheels discussed there and know those do clear the drums, but finding those wheels would not be as easy as finding the Dodge wheels. The 19.5” and 17.5” wheels will also allow you to continue to use your hub caps which the newer Dodge wheels will not, if that matters to you. If you want to go with easy to find 16” wheels and tires you’ll need to research the rear axle change option. Stu

 

Great info, thanks for your knowledge.
CJ