Not mine, in or near D.C.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...252189537.html

 

A few days ago another member told me about this set in eastern PA. Stu

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-fb-cheap.html

 

Stu, have a question for you. Have you ever seen any data on the weight capacity for these solid 16" rims ? They were considered the light duty wheel for a standard F 250, where as 16" 2 piece was considered the heavy duty rim used on maximum GVWR pickups, such as a Camper Specials, Interesting to find out data on both rims, if it exists.. Thanks..

 

Interesting that I just went through a bunch of wheel industry references and came up with no side-by-side comparison, then the last reference I checked has your exact answer. If you have access to the 1949 to 1951 Ford Service Manual you’ll find the Wheel and Tires chart on page 361. The F-2 one piece wheel, 7RD 1015-B (KH 31282 - 16” x 6” drop center), when fitted with a 7.50-16” 6 ply tire, is rated at 1560 lbs. The RHP two piece, 8J 1015 (Budd #60880 - 16” x 5.50-F), with the same tire, is rated at 1650 lbs. Budd’s own weight rating table for the #60880 wheel, with no tire size cited, is 2500 lbs. These wheels were options through into the 1960s. Stu

 

So I take it then, that using radial truck tires would actually be rated less, unless they have the proper ply rating? Gonna go see what tires I have on my truck!

 

Not sure how the bias ply ratings equate with modern radials. Above my pay grade. Stu

 

Thanks, Stu. Guess we’ll have to double the wages we’ve been paying you.

 

Yeah, right! Not even sure how a real tire pro would answer that. Bias ply tires send their loads laterally down to the rim while radials transmit loads more vertically. The radial sidewall moves around while the bias plies not as much. This is why there’s been the debate over the years about the safety risks of mounting radials on old rims. The only SAE documentation I have giving real data on this is on the big trucks’ wheels/tires. That data showed risk of rim failures during the early years when radials were mounted. As a result Budd redesigned their big truck wheels. Stu

 

I have heard, over the years, on about a half-dozen threads, the worry warts/fear-mongers shriek about not using radials, since the wheels weren’t designed for it, and we’ll all likely die if we do. Not one single first hand account, or second hand for that matter, has ever been cited. I ignore the noise and go one with my life, as always. Thanksfor your continued good work on all things wheels, Stu. We owe you.

 

Keep in mind that our old trucks aren’t used today like they were back in the day. I too have never heard of issues on the small trucks with 15” or 16” wheels.

But when we start talking about the bigger sizes, or the tubeless 17.5” and bigger sizes, I get a little itchy. On the 19.5” and 22.5” sizes especially only radials exist so guys don’t have any other option. I’ve written to Coker and STA asking them to start offering bias plies but got nowhere. Stu

 

Thanks Stu, great info as usual

 

Found this wheel,16" innie 8 lug rim, found the usual KH, but also found the Ford stamp. Not all of these wheels are stamped Ford, especially if the same style wheel was also used by Dodge. No date stamp found. Could this be an early 50's wheel instead of a late 50's-60's wheel? Any opinions Stu?

 

The 1948 F-2 first used them, which continued up to 1965 iirc on F-250s. Doubt there would be a date code. They are increasing in value as guys learn about widow makers, and shops stop working on the RHP style solid ring Firestones. Stu

 

Thanks for your reply Stu. Do you think there might be a problem with the higher ply radials on the period 17.5's? I would prefer 10 ply, but most available today are 14-16 ply. I personally like the taller narrower radials such as the 215 series 17.5's, like on 22truckie's '62 F 250.1 New 215/75R17.5 Ironhead IAR220 Tire H/16 215/75-17.5 21575175 | eBay Price is reasonable compared to 16's.

 

The radial 17.5s are trailer tires. The bias tubeless 8-17.5” repops are 8 ply. The 14 ply, on top of the being radial, would scare me. Could damage the rims and the fillings in your teeth. Stu

edit - that tire you listed is 16 ply. And a quick Google search shows it needs a 6-7” wide rim. These old Budd 17.5s are 5.25” wide. Stu