46 ford truck question
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Elder User
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From: Ashland, KY
46 ford truck question
I'm trying to figure out what is the best way to put a set of wheels I have on my 46 ford truck. The truck is a 1/2 ton and the wheels I want to put on it is a set of 66 ford fairlane GT wheels I have. The bolt patteren is alot smaller on the car wheels. What is the best way to get these to fit my truck. The rear end is original in the truck and it has that little shaft or what ever that is where the wheel mounts on. And I know the car wheel won't fit over that either. I want to keep the truck original but I want to put these GT wheels on it to. So can anyone tell me how to do this. And is it possible to put car hubs on the truck so the wheels will fit. I'm up for any advice!!
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From: Orange County, CA
If by car hubs you mean '46 passenger hubs, they won't help. Ford started the 5 on 4 1/2 bolt cirlce in the '50's. My '57 Fairlane 500's wheels fit my '70 Mustang. You can see if there are any adaptors available that would allow you to bolt the wheels on, or perhaps have the hubs and drums, and axles redrilled for the smaller pattern. The only way to leave the truck as untouched as possible would be to fint the adaptors. I know they made them, I might still have a pair in my garage from the first '46 I owned. Another things to look into is if the wheels will clear the drum, I think they should, but not totally positive.
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From: Ashland, KY
So do they still make adaptors to fit the GT wheel on the 46. I know this is a simple problem to fix b/c I've seen to many trucks with car wheels on them. The wheels I have are off of a 68-67 mustang GT. Theres got to be a easy way to fit the wheels on my 46. I just haven't found it yet. If I have to get the axles redrilled thats no problem, but I thought there would be a easier way. I'd hoped anyway!!
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From: Orange County, CA
They may still be made, not sure. So many trucks probably have those car wheels becasue they have changed the brakes and axles to something with a differnt pattern. I have car wheels on the front of my '46, because I switched to disc brakes and changed the bolt pattern to a later Ford passenger car.
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From: Southern Oregon
www.truckxpressions.com sells custom wheel adaptors. It looks like they definitely sell adaptors for backspacing problems, but also maybe to convert bolt circles. I think you will have to call them about your need. If they can help they will need to know both bolt circles and desired backspace. They advertise adaptor widths of 1-2 inches, and more on special order.
The number is 1-866-444-7711, ask for the wheel dept.
The number is 1-866-444-7711, ask for the wheel dept.
Last edited by 46yblock; Jan 23, 2005 at 11:18 PM.
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From: Seattle WA.
I wouldn't use wheel adaptors, there have been to many stories of them failing over the years. Reading the posts here it seems wheel spacers and wheel adaptors are being lumped together.
i would suggest for your own safety and your loved ones that you consider putting on the regular 5 1/2" ford truck bolt style wheels. Or, install an Explorer rear, they are 4 1/2" the same bolt pattern as your wheels. Then put disc brakes on the front with 4 1/2" rotors. Just my opinion good luck if you go with the wheel adaptors.
i would suggest for your own safety and your loved ones that you consider putting on the regular 5 1/2" ford truck bolt style wheels. Or, install an Explorer rear, they are 4 1/2" the same bolt pattern as your wheels. Then put disc brakes on the front with 4 1/2" rotors. Just my opinion good luck if you go with the wheel adaptors.
Last edited by 51ford fan; Jan 29, 2005 at 12:01 AM.
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Postmaster
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From: Southern Oregon
51ford fan, could you please address a little further the safety concerns you mentioned? Are there issues with both spacers and adapters? The site I referenced above seemed to lump them together, and I couldn't tell which they were referring to, or both. I have been looking at aluminum wheels to replace the steel wheels. Current back space on the 8 inch wide wheels is 2 1/8 in. Closest backspace available in aluminum is 3.5 inch. Wheel spacer of 1 3/8 inch would put the aluminum wheel where it needs to be. Problems?
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From: Seattle WA.
Originally Posted by 46yblock
51ford fan, could you please address a little further the safety concerns you mentioned? Are there issues with both spacers and adapters? The site I referenced above seemed to lump them together, and I couldn't tell which they were referring to, or both. I have been looking at aluminum wheels to replace the steel wheels. Current back space on the 8 inch wide wheels is 2 1/8 in. Closest backspace available in aluminum is 3.5 inch. Wheel spacer of 1 3/8 inch would put the aluminum wheel where it needs to be. Problems?
The wheel adaptors are an aluninum spacer which bolts down to the 5 1/2" hub or axle. then the 4 1/2" wheel is bolted on it. Problem with these over the years was with the amount of material (or web) in the cut out 5 1/2" area. Think about the steel on steel factory design. Now an aluninum adaptor is put between with thin webbing. And to add to that it is being added to a commerical vehicle that probably is excess of 3000 lbs not to mention load capacity. I know you are probably thinking like me and won't use the bed to haul a load. But it is still a truck and I feel it should be respected for it load carrying ability and not compromised.
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From: Seattle WA.
Originally Posted by 46yblock
51, thanks for your post. Mike
Hey, check out the totaled 50F1 on Bonusbuilt.com it's listed in the center section of the opening page. It says something about crash test.
Last edited by 51ford fan; Jan 29, 2005 at 01:36 AM.
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From: Ashland, KY
I'm going to take your advice. I'm not going to put wheel adaptors on the truck. I can change something to get the wheels I want. Or just buy a nice pair that will fit it now. I will not risk the wheels coming off the truck over something I put on there for a quick fix. Thanks guys
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From: Slippery Rock, Pa.
If you want to keep the truck "stock" and still want the "wheels" to dress it up look at the later Ford 1/2 ton trucks used the 5 1/2" bolt pattern for years,( you can even still find old "mag" wheels at the flea markets, they are rare, but...), there were quite a few different Ford Truck wheels offered.
I have used the wheel adapters, they are an "easyfix", BUT do not recommend them. If you drill your wheels/hubs for the the GT wheels they may have clearance problems, they are 14".
I switched my rear-end to a 9", the 67 thru 72 Ford 1/2 ton is a "bolt-in' even the original drive shaft works with big n little universals!, I had the axles drilled for the small pattern, BUT am running 15" wheels. I switched to disc in the front. Hope this helps.
46 Achers
I have used the wheel adapters, they are an "easyfix", BUT do not recommend them. If you drill your wheels/hubs for the the GT wheels they may have clearance problems, they are 14".
I switched my rear-end to a 9", the 67 thru 72 Ford 1/2 ton is a "bolt-in' even the original drive shaft works with big n little universals!, I had the axles drilled for the small pattern, BUT am running 15" wheels. I switched to disc in the front. Hope this helps.
46 Achers
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From: Ashland, KY
Thanks for the info 46achers. I'm going to the big swap met in louisville in march. I can find some wheels down there. Really you can find adout anything there. I hope to bring a truck load back with me. I would not mind to have the wheels that come on the 85-86 or 87 trucks. I like those.
