My '56 F-350 has wheels with the sixteen-inch, six-lug x 7-1/4-inch pattern which, as most of us know, is not a very popular pattern. My understanding is that one-tons from '53 up to around '65 used these. Mine have the locking rings and I would like to go to a one-piece wheel. Stockton Wheel has these in their catalog, but they are $175.00 a pop-ouch!!! I've been communicating with a fellow in Washington state who has five wheels, six-lug x 7-1/4 inch (One piece), but they are 17.5 inches. The numbers on them are as follows: 17.5 x 5.25 (Width?), max. tire size 8-17.5, Budd # C 59 3. He says that they are the 7-1/4 pattern, but he does NOT know for sure what they came off of. I have been told that some later model Dodges used this pattern, along with some Internationals. So, to make a long post even longer, are any of you familiar with whether or not these will fit my F-350? I have seen pics, and they do have the deep offset like mine. I'm tempted to go ahead and pay for one and have him ship it to me just to be able to tell if the wheel is right. Comments, ideas, recommendations? Is 17.5 a popular tire size? Is this worth the risk? Or, should I just stay with what I have? I would like to put radials on the truck, eventually. Thanks in advance.

Johnny

 

Captradiator - Let me do some research. I've got Budd parts books covering the 40s through late 70s that give size, dish, bolt pattern, you name it. I've also got a Hollander interchange that will tell me what trucks used that size. I'm not sure that part # is good. All the Budds that I've seen have a 5 digit part number. I'll get back to you. Stu

 

T.D.

Thanks for the response. I'll be looking forward to what you find out. By the way, still looking for a home for the F-5/M-H...

Johnny

 

The wheel you're looking for is in both my 1972 and 1979 Budd catalogues. It is Budd part #79120. It's a 6 lug, 17.5" x 5.25", 5 9/16" center hole, 7 1/4" bolt circle, tubeless truck rim. It has a 15 degree drop center, 4 3/4" offset, disk thickness is 1/4", dual spacing is 9 1/2", approx. wt. is 33 lbs, max load per wheel is 2155-60. It requires a 90 degree cone cap nut. The Budd number is always stamped on the back side of the rim. Unless you're looking at a DRW installation, then it will be facing you. Normally I find the numbers (after doing a lot of scrapping) opposite the valve stem. I wasn't able to get you much from Hollander because my book only goes up to 1956. I did, though, see that your current wheel was used on a wide variety of makes. Dodge, IH, GMC, Studebaker as well as Ford. But, a bit of good luck, I found an IH part # to cross refer to the Budd number. The IH part # is 156 110 R92. Maybe your local IH dealer can give you more cross reference info, or maybe even availability info. The best I can figure on tire size is that they recommend a 7.50LT width tire for that rim width. So, tell your guy in WA to scrub on the back rim lip to find that 79120 number. Good luck.

 

Stu,

Thanks a bunch for your research and results. The knowledge shared on the site is nothing less than fantastic! I'll keep you posted on what I find out from the man in Washington.

Johnny

 

I pulled a set of 6 of them off a 73 F350 dually flatbed. Didnt keep them for long as 17.5 radials are not exactly popular. I did pick up a set of 4 16" IH one piece with the same pattern and will be using them on my 54 F350 come spring when the old girl awakes. Time to retire the original 17" Widow Makers.

 

I got a new set of aluminum rim, had the holes welded up then I redrilled them to the correct bolt hole circle and on the rear I had to bore out the center a little, after all the machine work was done I had them buffed out and they look great. I've had them for ten year and they still work and look great with no problem.

 

286merc - That sent me back to the books and I don't find that wheel. I don't find any tubeless 16s with 6 bolt x 7 1/4 circle. What'd it come off of? All my stuff is specific to Budd, so it might be from another manufacturer or maybe a wheel newer than my books. Captradiator - while back in the book I did find another wheel that could be the one your WA connection has. It's part #73230. Same size, 17.5 x 5.25. Has a 5 11/16 center hole, same 15 degree drop center, but has much less offset, just 1/2". It's listed as a passenger type mounting which, with that much less offset, could mean it's a motor home wheel.

 

Stu,

The Washington man has found a number on all four wheels, 71320. Would you please research this number for me? Since I'm already eternally grateful for what you have already done, I'll just have to dance at your wedding or next significant event in your life>

Johnny

 

Please, no dancing. The 1979 book doesn't show this number. That's because the 1972 book's Numerical Wheel Index shows it to be superceded by 79120. Same wheel as above, different number. Interestingly though, the IH book gives it different number (156 110 R91), but I guess that too could have been superceded and I wouldn't know it. Anyway, go for it. Stu

 

Stu,

I do appreciate it. Okay, no dancing, but I can sing...

Johnny

 

It came off a 60's IH is all I know from the seller. Had 700 x 16 8 ply rubber on them. They are not Budd wheels, look just like any regular car or light truck wheel. No radials back then but I'll be mounting 8 ply LT215 x 85R16's on them since my F350 does get used as a truck at times.

 

286merc - Thanks. It shows to go that there is no way any one of use can know all that's available out there. I'm looking for wheels for my trucks all the time, and knowing that other manufactures might have made them for IH points me in new directions too.
Cap - sing to your heart's content! Stu

 

IH used the same wheel on their 1 Ton trucks in the 60's and early 70's. They will go right on and I think they were solid 1 piece rims.

 

Evans,

Thanks for the tip. I plan to do some junk-yardin' this weekend.

Johnny