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Looks like this conversation has come full circle. The 17s that I mentioned are the lock ring style that were commonly used on trucks of this era. To my eye, seeing them every day on my trucks, they look better than the taller 19.5 or 22.5 tubeless rims that everybody is looking for. Actually, I think the 18s that were optional on F-4s look the very best on these trucks, but again, that's just my eye. My concern when you first raised the question on this was rear axle ratio. Unless you can find a rear end that has a ratio like a 4.11 or 4.86 as is used on my F-3, you'll have real problems with road speed using the smaller wheels. The taller wheels like the 19.5s would be a lot better answer if you can't find the rear end. Plus, the 19.5s let you use tubeless radials.
Alcoa used to make them but have discontinued them. There was a guy on uPay last year in central Illinois who was selling new ones but seemed like he couldn't give them away. He was selling them in pairs with a starting bid of around $50 plus and other $50-75 for shipping. I don't think he sold them. Keep an eye out for them, he may put them back on sometime.
Hello again- So...here we are solving the Ford F-5 wheel dillema again. So are you guys as good looking as you are smart? Or better yet, my Dad (may he rest his soul) had a German saying he enjoyed "We git too soon oldt- und too late schmart" He got the biggest kick out of saying that and usually at just the right moment when one of us would really mess up!
Anyway, back to the discussion here- Does anybody have an opinion of using wheel adapters?
I don't think that's a good option. I'm not sure wheel adapters even exist to allow you to go from your 5 bolt x 8 inch pattern to, I assume you'd want, 8 bolt x 6.5 inch circle. Even if you found an aftermarket item made for this application, or had some made, you'd be adding several inches of width that would push the wheels out so far you'd be hitting the fenders. Stu