is it possible to lower down from 20" wheels to 16" using the original axles?

 

First - Welcome to the board. Glad to have another big truck guy.

I think the answer to your question is ...maybe. There were 16" Budd wheels made that had the same 5 bolt x 8 inch circle as your 20s. The only trucks that I know of that used them were 48-52 F-2 Marmon-Herrington all wheel drive conversions. My F-3 M-Hs use 17" Budds that have the same front axle and drums as were used on the F-2s. I know that my 17s will fit on an F-4 because I've seen one that had them and talked to the owner about it. F-4s could be ordered new with 18" Budds. F-4s, F-5s, and F-6s all used the same front drums to my understanding. Therefore, 17s should work on your F-5. But whether 16s will work, the only way to know would be to find some to try. That's the hard part. I've seen one set on an F-2 M-H in the Ford 4x4 book, and another set on a truck that I've seen up close. So, finding a set to buy could be a life time's effort. Finding 17s is somewhat easier. You could look at Dodge Travco motorhome web sites to see if you can find some. They were used on these motorhomes during the 1970s and are Budd part #66520.

Why you want to do this is your business I guess, but I assume you understand that your rear end's gear ratio combined with the smaller wheels will yield a vehicle with very poor road speed. It'd be a great hill climber I'd guess, though. Hope that helps.

 

I've seen Winnebago RVs with the 17" five hole rims that might fit the bigger Fords. I am not sure if they go over the big brake drums though.

 

Any old Budd 17s that have the same bolt pattern will fit. In addition to the motorhomes, I know that Studebakers, IHs, and I think Brockways of the '40s and '50s used Budds by the numbers 44820 and 59340. If anybody knows of any of those 59340s sitting around, please let me know. I've also seen the 66520s on an IH R140 that were date stamped having been made in 1954/55. I know where that truck sits if you want to hassle with the guy to buy them. I gave up.

 

My 1972 Budd catalog shows three different width 16" tube type rims with that bolt pattern. FWIW they are Budd #s 47210-1, 68210-1, and 60670-1. Widths being 5.5", 6". and 6.5" respectively. More importantly, it also shows a 16.5" tubeless rim with that bolt pattern. Budd #85110. It's a 9.75" width, no doubt for single wheel applications. Other than that it's the 19.5" and 22.5" tubeless rims that most guys are interested in finding.

You might be able to find companies like Stockton Wheel, Wheel Vignettes, or Wheels Now that could make you new wheels in the 16.5" size if they could assure you they'd fit over your drums. I talked to Wheels Now a few years ago and learned they could make 17.5s with that bolt pattern, but couldn't replicate the Budd centers. Theirs would have had a flat center.

 

Thank you so much for your quick responses! What a great site! My F-5 was still on the road from a holler in NE Kentucky when I asked for your advice. I have only seen pictures so far on the internet of my BIG RED TRUCK FOR XMAS! I plan to customize the F-5 and make a really cool car hauler for my classic cars. I have a 1936 Cord replica, a 1950 Lincoln, & a 1949 Chrysler Club Coupe that I will soon be taking to different car shows and such.

Thanks guys!!!

 

Thanks for your interest as to why I'd want to put 16's on my F-5. I follow you about the slow ratio thing. I do plan to put a different rear end meant more for the roads and not hill climbing-lol. I just saw my truck for the first time about 9:30AM. I knew it was a big truck and I knew I wanted to lower it some. I agree w/you and 16's are going to be too small. I think I'll try 17's instead.

Thanks again!
hunkahunka5252
1948 F-5 (Big red truck for xmas 2006)

 

Swapping rear ends is a good idea. Finding one that has the taller gear ratio and strength to use as you describe, while keeping the stock bolt pattern and 17" wheels, will be a challange. I've heard of a guy that did this using the rear from an IH as I recall. If my memory serves, it was our friend Bob Jones (above BobJ49f2) that knows of the truck and has seen it at local shows. Hopefully he'll see this and jump on. If not, I'll email him about it. Keep in mind that the donor's rear drums will have to fit those wheels too.

By the way, I see that you live in Florida. There is probably no better state to live where you can search the wrecking yards for old motorhomes that would have those wheels. Hope you're having a Merry Christmas. Stu

 

To Truckdog & Bob49f2- You guys are too much! Please know that you both have a friend in me! Probably the best xmas I've had in a long time has been highlighted and enhanced by your kindness and warm welcome to the new kid on the block here on this wonderful site.
Stu-it's so ironic that you mentioned the salvage yards here in Fla. for old motorhomes and such. My F-5 doesn't have a bed so I have plenty of room to play with back there. I've been thinking about extending the cab to the rear for either a crew cab or a small (old fashioned type sleeper) and incorporate some parts from older motorhomes such as exterior doors and captain chairs. But I never thought about the wheels. What a great idea! Also, maybe that's where I could find the differential too or maybe just use the whole axles?
Anyway, lot's to think about and be thankful for!

Thanks again!

 

The truck I have seen around here is a '48-50 F-5 with modified PU box mounted on the back. I talked to the owner last summer and he told me he swapped a rear axle out of a early '70s IH truck. Coincidently, there was an IH truck next to his that was the same as the one he got his rear axle out of. It had the same five bolt hole pattern as the old Fords. He also told me the internals of the IH are the same as the early '70s-80 Fords and he was able to find a dealer on the West Coast who had higher Ford gears that swapped right into the IH rear axle. He did all of this swapping some time ago and couldn't remember the dealer he dealt with.

 

Hey Bob- Thanks again. I'll check in to all of your suggestions. I looked at your cool site. I bet that was pretty expensive to put together! I love your delivery truck...I don't think there's a better looking style delivery out there than that year Ford.
Man, I'd love to see some pics of your friend's 48 F-5 pickup as that is what I have in mind to do too. Either that or a car hauler. Stu had mentioned my looking in to motorhome salvage yards too for what I'm trying to accomplish.

take care-Tom (We'll find a way!)
hunkahunka5252
1948 Ford F-5

 

I only met the guy a few times at a couple of shows. I don't know him more than that. I didn't take extensive pictures of the truck only this one:



I met this truck going down a two lane highway once while it was pulling a horse trailer and it was hauling. The truck runs a big Caddy engine in it.

 

Oh my god Bob...that truck is beautiful!!! Thank you so much! Now that is what I had in mind. So, those are 17's right? And looks like he lowered it some too. The guy I bought my F-5 from had already put some big stack pipes on but not hooked up yet. I intend to use the stock flathead V8 and run dual exhaust to the pipes. I just need to figure out the rear end choice. I also want to maintain more of the stock look by keeping the bench seat and original steering wheel. I had considered captain's chairs from a motorhome but changed my mind. And now, after seeing this truck, I'm going to do the pickup bed too.
Thanks again Bob!

hunkahunka5252
1948 F-5

 

This truck was wearing 19.5" tubeless on Alcoa rims. 17" might look a little small on the truck but maybe not. 17" will be multi-part rims so you may not want to mess them.

 

Holy crap!!!!! that truck is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!! were in the heck did he find those wheels?