Original Rims on e-Bay
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Bill, This thread sent me out to measure the wheels that I took off my 49 F-1. I know that they were not the original wheels since I wanted 15" wheels that took the original 49 hubcaps (nubs on the inside). I bought them in CA back in the 70's when I lived in Campbell. They are the 5.5" B C. I thought that the 15" came on the 46-48 Mercury. Well I went to measure them and three were 15 x 5 and one was 15 x 5 1/2! I ran those many miles not realizing the one odd width, in fact I drove the truck crosscountry in 1978 with the one odd wheel (see early pix in my gallery). Ignorance is truly bliss! So all that said, what were the two different wheel from?
The odd 5 1/2" wide wheel...good question...I know it's not a Ford truck wheel, as the widest wheel that used innie caps was 5 inches.
Could be from a Dodge or Studebaker truck which used the same 5 lug 5.50 bolt circle.
Or...a 1942/48 Lincoln Zephyr, or Continental.
Was there any remnant of paint striping on this wheel?
btw: I'm also sorry you sold that '38 Deluxe Station Wagon, and you seem to have a "thing" with wheels, if that pic is you with what appears to be a Deuce Coupe.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
Bill, Thanks for the reply. I had not thought of Lincoln on the 15 x 5 1/2. There is no pinstriping, the wheel was repainted sometime in the distant past.
The duece coupe was the fist car that I rode in and as witnessed by the pic, that I had an interest in!
I do lament selling the Woodie. When my kids were younger we had a lot of memories going on vacations in tne Woodie. My youngest son drove the Woodie to his high school graduation. He is my gearhead son. He works on high end german cars.
I got an iteresting book for Christmas from my older son. It is a recently released book on the life of Walter Marr. Looks interesting. He was the engineering brains behind David Buick in the early years.
Merry Christmas!
The duece coupe was the fist car that I rode in and as witnessed by the pic, that I had an interest in!
I do lament selling the Woodie. When my kids were younger we had a lot of memories going on vacations in tne Woodie. My youngest son drove the Woodie to his high school graduation. He is my gearhead son. He works on high end german cars.
I got an iteresting book for Christmas from my older son. It is a recently released book on the life of Walter Marr. Looks interesting. He was the engineering brains behind David Buick in the early years.
Merry Christmas!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
Hmm...I never measured any of the wheels. It would be funny if they were all different widths. The bolt pattern matches and the nubs are on the inside for the aftermarket hub caps.
They are 15", but that is all I know.
They are 15", but that is all I know.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
From: Owosso Michigan
if the wheels were 5 on 5 and 1/2 but were only 4.5 inches wide they might be from a Ford Tractor front wheels. I've seen some but didn't study them to make sure.....but I was told that might be what was on fleabay..it's not there to take a peek.
I used 1960's Jeep wagoneer wheels that were 7 or 8 inches wide for the rear of my 9 inch rear end and they have the perfect backspacing and have the hub cap inny nubs plus 4 vents where rim is welded to bolt plate.(?) I know the hole in center of the rim is bigger on the Jeep than stock Ford rear but it has worked fine for 15 years worth of driving so far.
Michigan Rick
I used 1960's Jeep wagoneer wheels that were 7 or 8 inches wide for the rear of my 9 inch rear end and they have the perfect backspacing and have the hub cap inny nubs plus 4 vents where rim is welded to bolt plate.(?) I know the hole in center of the rim is bigger on the Jeep than stock Ford rear but it has worked fine for 15 years worth of driving so far.
Michigan Rick
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
I am putting a '94 explorer rear end with drums and front discs on the straight front axle under my '50 F-1, with the the bolt pattern being 5x4.5
1) Are there any stock rims available that are 16" 5x4.5? If there is such a thing would they accept the hubcaps and trim rings from the stock 16" 5X5.5 rims? If there is a 16" 5x4.5 rim what widths would be available?
2) I know there is a stock 15" rim, 6" wide, 5x4.5. Is there a stock 15" 5x4.5 rim available in a 8" width? Would this combo accept the same kind of trim rings and hubcaps?
1) Are there any stock rims available that are 16" 5x4.5? If there is such a thing would they accept the hubcaps and trim rings from the stock 16" 5X5.5 rims? If there is a 16" 5x4.5 rim what widths would be available?
2) I know there is a stock 15" rim, 6" wide, 5x4.5. Is there a stock 15" 5x4.5 rim available in a 8" width? Would this combo accept the same kind of trim rings and hubcaps?
1941-1949 K/KB 1 and 2 series pickups have a 5x4.5" BP, IIRC. You can try researching that. My KB2's are buried in the snow to just go out and measure them right now.
Here's an old pic I cut:
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
15" x 6.00" / 5 lug 4.50" bolt pattern wheels were used on some 1980/83 F100's.
Ranger/Bronco II wheels are also 4.50"
There were 7" wide 4.50" wheels used on some 1977/79 LTD II, T-Bird & Ranchero's, but they're 14"
btw: Your sig quote "We are holding our own" looked familiar, it took a few seconds to recall it's the last radio message the Edmund Fitzgerald sent to the Arthur M. Anderson.
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49willard: I read the book review of the Walter Marr biography in Hemmings Classics Car, haven't got it yet.
Hemmings also reviewed "Billy Durant" which I bought and read. IMO, it's a little sparse on info, especially after Durant was ousted from GM for the last time.
Billy Durant, The Creator of General Motors / by Lawrence R. Gustin / Univ. of Michigan Press / paperback / ISBN: 0-472-03302-7
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,773
Likes: 169
From: Pt.St.Lucie , Fla.
'49 -'51 Mercury or Lincoln wheels will fit the truck .They are 15" and will accept the caps and trim rings .I have a set . I used them on the 1ST-RIDE back in the day when I needed to convert to 15" wheels .
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
This is from the "Motor Wheel" (Company Name) Catalog.
Motor Wheel either made the OEM or OEM replacement wheel for all U.S. manufactures.
See if this helps answer your questions.
You may copy and save the page.
http://4tl8ford.com/Documents/Ford%20wheels.pdf
Motor Wheel either made the OEM or OEM replacement wheel for all U.S. manufactures.
See if this helps answer your questions.
You may copy and save the page.
http://4tl8ford.com/Documents/Ford%20wheels.pdf
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New User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Dick,
Thanks for the info, as well as to all the other replies on the question of wheel interchangeabilty. Mopar also used the 5x4.5 BC but I don't know the models and years. Would "Motor Wheel" happen to have a page on Mopar as well?
Thanks,
Gary in Colorado
Thanks for the info, as well as to all the other replies on the question of wheel interchangeabilty. Mopar also used the 5x4.5 BC but I don't know the models and years. Would "Motor Wheel" happen to have a page on Mopar as well?
Thanks,
Gary in Colorado
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,773
Likes: 169
From: Pt.St.Lucie , Fla.
CORRECTION !!!! After further close inspection of the stock ford truck wheel and the '49 - '51 Merc/ Lincoln wheel these are the same bolt pattern 5 x 5.5 .The ford truck wheel is 4" wide with the 3 raised areas on the inside for the cap to secure as the other wheel is 5" wide with the raised areas on the outside for the cap .I errored again in info .Some how 40 yrs. later things seemed the same but are not . Damn ,had another B-day Christmas eve too .
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 446
From: Central Illinois
Here's that whole Motor Wheel catalog from the Old Car Manual Project. Stu
Motor Wheels Catalog 1949-1964
Motor Wheels Catalog 1949-1964
