OK, I did the search, found many posts on the multi part wheels.
What I can't find is a replacement wheel for a 1950 F-3
I know I don't want to use the stock "widow makers"
With 14 inch brakes on the rear, a 16" wheel will not clear the drum.
Anybody know of any alternatives??

 

Most guys change rear ends to improve road speed and to get around the problem. If you want to keep your rear end, the easiest option (other than doing the search) is to find a pair of 17.5" tubeless wheels from a 60s/70s era Ford/Dodge for the rear. A bunch of them were made but I can't give you a source. It'll take detective work searching yards.

It's also possible that 16.5" tubeless might fit. I've never tried it so you'd have to measure if you find a set. I'd think they'd be easier to find than the 17.5s.

As I guess you know, any modern Ford/Dodge 16" tubeless having 8 lug x 6.5" circle will work on your front. It is possible that some will have less of a drop center than the old stock F-2 16s (the ones that won't clear your drums). If so, you might find that the newer tubeless wheels you find for the front will also clear the rear drums.

Another option is to pull your stock widow maker centers to have mounted in new tubeless rims. I've heard that Stockton Wheel does this, but don't have an absolute knowledge that this is true. Also, if they do it I'd think American Wheel Specialist in Pasco, WA, could do it too. It'd give you a price comparison. If you call these sources, make sure they know that the wheels are a Firestone RH-5°, single rear wheel design. They are termed a "semi-drop center" if that matters to them. The wheel's center disk has a 15 9/16" outside diameter. If you Google "Stockton Wheel" you'll find their web site. American Wheel Specialist doesn't have a web site but their phone number is (509) 543-9305. The owner's name is Juan Murillo, his son's name is Shaun.

I think those are your options. If you have success, please come back and give us details so we can share with others. Thanks. Stu

 

There ARE some 16 inch wheels out there that will fit over the F-3 drums. I know that only because I have a pair on the original rear end out of my 48 F-3. However, I do not know what to tell you to look for because I don't know what they originally came off of...

 

Pretty much the answer I was expecting. Was planning on keeping the old beast pretty much stock but this wheel thing pushes that idea out of the way. Now if I can find a later model Dana 60 with some decent gears.

 

Vern - If you would sometime, look at your wheels and see if there are any numbers stamped on them. If so I might be able to track what they came on. Thanks. Stu

 

Stu
Would it be possible to weld the WM together at the split?
If this is possible could the tire be bounted or is it too heavy?
If both the above is possible have I just won one of those gazillion dollar X-Prizes?
Or was this one of those excess brain space questions?

 

say what????????????? where,s ed mcmahon? how does one enter such a big dollar game? tell me - tell me.

 

Dick: Yes, it would it be possible to weld the WM together at the split. But no, I don't think you could mount the tire because the bead on WM is too tall and angled to allow a tube type tire to squeeze over, and there'd probably be no way to ensure an air tight fit to allow use of a tubeless tire. So, I'm sorry, but you do not win the Grand Prize.

But for asking your question, you have won a valuable gift certificate and an appointment to meet with our vinyl siding saleman. You'll be receiving a call from our pleasant recorded message any minute now. Thanking you in advance. Stu

 

Both wheels still have tires on them. Can I see the number without pulling the tires off? Where would it be?

 

Sometimes the manufacturers stamp part numbers on the rim's edge. Can's say for sure that there'd be any, and can't say whether they'd be on the face or back edge. It's just a shot in the dark trying to ID wheels that'll work for guys. Thanks. Stu

 

When I restored my '48 f-3 dump truck I too wanted to get rid of the original split rims. my aunt & uncle who I got the truck from told me a story of one of there nieghbors who was killed when he was hit in the head by a split rim gone bad. I had a few '86 E-350 vans that I was using for my seafood business with 16.5 rims- I put one of the rims on the '48 & they fit. I found plenty of 16.5's available with nice rubber at the local junk yards & bought 6 of them pretty cheap. I like the way taller rims look on the truck so now that I need new tires I think I'm going to look for 17.5's or something.

 

OUTSTANDING. This is GREAT. I was hoping that 16.5s would work. And like you say, they should be plentiful because they aren't that old. Thanks. Stu

 

Eric,

How does the rear wheels mount on your truck? There must be some kind of spacers in between. I have never seen single style wheels mounted as duals. I thought they had to be Budd type wheels to mount as dualies.

 

Double post

 

Bob - Google Arrowcraft adapters. Stu