Sorry, I know this is simple, but I'm new to this. My wife doesn't want me to use "widowmaker" 2 piece rims, so I'm gonna be stuck with nice shiny new wheels, if I know what fits. Seem 17" X 7-1/2", 17" X 8", etc. , are easy 'nough to find, but what about tires and fender clearance on a '49 F3 with stock suspesion and fenders? LT235-85/17 seems close? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

What ever rims you do get you need to make sure you get rims with the correct backspcing. By doing this it will center your tires in the center of your wheel wells.
Here is a site to help you figure it out.

https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html

 

First thing I'll say, you are smart to listen to your wife. Probably she's smarter.

Where are you finding 17" rims that have 8 lug x 6.5" bolt circle? I just checked Stockton and Wheel Vintiques and they don't have that big in a minimal dish drop center rim. Anything in a newer stock rim will have a metric pattern. The 85 series tires you mention are pretty tall, but they shouldn't be any taller than the stock 7.50 x 17s that are between 34" and 35" tall. There should be plenty of room for them in the front especially given the fact that the wheel openings are big enough to handle any 20" or 22.5" tire. And, like the man said, make sure your offset isn't so far out in back so that they rub.

 

Thank you, very informative. Tire Rack doesn't seem to sell anything taller than a 70 aspect ratio for anything bigger than 15" wheels. I'll need 17's to clear the massive 14" rear drums and 4-1/2" hub diameter. Original tires were 7.50 X 17 , which should be around 195mm wide (7-1/2") with 8" (205mm) sidewall height, or 195/105-17, which no-one makes anything even close to that I am aware of. Will a 7.50 X 17 tire fit the newer 17"X8" wide wheels available now? I think I found wheels with the right bolt pattern (8"X6-1/2") and offset in 17"X8" and 17"X9" sizes. (Summit Racing) Thank you.

 

I'll check offset again. Or have my wife check.

 

Checked old split rims, 3-1/2" backspace on 7-1/2" wheel, so virtually 0 offset. Would 8" wide wheels with 0" offset then have 4" backspace. You're right, wheel wells look plenty big enough. Didn't know if your archives would have any threads on what worked for other F3 flatbed owners so their trucks still looked "right". A local supplier can order me my original size 7.50X17 tires . Thank you.

 

A new 8" wheel with 0 offset would have 4" BS. They are usually listed by diameter, width, and backspacing in Summit. The newer 17", 8 lug wheels are all made for tubeless tires. They may still be out there but I'm not aware of any tubeless 7.50-17's being made these days.

 

Just for reference, my daily driver is an '06 F250 which has 265-70-17" BFG's on it and they measure about 31" tall and the tread is about 8 1/2" wide.

Kevin

 

Michelin makes a 7.50R17, but it's recommended for a 6" rim. Here's the link:

Michelin Americas Truck Tires XCA Page

Your stock widow makers are a Budd product with part #49380-1. They are 5.25" wide and have 9/16" of offset. Too wide modern wheels could create rubbing on the inner front fender wells on turns. I forget if I've said it before, but another option that would retain a more original look to the truck are 17.5" tubeless that were sourced on a lot of Fords, Dodges, and others in the 60s. Also, GM used a Kelsey Hayes 17" wheel in the early 50s that was a three piece design. It has what's called an "AR" mount that uses a side ring and a small lock ring. Both will fit your truck, but finding them would take detective work. Stu

 

You're right about tubes. Your F-250's size tire would probably work, not that much wider than my original 7.50X17 and would only lower my ride height 1", as my old are 33" overall diameter. Tie rod end to wheel mounting face is 4-1/2", so I thought a maximum 4-1/4" backspace would be OK, which would center a 8-1/2" wide tread in the wheelwells. Thank you. Now I'll check BFG for available aspect ratios are available in a 265/ -17. Am I on the right track? Edit: Sorry, Stu, missed your post again.