I have searched internet and asked local tire shops but haven't had much luck. I have a 1950 F-6. I bought it pretty much restored, I just use it as a parade truck. I think it may still have original tires on it. Only a couple hold air and they are serverly weathered and cracked. I fear going down the road with it and besides they look so bad they take the attention away from the rest of the beauty of the truck. I can get new tires (8.25x20) easy and cheap enough but no one will touch the split rims and I don't blame them. The truck has a 5 hole bolt pattern. Does anyone know of a place that makes, sells or a guy can get modern aftermarket steel one piece 20 inch rims that would fit on the truck with this bolt pattern? I would even settle for a smaller or bigger size. Like I said it pretty much only get driven in parade. It is retired from grain hauling.

 

This subject has been dealt with many, many times before. Do a search for "widow makers" and look for posts by either me or Truckdog. You'll find all the information you need. Les Schwabb sells rims made by American Wheel that will work on our big trucks. Also, you may find wheels with the snap ring type system. Also mid '70s RVs with Dodge chassis have 19.5" rims with the same bolt pattern, that's what I have on my F-4.

Do the search though and you'll find all the information. The FTE search kind of stinks so you may what to do a Google search instead:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7429325

 

Like Bob says, it's a problem that every big truck guy has faced. Your 20s have the 5 lug x 8" circle bolt pattern. The only new wheels I know of being sold with that pattern are 19.5" x 6" motor home wheels that are available from American Wheel Specialist in Pasco, WA. They look a bit different than the old ones, we think because they are made to clear disc brake calipers on newer motor homes. Our member Eric has a set and is happy with them. Below is a thread link to his posting about them.

Used rims in either 19.5" or 22.5" would keep your truck looking more original. The 22.5s are the actual replacements for your 20" tube type rims. Your first impression will be that they would be too big to replace your 20s, but that's not correct. The tubeless wheel profile is such that the 22.5" tires have the same outside diameter as your tube type 20s. Here's a diagram that will explain it better than I can say it.



Used 19.5" motor home wheels will work, but they are technically the replacement size for a 17" tube type wheel. They'll use a much shorter tire, approximately a 34" diameter, than your original 8.25 x 20s that are about 38".

While I see that you are in MN, I ran across a partial set of 22.5s this week in the Salt Lake City area. This truck has five 22.5s and one locking ring 20" on it now. The place won't sell the wheels separate, but is only asking $1200 for the whole truck. A guy could buy the truck, swap wheels, then resell or junk the truck. As hard as the 22.5s are to find, somebody would benefit from this swap. Here's a pic of the truck. If anybody is interested in the location, I'll post it.



A third option is to find locking ring 20s. Most big truck tire shops will still work on them. They too can be dangerous if handled wrong, but not nearly as bad as your original rims that have become known as "widow makers". They can still be found in old yards. I've got a set plus extras that I could help you with, but it's a long way from MN to Il and shipping would kill you.

And like Bob said, there's been a lot of threads here on the subject. Here are some of the better ones I've archived. Stu

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ck-wheels.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ml#post5470496
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...xperience.html

 

Need to replace those old wheels (the widow makers), 8.25 x 20 tires,

5 lug with 8" stud pattern and with 5 7/8" center hole. Not sure why but, the stud bolts on the rear are bigger than the ones in the front which are 3/4".

Any help would be appreciated. Fritz 559-779-0080, honeydusa@yahoo.com

 

The rear studs are actually a nut with internal and external threads. You remove the first nut to remove the outer wheel. They you remove the external threaded nut to remove the inner wheel.

 

You're probably thinking the rears are bigger because you're looking at the Budd "inner cap nut". It has a square end and screws onto the standard 3/4" x 16 tpi wheel stud. I'll post a couple pictures that will help you see the relationship of the parts. Remember, you have both right and left hand threads.

I see you're in CA. Urban areas of your state might not make good hunting grounds, but the rural and desert areas I'd think would still have yards with either lock ring 20s, 22.5s, or 19.5s. I have a set of 19.5s I'd let go of, but they have good tires and shipping would kill you. There is a yard in the LA area that our friend Bill (NumberDummy) has recommended. IIRC its name is Southern CA Truck Wrecking, and Bill says the guy to talk to is Marty. Talk to no one else. Phone number is (323) 587-3144. Maybe others will speak up with sources to check out too. Stu

 

Just following along. I haven't replaced mine yet.

 

Wow, thanks for this extremely valuable info and responding so quickly.
Yes, I am out of California but am here now in the middle of North Dakota's oil boom where I picked up this old grain truck and will be for awhile. Will definitely call So Cal Truck Wrecking on Monday. Any recommendations for here in the upper mid-west? Thanks again, Fritz

 

I should have first welcomed you to the group. Glad to have you, and glad you're saving another big truck.

Our friend 1952henry also lives in the middle of ND. If he doesn't drop by and comment I'll do him a private message and see what he suggests. He's working the boom too. He's originally from ND but was out in OR for several years before moving back home. Stu

 

I have totally forgotten my manners. Welcome to the site!

And I will also congratulate you on saving a big truck.

 

Check Johnson's Auto Wrecking on the west end of Mandan. I know I've seen 20" five lug wheels out there. Can't say if they were 5X8 for sure.

 

I have obtained two(2) steer tires and four(4) traction tires that are all on wheels with 3/4" Lug Holes. These were purchased to replace my existing tires and wheels if possible. The center hole is the same and the 8" circle pattern is the same.

Is it ok to eliminate the "Inner Cap Nuts" from the rear lugs and mount the these wheels with 3/4" lug holes directly? What is the purpose of the Inner Cap Nuts anyway?

Thanks for anyone's help, Fritz

P.S. How do attach a picture here?

 

The inner cap nut is required on the rear to allow the inner dual to be centered. The Budd style "ball seat" mounting system is based having lug nuts center the wheel on the hub. Without that you'd have only the torque of the outer nuts to hold which wouldn't do the job.

The other major mounting method, called "hub piloted", uses a single lug nut system and relies on the hub to hold the inner dual in alignment. That system is used on most modern trucks, and was pioneered by Motor Wheel Corporation in the '30s and used by Chevy/GMC/REO back then.

Posting pictures is easiest if you set up an off site account such as Photobucket, Flicker, and others. The other way is to become a "supporter" which allows you to post pictures from your computer. There's a third way that one of the guys will lay out for you, but the other ways are easiers imho. Stu

 

I am in Illinois. I would be interested in your set of wheels for my F4. Thanks

 

Where in Ill-annoy are you? You can't do private messages yet so if you want email me at stu_sandymcmillan at sbcglobal dot net. Stu