China : where good detroit iron goes, only to return a year later as inexpensive goods. Here are some photos of my 6 lug to 8 lug project......

 

I found a set of 5 budd 79120 tubeless rims and tires this weekend at a local wrecking yard. They are 17.5 inch and came with good tires. These fit great on my F350. I replaced all the rear wheels but still have the lock ring RHP 16.5 rims in the front.

The quality and thickness of the steel in these rims seem to be identical to the RHP rims. I had read somewhere that the lock ring rims were a heavy duty option and that the tubless rims were light duty. Maybe they seemed light duty in 1966 but these things are made of some serious steel.

If anyone has a 79120 rim they want to part with I just need one more to complete the set.

By the way, I see that stockton wheel is back in business and their website is up and running. Has anyone contacted them to get a quote on big six lug rims since the new ownership?

 

Hat were those buddy rims originally used on? This thread has so much info I'm getting confused

 

I AM LOOKING FOR 4 6 LUG 16" TRUCK WHEELS THAT ARE NOT SPLIT RIMS. THE CENTER HOLE ID 5" I AM NOT SURE AS TO THE BOLT PATTERN, I WILL CHECK IT OUT PLEASE CALL 719-746-0137 OR EMAIL ME AT hrphauling@aol.com IF YOU HAVE SOME OR YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN GET SOME. THANKS HRP

 

It would be more helpful if there were more photos of rims instead of discriptions and part numbers.This F 350 has the 6 lug 17.5" one piece rims. THese are the best version, the 3 hand hole type.Ford : F-350 Ford : F-350 | eBay

 

What year/series of Ford truck came with 6 lug 16" DRW?

 

From my research there have never been any 16" dual rear wheel style one piece wheels made having the 6 lug x 7.25" pattern. The best options are the 17.5s. The first back in 1956 through the early '60s were Budd #71320 having six hand holes. The later wheel was Budd #79120 that had three hand holes. Pics below. Ford last used these in 1966, and IH last used them in 1968. Nobody makes them today so you'll have to do the search for good used ones. Stu

 

I dunno of any either, that why I typed what I did. failed to mention what year/make/series of truck he wants the 6 lug 16" DRW for.

 

Yeah, I followed you Bill, but wanted to nail it down for Harold Perkins. I'll add that besides Ford and IH, Dodge also used these through 1966 and Studebaker through close of operations in 1964 IIRC. Stu

 

Studebaker shuttered their South Bend and Chippewa IN assembly plants in November 1963, moved to their Hamilton Ontario Canada assembly plant.

Trucks, Hawks and Avanti's were not assembled in Canada, just Larks. There were enough 'leftover' Studebaker 170/259/289 engines available for 1964 Larks, 1965/66 Larks used Chevy engines.

Lark production ended March 1966, Studebaker (1852-1966) then closed their doors for good.

Truck and Avanti tools, jigs and parts sold to Newman & Altman, long time South Bend Studebaker Dealers who also owned Standard Surplus (obsolete parts).

Avanti II introduced in 1965 by Newman & Altman (came w/a Corvette engine), but trucks were never assembled by them.

Rare then, much rarer today: Only 1,548 1964 Hawks were assembled, all in South Bend.

 

Okay, with Nov of '63 being the end of production there must have been relatively few 1964 trucks in total. Do I understand correctly that all truck production ceased, even the smaller Lark based units?

I'll add for Harold Perkins, the #71320 pictured above was one of mine, now long gone. The #79120s pictured might still be available at a yard in South Dakota. I can have the friend who found them drop by and comment if you want to track them down. Stu

 

All truck production (Transtar & Champ) ended November 1963. Transtar name sold to Cornbinder.

Champ cab and front end sheet metal based off 1959 Larks, used Champ only grille. Styleside bed was bought from Dodge. Studebaker reskinned the Dodge tailgate's, so it read Studebaker.

The other bed had outside fenders (like a Flareside), but no steps (don't recall what is was called) was introduced in 1949, used thru November 1963.

Basically the Champ, introduced in 1960, dated to the 1949 R Series. Studebaker bolted on a fiberglas snout in the mid 1950's to update the R's styling.

But production was miniscule for all their trucks, so why did they bother? Why did they bother introducing the Champ?

If you think the cab is tight on 1948/52 Ford trucks, just wait'll you sit in a Champ. I'd love to have one, but would need a cherry picker to get in/out.

btw: Ever frugal Studebaker (who had an 1860's 5 story former wagon assembly plant crammed with dead parts), took the Champion nameplate used on 1956/58 cars, cut off ion, then rechromed the now Champ nameplate.

 

That says it. Thanks Bill. Stu

 

as far as i know the 79120s are still there. i might just buy the darn things to get them outa there. someone is gonna need them sooner or later.

 

Sounds like a good plan, Mark, if you don't mind wrapping up the funds. Somebody is gonna need them. Stu