I restored my truck in 1986 to new condition. Due to age, we just rebuild the 1938 Ford 1 1/2 ton to 2 ton dump [81"U" 134" 85 HP] . I discovered we have 2 bent wheels which seem to be specific to the 1938 1 1/2 to and 2 ton trucks. Manual shows part number is 81T- 1015.
Does anyone have these or some clue where I can look for them?
This forum or better Email at waynefoley76@gmail.com of 793-759-2371 anytime
Thanks to all
Wayne38

 

Welcome to the forum, Wayne. As you said, the 81T 1015 number was found in the Chassis Catalog, not on one of your wheels. Research I previously did tells me that the 81T 1015 corresponds to Budd #34909. It is described as a 20” x 6” (4.33” using the current standard), having the Firestone RH style outer rim with continuous/unbroken side ring and having 7” of backspace. You should find that 34909 stamped on the concave side inner face of the center disc. There are a number of period wheels that would match, or nearly match, that description. If you find different Budd numbers than I cited I’d be interested in knowing what you find so I can look them up. Stu

 

Stu
Great info. The wheel description you gave seems to follow the old Ford truck drawings I have. I Googled to try and track down the wheel thru Budd [Budd #34909; 20” x 6” (4.33” using the current standard)] but came up empty. I cannot locate the actual Budd company. Found some wheels on ebay but description is sketchy. Can you give me some direction? I will get back with you on findings
Wayne

 

The Budd Company is no more if you were hoping to find wheels through them. Budd was absorbed into a giant multi-national corporation (today called Maxion) back in the 1990s along with Kelsey Hayes and Motor Wheel. I have a library of old wheel references so can help you identify what you need. But first hope you can confirm, or correct, the number 34909 by looking at your wheels. If you don’t find any numbers please lay a straight edge across the concave side rim lips and measure down to the center discs. Should be 7”, but other specific wheels could be slightly more or less.

The most likely sources for these wheels are old salvage yards. I have some that I’ve rescued, but am not eager to part with. Rust is your main enemy on yard finds, especially in wetter parts of the country. I see you live in VA. I have friends who live out west and know of old yards still in operation who might help. Other forum members also might have spares. But first let’s be sure of what you need. Stu

 

Stu
I am having my truck put on a low boy today so I don't have to drive it 50+ miles with wheel[s] still in question.
Should have it by noon and will crawl under and look for the number. Could you tell me exactly where I should
look? Is it on the frame or inside actual wheel?
thanks
Wayne

 

Look at your rear outer duals focusing on the areas around the lug nuts. That is where you should find the number. Below is one of my 34909s. Stu

 

Stu
GREAT
Truck due back in AM tomorrow and will check number.
Thanks again
Wayne38

 

Stu and others;
Got my truck back and mechanic walked me thru his operation on possibly bent right front wheel. They lifted it then spun the right front
wheel and it did wobble but the hub and front end rock solid. It is not a bent hub as originally thought. Put some kind of gauge on it. Wheel bent x 3/8".Swapped out with the spare behind cab but spare was bent worse so put it back. Then swapped out with outer right rear and it seems to run true. Bent one put on outside right rear double and wobble does not seem to be noticeable but I want to at least replace this one.
Got a lead to look at rear wheels for a number stamp on wheel near lug bolts. The bent one on right rear has no stamped number but the
left rear wheels has a stamped number that looks like
C-35260
10-37
[see photo attached]
Little blurry but pretty sure this is it.
The front wheels are facing out [ not in like rear outside ] and no stamped numbers found.
I understand there are places that carry wheels by this stamped number but I have
not been able to find anybody that has any.
Any clues?
Thanks for any help
Wayne 38

 

The Budd 35260 is very similar to the 34909, and knowing how Ford substituted/interchanged parts for like parts it could well be original to the truck. It is described as a 20” x 6” (same 4.33” using the current standard), having the same Firestone RH rim design, but it has slightly more offset and backspace than the 34909. Your measurement from the straight edge across the rear lips down to the center disc should be 7.25” versus the 7.00” for the 34909. I have one which is part of a set with the 34909 I pictured, but I’m not interested in selling any of them. Your wheel having no number will be a Kelsey-Hayes product. They didn’t stamp numbers like Budd, only placing paper tags on the inner base rim now long gone. Hopefully this information helps and lets other members who have parts trucks speak up if they can help. Stu

 

With the help of Stu [ truckdog62563 ] and Chuck [ on another forum[ I am pretty sure I need to find 2 truck wheels 20" x 6" / 5 lug either that should have stamped numbers 35260 or 34909 on the inside of the wheel visible if the wheel is off or on the outer rear rims [ put on reversed from the front]. I found an old photo of one off a truck but I can't find them anywhere. I found several in old posts but they were sold 15 years ago. The consensus is I need to find a junk yard some where that will do a search of one near Northern Virginia so I can go look myself. Anyone have any ideas?
Wayne38

 

I might have one or two of those rims on my 1947 Mercury 2 ton. Let me check later today. , Doug.

 

These are the best pictures I could get today. It’s bloody cold here again.(-36 f with wind chill.) Supposed to warm up by the end of the week. Doug.

 

Doug - please hold off pulling wheels, unless you are fond of frozen fingers. I’m rethinking my “need” to hang on to the wheels that I know match what Wayne needs, and mine are in my warm shop, tires pulled, etc. I’d still need to test mount mine to spin and test for run out, but that’s easy. One of mine is a 35260 like Wayne’s, and the other is an unnumbered K-H that matches it. Both are “RH” 4.33s, having 7.25” backspace. Stu

 

Stu and Doug
This is a great help. Stu showed me how to find a stamped number on the wheel near the bolt pattern on the inside of the wheel which is the outside if on the rear.
Doug
do you see any numbers? I understand that there are subtle differences in these old wheels so something close may not fit.
I will wait for Stu's spin test.
Since I got her back from the shop last week, for an engine rebuild, most of the electricals do not work. We have 4" of solid ice
here in Virginia so I guess I will fire up the garage heater and climb under and start tracking. No as easy at 74 as it was the first time
when I was 40.

I am going to try and figure out the sections Stu sent as to which my wheels are.

Thanks guys
Wayne38

 

These are what we’re talking about. The Budd 35260 with date stamp 11/38, and the K-H stamped wheel that specs exactly like the 35260. Both came from a yard in Wendell, Idaho. They spin straight with minor deviations as they touch the dial indicator. There is an odd raised bit on a rear lip that you’ll see in one of the pictures. Been there since new I think, and I had the dial indicator below it on the base rim lip.

I don’t know if you’re in a hurry to get them, but I’m in no hurry to ship them. It’s winter, and I’ll have to move them to the unheated barn to strap them to a pallet (estimate 40” x 48”), and load them in my van. I’d suggest you contact Fastenal about their Blue Lane 3rd party shipping service. It’s generally the cheapest to be found. I’d be shipping from the Fastenal store located at zip 62702. I’ll estimate 75 lbs each plus a 20 lb pallet, so figure 175 lbs max. From here it’s a discussion off forum. You posted your email over on the EFV8 Club site so I’ll contact you direct. Hope this solves it. Please say if you have other questions/concerns. Stu