original style 16" rims for 78 F150
 

This might be a strange request but, is there any source for a set of original style steel rims for the 78 Ford F150 that are 16"x 6" x 5 hole lugs?? Closest thing I have found are the mid 60's bronco rims but they are too skinny and I don't think they will go around the disc brakes. I love the look of the original rims with the dog dish hubcaps but, with all the choices in 16" tires, I would like to find a set.
Thanks, Joe

How about looking at half-ton Econolines.. 80s/90s/00s?

Surf over to Roadkill Customs' cross-reference wheel database.

Here is Summit's offering in new 16" steel wheels with correct bolt pattern (I believe). Some look original to me at least... you be the judge.


https://www.summitracing.com/search/...6%2B4294920322

16" 5 lug 5.50" bolt circle wheels optional for 1955/79 F100's; 1966/79 Bronco's; 1975/79 F150's, but AFAIK, not for any year E100/150.

1973/79 16" 5 lug 5.50" bolt circle wheels are very hard to find.

I find that ... odd.

1961/67 E100's were available with 13" or 14" wheels. 1965/67 E100 Super Vans came with 15" wheels.

1969/74 E100/200's came with 15" wheels, as did 1975/96 E100/150's.

There's no 16" wheel listed for any 1/2 ton Econoline, be it an E100, E150 or E200.

It's not overly difficult to find something that will be serviceable, but finding one with "outie" bumps is more difficult.

These are either smooth or for innie hubcaps.

https://www.cokertire.com/wheels/ste...&wheel_size=68

I had assumed that given the transition of the automotive industry away from 15s that Ford would have done the same with 16s and maybe 17s on Econolines into the late 90s through the end of production.. that's what I find odd.

Thanks for the help! I have a starting point anyway. My 78 150 4x4 has the 300 six and 411 rear ends with the granny 4speed so it can use the extra height on the tires and wheels. It's too bad I like the original look so much lol!

What kind of back spacing should we be aiming for on average for our rigs?

In general, Dents seem to like around zero offset.

Backspacing would depend on wheel width. With a 6" wheel, 3 to 3.5" backspace would be about right. With 7" wheel, 3.5 to 4" backspace would be about right for example.

That makes perfect sense. thanks.