1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

bartmcneill

bartmcneill

Well-known member
I just bought a 38 Ford Pickup with the wide bolt pattern. Will the wheels work with tubeless tires?
 

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I'm running tubeless radials on my '39 p/u with wide fives. The front tires loose 10 pounds or so every 2 weeks but the backs don't loose much pressure at all. Don't know if its due to the turning stress on the fronts that cause the air loss or if the wheels themselves leak. I'm guessing the loss is due to the stress from turning since the rear wheels are fine. At some point I'm going to dismount all the wheels and coat the insides with flex seal to see it solves the problem of the front loosing air. As for now I just air up every 2 weeks or so.
 
Another thing to consider is the condition of the wheels. Are they nice and smooth or pitted slightly? Does it look like the bead will seal and hold air? I have a '39 pickup. I'm running the radial tires that look like bias ply and the tubes inside.
 
I've had good results from xtra seal stopping air leaks on the beads, works way better than flex seal.
 

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I have a 39 chassis and its wheels are like regular ford pickup wheels. The 38 has the big bolt pattern and I've never dealt with them before. Really want to get this truck on tires.
 
Great looking truck , looks like my 39 when I bought it . My rims were so pitted I had to find some better ones , I found a guy who was street rodding a 37 car . They hold air very well . The old stock car guys loved these wide 5s claimed they were stronger .Sunshine
 
I run tubes also. Not a big deal. Some line the old rims with duct tape or get rim liners if you think needed. Tubes are fine. Why would you trust tires on a wheel and not tubes. 20 yrs now on tubes.
 
My 39 pickup had terminal cancer and I knew it was going to be a while before I got it on the road. I researched and bought four radial tires/tubes the same height as 16" bias tires and let's me move the frame around while working on it. Got the mechanical side done and now the really slow body work begins. I plan on running radials once drivable anyway.
 
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