1952 Dual wheel

gaaj427

Junior Member
Hello everyone,

I have an 11,000 mile dual wheel F3, cab is excellent, flat head runs good, putting a modified bed on it, etc... I need to replace the rims as they are original and I really like the heavy duty look of them. What later model rims will fit it while retaining the dually look.

Thanks!
 
A 1952 F-3 model would not have had dual rear wheels (DRW) from the factory. Suggesting that it was converted to DRW by a prior owner, and meaning there is no way to answer your question without good pictures and/or more information. It is possible that a prior owner, likely the original owner, had an aftermarket adapter kit installed as was common back then. These were made by the Dayton Company and sold to adapt the stock 8 x 6.5" pattern rear axle to either a 5 x 8" pattern or 6 x 7.25" bolt pattern. I have one of these old kits (#AD315) that included four Budd #59340 dual wheels. The part number is cast into the adapter. If you find that this is what you have, I'll most likely need only the number off the adapter and the bolt pattern to help you sort out replacement wheels. If this is not what you find, it is likely that a prior owner swapped rear axles, and we'd have to go based on its bolt pattern. Stu
 
Stu,

Thanks for the quick reply. Here are pictures of the truck wheels, any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 

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The truck may not be an F-3. The front and rear axles have F-4/5/6 hubs with 5 x 8" pattern widow maker Firestone RH-5° wheels. It has a 53-56 style F-250 bed, so the frame may have been shortened to allow it to fit. From the looks I'll guess it has 18" tires which means it's an F-4.

All that aside, replacement tubeless wheels are your best solution. Your options are either 19.5" or 22.5". I can help with 19.5s that will work with 8R19.5" tires to yield a 33.5" tall wheel/tire combo. That size will be a near exact match for the 7.00" x 18" tires supplied on F-4s. If you want to go with 22.5s, the smallest tire available is a 9R22.5" that will be 38" or taller. If you wish to look at that option I can refer you to sellers who have sets available. I can also go more fully into the advantages and disadvantages of each option if you wish. Stu
 
Stu,

You definitely know your Fords, it is an F4, I had F3 on my mind when I typed the post. The bed is wrong for it and I need to customize it (width and length) in order to fit the frame as I really don't like a flat beds. Regarding the tires, I really just want the best fit and look as close to the original style as possible so I yield to your knowledge on this.

Thanks,
Greg
 
Okay, it's an F-4. As I said above, the DRW tire option on all F-4s from 1948-1952 was a set of 7.00" x 18" bias ply tires. The below link to the Universal Vintage Tire catalog shows that tire is 33.8" tall. The nearest match to that in a modern radial tubeless tire is an 8R19.5 at 33.5". The wheel that works with that tire, having your 5 x 8" pattern, is Budd #89340 that is 19.5" x 6" wide. I have a set of these available if you have interest. The other tire that works on this wheel is a 225/70R19.5", but they are shorter at 32" which will negatively impact road speed and speedometer readings. If you wish to know more about the 22.5" option please say. Stu

https://www.universaltire.com/truck-and-military/truck/700-18-sta-transport.html
 
Wheels can be shipped by truck on a pallet at reasonable cost. I sent a set to Virginia this week. If you wish to discuss it please email me direct at stu_sandymcmillan at sbcglobal dot net.
 
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