F3 Rim tire Size - another question

[52FordF3]

I been searching around. I see a lot of talk about original size rims and tires. But what have you guys used for after market rims and tires. I see the original diameter was about 34" for the tire. But the width was pretty narrow. I was looking at using an 18x9 rim with a 0 offset. I am a little worried after taking measurements that the tire will hit the driver side steering arm on the gear box with a tire larger than 32". So I wanted to get knowledge from those that have already went through this exercise. If you used a different offset how does it look/fit? If using the smaller tire how does it look? Any insight from the gurus here would be great. By the way need the larger rim to clear the disc brakes on the front.
Jeff

 

[truckdog62563]

The solution I've heard of is the use of 1990s era Dodge 3/4 ton 17" wheels. They are wider, probably 7 inch although I've never heard exact info on them. They work best with a small spacer to move the wheel mounting surface outward. These should be common in local yards to allow you to buy one to do a test fitting. Stu

 

[52FordF3]

So no one has bought after market wheels for these trucks? I have some stock looking 16 wheels but they will not fit over the front disc brakes. Looks like a need at least 16" of clearance inside the rim which is why I was looking at an 18" rim. Maybe a 17" would work but I do not know the inside clearance. Like most of this stuff.. trial and error

 

[truckdog62563]

You might be left with trail and error if nobody speaks up having done the disc brake conversion. Seems odd that the marketer of the conversion kit hadn't worked through that before hand. I know nothing about aftermarket stuff, but do know that drop center tubeless rims afford brake clearance that doesn't exist with flat base rims. The tubeless equals of your 17" widow makers are the 19.5" X 5.25" Budd #71410s. They should fit, but will be expensive if you can find a set. And not something to invest in without doing a test fit. Stu

 

[52FordF3]

Thanks Stu.. You gave me more info than I had. I will continue the research.

 

[Scotty's 52 F3]

Right now I have stock 16" "Innies" from a 48 F2 on my 52 F3 but, I still have the original front drum brakes. I don't think they are going to clear a disc brake conversion.

I also have a set of late 80's 16" E 350 wheels that probably will since the Vans and F250's had discs. Was thinking about using these with some Baby Moons or clips so I could use the stock hub caps.

235-85R16 is about at close as I can get to the original tire. 32" tall.

 

[Scotty's 52 F3]

Here's the stock 7.50-17 on Widowmakers compared to the later wheel with 235-85R16's on stock Ford wheels from later E350 and F250.

Scott

 

[cas3]

there were 8 lug 19.5 wheels in the 60's -70's, they might clear your disk brake. i have two here

 

[truckdog62563]

Those are the Budd #71410s I mentioned. Available on F250s 1956 to 1966. Stu

 

[expavr]

Thanks Stu.. You gave me more info than I had. I will continue the research.

Try Stockton Wheel. They can fabricate any rim size and lug pattern center that you want. As Stu suggests you may want to start your search using a commercially available truck tire that will fit your F3's fenders. When I researched a radial tubeless for the tonner I discovered that the truck tires available in a 17" or 18" size were either too wide, too tall, or had limited selection. Also, BACK SET on both the front and rear wheels is important and to gauge that I would recommend you cut out a circular pattern from a piece of plywood using the diameter (17"- 18" ?) of the rim center that you want to use, bolt it to your hub and using the rim width (7"-8"-9" ?) that you're thinking about using establish whether or not the tire you're intending to use will fit in the fenders without hitting the fenders or the frame. I used this process to fabricate the 16" radial rims (photo) for the tonner and discovered that not only was The back set important the size of the tires (diameter) also played into the equation. Much to think about. Good Luck!!!!
Les Williams