| jcoulter | -- 11-05-2009 @ 5:23 AM |
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Hi All...I am restoring a 1953 F-100 and would like to know the correct size and what year(s) wheels/rims will fit my truck...I have heard '48-'56, but would like to confirm this with someone in the club, as there are subtle differences among the years...Thanks...
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| trjford8 | -- 11-05-2009 @ 5:58 PM |
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The 48 trucks ahd 16 inch wheels(16X5) and the 56 used 15 inch wheels(15X51/2). I believe that Ford went to 15 inch wheels in 1953. The 1952 still had 16 inch wheels. If I am not mistaken you could have 16 inch wheels as an option when the 15 inch wheels became standard equipment.
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| wmsteed | -- 11-07-2009 @ 9:39 AM |
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Pickups have been one of my passions for many years. The older trucks I have built range from 1937 through 1979. For the most part, the 1/2 ton pickup wheels from 1940 through 55/56 are all the same 16", except for the rim width, which will vary from 5" to 5.5". The 5" rim is usually found on the earlier vehicles up through the early '50's. I use the term "usually" because I have seen the 5" rim on trucks as late as 1966. Ford offered the 16" option on 1/2 tons through 1966. Mercury used the 15 x 5 wheel in '47-48, with the inside hub cap knobs so this wheel is also found on 1/2 tons. Quite often people look at the bolt pattern and hub cap mounting, with little regard for the rim width. The 15 x 5.5 rim came out as standard equipment in 1957 on the 1/2 tons. The '53 F1 wheel would have been 16 x 5, however the 15 x 5.5 would be a better wheel for every day driving because of the availability of 15" tires compared to 16". When looking for wheels, make sure the wheel has the inside hub cap knobs which will work with the original hub caps. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
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| jcoulter | -- 11-11-2009 @ 5:15 AM |
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Thanks! This will help....Jeff Coulter
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| truckdog62563 | -- 11-12-2009 @ 4:48 PM |
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Sorry to be disagreeable right away, but the Chassis Manual for 1953 says that the stock F-100 wheel was a 16" x 4.5" having part number 8C-1015. Optional tires were a 6.00 x 16" or a 6.50 x 16". Stu McMillan
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| wmsteed | -- 11-14-2009 @ 8:13 AM |
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Once I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken... If, as pointed out, the Chassis Manual states that the standard wheel for a '53 is a 16 x 4.5 that would open up the options for wheels, because that is the size of a standard '40-48 Ford passenger/pickup wheel However, I will stand by my earlier statement... e.g. If you are building a driver, opt for the 15 x 5.5 because of the availability of 15" tires compared to 16's. I am very partial to radials... I have 23575R15 on 15 x 5.5 wheels on my '59 F100, with stock '59 hubcaps. True.... the 235's are a little "Fat", but there is plenty of room in the fender wells on a pickup. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
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| truckdog62563 | -- 11-14-2009 @ 12:02 PM |
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Yeah, we may want Jeff to give us a better idea of what he means when he uses the word "correct". If the goal is to have it get a Dearborn award, what I said above covers it unless he's worried about date stamps on his Kelsey Hayes wheels which is I think silly. If, however, we're talking about a driver, or near stock looking driver, then any Ford wheel that's 5 lug x 5.5" circle will do the job. Your point about the hub cap nubs is well taken if near stock appearance is the goal. Stu
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