What bolt pattern do I have?

[ersatz]

I have a 1946 Ford 1/2 ton pickup now with stock 16" wheels and 6.50 bias ply tube tires.

What bolt pattern are the wheels I'm now running?

I'd like to eventually replace the tube tires with radials which would also mean new rims for tubeless tires.

[rotorwrench]

They should be 5 bolt X 5 1/2" patern. Most of the early Fords prior to 1949 are.

Kerby

[ford1]

pretend the bolt holes are numbered 1 thru 5 around the bolt pattern, now measure from the out side of the bolt hole on #1 to the center of bolt hole #3, that is how wide the spacing is, and you may not need new rims if the centers are welded to the rim, if the centers are rivited to the rim you may then need new rims

[paul2748]

Can't you weld the centers to the outside if they are riveted?

Originally Posted by ford1

pretend the bolt holes are numbered 1 thru 5 around the bolt pattern, now measure from the out side of the bolt hole on #1 to the center of bolt hole #3, that is how wide the spacing is, and you may not need new rims if the centers are welded to the rim, if the centers are rivited to the rim you may then need new rims

[ford1]

you can, but the rivets and the holes will still be there, like i said some wont leak air, the only way to be sure is to mount the tubless tires on the rims and see if they hold air

[Lenney]

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I have a 1947 1/2 ton with stock wheels and the same 6.50 X 16 tires and would like to go with radials. What size radial tire is the best match for the 6.50 X 16 tire? Thanks for any help...

[ford1]

205 85r 16 will be very close

[PeteVS]

Other than possible air leaks with tubeless tires on old rims is the potential for a blow out. If you're cornering hard with low tire pressure, it might be possible for the outside bead on an outside tire to be pulled off the bead area of the rim resulting in rapid loss of pressure. This can be nasty. Rims designed for tubeless tires have a small raised bead about 1/2" in from the outside edge to help keep the tire in place during such events. I don't know if anyone has ever put a bead of MIG weld on a rim to duplicate that feature.

[BOSSY]

You can use a set of wheels from any 1/2 ton Ford pick up from 1940 to 90's. They are 15" by 6" with 5 1/2" bolt pattern. The 1940 to 48 are 16" by 4 or 5" wide with 5 1/2" bolt pattern. They bolt right on.

[ersatz]

Nice to know the bolt pattern, thanks! My next thread was going to be about what wheels/rims to use with radials, but this too was covered. Checked my wheels/rims and they're a riveted 2-piece, so different rims are needed.

Guess I'll start looking for other wheels/rims that I can run radials on. Would like to be able to use older style hub caps & trim rings so the stock factor can somehow be retained.

Anyone out there have any suggestions from their experiences? Thanks again for your help! TED.....

[ford1]

take a beauty ring and a hub cap to your friendly salvage yard and try them on older ford 1/2 ton p/u's, 70's and 80's,

[ersatz]

Good advice ~ ford1! Sounds like a nice reason for this retiree to get away from the house.