Narrow 15" Steels

[Ed Wrath]

Can anyone tell me what the narrowest 15" wheels that are available in early stud pattern? Thanks

[Vic Piano]

I'm sure someone will know, I'm not sure but I think 4" on the V8-60 powered vehicles...???

[42merc]

'37-'40, 60 horsepower, 3-1/2" wide.
'37-'38-'39 are wide five, '40 is 5-1/2" bolt circle. '40's are somewhat scarce.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

I'm sure someone will know, I'm not sure but I think 4" on the V8-60 powered vehicles...???

The 60 HP equipped cars got 3 1/2" wide rims as standard equipment. However, they were 16" diameter.

[thequietwon]

Originally Posted by 42merc

'37-'40, 60 horsepower, 3-1/2" wide.
'37-'38-'39 are wide five, '40 is 5-1/2" bolt circle. '40's are somewhat scarce.

Those are also 16" wheels. 15x5 is the narrowest I know of. These were available for sure on 53-56 F100, and some mercurys as well.
Sam

[JSeery]

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Are you only looking for original rims? I believe the rim folks can retain a center and weld on a new outer in different widths.

[V8COOPMAN]

How wide are '48 Merc wheels? They were 15" and 5 on 5 1/2" BP. Little hard to find, though. DD

[truckdog62563]

The earliest 15" disc type wheel I find record of is K-H #20369 which has 5 x 10.25" pattern, 5.5" wide, and was supplied on models 67, 73, and 77 between 1936 and 1939. Of importance, though, is the method used back then to measure rim width. The NWRA standard at the time was to measure across the rim lips. The NWRA later adopted the standard still in use where width is measured across the inner rim base. For this reason the 5.5" reference would today be closer to the 4" figure mentioned above. Stu

[TJ]

In 15" with the 5 1/2 inch bolt pattern I have not seen anything narrower than 5".

[Vic Piano]

Originally Posted by Kube

The 60 HP equipped cars got 3 1/2" wide rims as standard equipment. However, they were 16" diameter.

Yup, I knew that. I missed the 15" part of the question... Didn't have enough coffee in my system when I responded... LOL

[blucar]

Wheels on the '47-48 Merc, they might have been available on the '48 Fords, are 15" x 5", 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern.. The same size wheel can be found on '50-'66 pickups..
I have personally owned '64-66 Ford pickups that had mixed sizes of wheels, all with the internal hubcap knobs, 15" x 5 and 15" x 5.5.
Generally speaking if a wheel has external hub cap knobs it will be 15" 5.5, however, it could be 15 x 6 or 6.5..
I have noted throughout the years that if a wheel has original paint with two pin-strips around the hub, and it has a 15" tire, it is most likely a 15" x 5" wheel.. If the wheel has no tire, you'll have to measure it..

[felix37]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Are you only looking for original rims? I believe the rim folks can retain a center and weld on a new outer in different widths.

Coker Tire makes custom width wheels with the Ford centers.

[Ed Wrath]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies....I'll see how I get on with the 5's

[42merc]

Originally Posted by 42merc

'37-'40, 60 horsepower, 3-1/2" wide.
'37-'38-'39 are wide five, '40 is 5-1/2" bolt circle. '40's are somewhat scarce.

Looks like I need a reading comprehension course.

[tubman]

In my younger, carefree days, I used to make narrow 15's by getting VW rims and welding them on to other centers. Sometimes we had to trim the centers or use spacers. I had a Model "A" spindle and wheel mounted to a heavy base I used to true them and do the trimming. Looking back, we never had any problems, but it would probably be frowned on these days. Also put Buick rims on Ford centers; that took a lot of trimming. Those were the only ones that gave me pause. Amazing what an 18 year old with a Miller "buzzbox" can accomplish.

[estout81]

Amen Tubman on post#15! That was REAL hotrodding! Did all kinds of things like that back in the '50's and '60's that would be frowned upon today!