wheels

[1932guy]

Hi, new to the Ford barn, I am restoring a 1932 ford 1 1/2 ton truck and need 2 wheels they are 20"x6" split rims with 5 on 6 3/4 bolt spacing I am in central Maryland can anyone help? thanks Russ

[JM 35 Sedan]

I also own a '32 Ford 1-1/2T truck that needs two wheels among many other things. I have advertised here in the past for these wheels and got no response. I plan to keep my eyes peeled for these this year at Carlisle and Hershey. If I find some extras I could contact you and you could do the some for me. Can you possibly post some pictures of your truck? I'll post a few of mine.

[truckdog62563]

Interesting that questions like this come up at the wrong times. Every year I go to the Iola, Wisc, swap meet and for several years there have been two vendors there that have Budd wheels for old BB and AA models. Iola was a few weeks ago in July. I always buy wheels having my 5 lug x 8" bolt pattern to make them available to guys that need them, but haven't seen any great demand for these earlier wheels. BTW, the bolt pattern prior to 1934 was 5 lug x 6 7/8" to be technically correct. I'd have to think that there would be similar vendors at Hershey this coming October. More so there than at Carlisle.

If you find wheels, be very certain to buy them with the locking rings attached. There were five different lock ring/rim design combos used back then. The rings and rims must not be mix-matched. The designs were the Firestone "DT", Firestone "R", Firestone "RH", Goodyear "L", and Goodyear "LB". Here are cross section diagrams of each. Stu









Edit - Here's the rest of the story. This is a scan of the 1933/1934 Budd catalog with specifics of the AA/BB wheel options with part numbers. Stu

[1932guy]

wow, thanks for info,you have told me more about these wheels , than I was able to find on internet,I think I have the DT wheel I am going to Hershey for the first time this fall. Thanks Russ

[1932guy]

Hi, her are some shots, the happy day it came home,and now as progress slowly brings her back to life. thanks Russ

[JM 35 Sedan]

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Hmmmmm, now where have I seen two of those three guys before? I know the one guy on the right has to be the rollback driver, whom I do not know, but those other two renegades sure do look familiar . Keep on trucken' Russ, you've come a long way on that one, so don't stop now until you can drive it. Those other projects can wait

[1932guy]

Jerry, Thats me, Hutch and my brother, The rollback is from my work. I would like to come up and photograph your truck to help on putting back together. thanks Russ

[JM 35 Sedan]

Truckdog, that is an awesome post on the truck wheel configuations. A lot of info that I didn't know about but now have saved and tucked away in my files on '32 1-1/2T trucks. Thank you!!

[JM 35 Sedan]

Hey Russ, I know to old buddies when I see them especially the one with gray hair . You know where I live and you are welcome to come up anytime and take as many pictures as you like. Although keep in mind that my truck is not 100% original. Someone somewhere along the way replaced the original 4banger with a Model A engine so that is now driving me towards putting an early 21 stud FH V8 in place of the Model A that needs rebuilding anyway. However, I do not plan to start that until my other projects are completed. Hutch (an others) keep reminding me that I need to keep focused on the hot rod project.

Originally Posted by 1932guy

Jerry, Thats me, Hutch and my brother, The rollback is from my work. I would like to come up and photograph your truck to help on putting back together. thanks Russ

[truckdog62563]

As you guys do your search for these wheels, you'll likely find the Budd part numbers stamped on the wheel's concave side rim lip. Generally opposite the valve stem. Using the above part number chart you can better ensure that you are getting the right wheels.

But since part numbers changed as newer wheels were produced over the years that these were in service, you can also measure the bolt pattern by putting a tape on the extreme edge of one stud and measuring to the middle of the third stud in the rotation. Doing this on an unmounted wheel will require that you visualize where the studs would be in relation to the wheel's stud holes. As said, the measurement is 6 7/8". Stu

[1932guy]

Stu, You seem to know more about these wheels than any one else,do you know the range in years that this same size wheel was used, so I can expand my search and if any other make used same wheels. thanks Russ

[truckdog62563]

Dodge Bros. used the same pattern, and same part # Budd wheels, on their one ton and 1.5 tons between 1932 and 1935. Models "K", "KX", and "KF". The latest listing I have for that bolt pattern in a DRW configuration is in Budd's 1944 catalog. That catalog lists the #33469 (20" x 6") as now having an "LB" ring. The #33855 is shown with the "RH". The #33530 (20" x 5") has an "LB" and the #32898 has the "RH". It's amazing to me that the part numbers did not change over that span of years.

It's important to understand that the National Wheel and Rim Association (NWRA) measurement standard at the time quoted the wheel width measurement from rim lip to rim lip across the wheel. The actual width down inside the wheel between the rim lips of a "5 inch" was 3.75". The actual width of a "6 inch" was 4.33". At some point in the late '40s IIRC the NWRA changed the standard to be the actual width measured across the wheel at the inner base.

The only other vehicles to use the 5 lug x 6 7/8" bolt pattern were the 1939 to 1947 Ford tonners in a flat dish car type wheel, and the war era IHCs and Dodge Power Wagons. The Ford wheels were 17", and the military wheels that I'm aware of were 16". Stu

[NDTMAN]

Running into the same problem here I have 4 split rims but need two more for the duals. I got 6 1951 rims but just found out they are the suside rims and are not good to use unless I am mistaken. I wish there was an after market wheel that would fit then I would sell my four rims. Looking for help in Michigan

[truckdog62563]

Originally Posted by NDTMAN

Running into the same problem here I have 4 split rims but need two more for the duals. I got 6 1951 rims but just found out they are the suside rims and are not good to use unless I am mistaken. I wish there was an after market wheel that would fit then I would sell my four rims. Looking for help in Michigan

In 1951 just about all the F-4/5/6s had the "widowmaker"/"suicide" style outer rims. The technical term for them is Firestone RH-5°. Your bolt pattern is the 5 x 8" pattern that was used from 1934 until the late 1970s. Other multi-part wheels were made during these years that have Goodyear "locking ring" style outer rims. These can still be serviced at big truck or ag type shops. Also available starting in 1956 were one piece tubeless wheels in both 19.5" and 22.5" sizes. Both will fit your truck. The 19.5s are still reasonably available because many old Ford/Dodge motorhomes came with them.

With Iola coming next week I'll be watching for old wheels if they are priced right. This time too I'll pay attention to the older wheels with 5 x 6 7/8" pattern. Stu McMillan

[32B]

Call me stupid, but I see 6 wheels on that truck when it was dropped off? I am in the process of having my 6 sandblasted, painted, and installing the new rubber as we speak.

[NDTMAN]

yes I have extra budd wheels that 5 bolt 6 3/4" 20" but still looking for the 20" 5 lug on 8" spacing need two would love to trade.

[gerrald meacham]

i have a 1934 truck dont know the wheels but they are split rims

[B-O-B]

hey guys, when I had my 56 f-500 dump I was collecting motorhome(70s dodge chassis) wheels as they are only 19" & I thought I could lower it by a few inches by installing these wheels. I never did find a complete set & have since sold the truck & gave the buyer the wheels. Just a thought if you don't have to be politically correct. That was built for the US army & all the chassis was extra strong built per the PO from the army