40 Wagon Custom 15" Wheels

[philipswanson]

I have decided to run custom 15" wheels and tires on my 40 wagon rather than the skinny, expensive stock tires. Any recommendations on source for wheels and tire sizes? All body and suspension clearances are stock.

Thanks, Phil Swanson

[Krylon32]

I've been really happy with several set of wheels I've purchased from The Wheel Smith. They have several styles and they'll make them to your specs and their powder-coating is excellent.

[19Fordy]

I realize you will be keeping your car stock. However, here's a good thread to read that may help re: rims and tires.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hlight=rake+40

Also, I use these on my 40 to protect the rims.Well worth it. They do fit 40 drums. Been using them last 10 years with no problems.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1928-1929-1...frcectupt=true

[Automotive Stud]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

I realize you will be keeping your car stock. However, here's a good thread to read that may help re: rims and tires.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hlight=rake+40

Also, I use these on my 40 to protect the rims.Well worth it. They do fit 40 drums. Been using them last 10 years with no problems.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1928-1929-1...frcectupt=true

I've switched over to a bigger seat lug nut to protect the wheels with no issues.

[woodiewagon46]

I have radials on my '46 Woodie and the wheels I purchased are from Bob Drake. I ordered wheels, stock hubcaps and trim rings so everything would be correct and fit. Wheel Smith is also a great company. Both can give you the correct off-set you need to order. You won't regret the ride improvement that the radial tires will give you.

[philipswanson]

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I don't plan on getting radials. I have several cars and only plan to drive the 40 wagon less than 2K miles a year, if that. Up until now, I have never driven it! Tires have an expiration date of about 8 years so a total of 16K on new radials doesn't justify the cost.

[TJ]

Do not use a company called US Wheel. I bought some and my hubcaps would not even come close to fitting. I have had good luck with Wheel Smith and Wheel Vintiques. The other alternative is to find some 15" Ford pickup wheels from '56-'66.

[cas3]

i dont know what those new fangled lug lug nuts are for, but notice on a real ford lug nut the bottom 1 or 2 threads are gone, and the area is bored past the thread size to allow the nut to seat over the non threaded part of the stud. some new nuts with threads all the way to the bottom will feel tight, but really are running out of thread and bound up

[philipswanson]

Originally Posted by TJ

Do not use a company called US Wheel. I bought some and my hubcaps would not even come close to fitting. I have had good luck with Wheel Smith and Wheel Vintiques. The other alternative is to find some 15" Ford pickup wheels from '56-'66.

Will the 40 hub caps fit 56-66 F100 wheels?

[cas3]

yes

[woodiewagon46]

What tires do you plan on using?

[philipswanson]

Originally Posted by woodiewagon46

What tires do you plan on using?

I plan to run bias tires. Front: 205 X 75 X 15
Rear: 235 X 75 X 15

That way my speedo should be right on.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by philipswanson

I plan to run bias tires. Front: 205 X 75 X 15
Rear: 235 X 75 X 15

That way my speedo should be right on.

Your rear tire size should be perfect. I do think you need to watch the backspacing on the rear wheels. If it's in too far the tire could rub on the shock arm. Had that happen years ago on a 39 coupe that I had and it wore a grove on the inside of the tire. Your '40 caps will fit on the F-100 wheels.

[philipswanson]

Originally Posted by TJ

Your rear tire size should be perfect. I do think you need to watch the backspacing on the rear wheels. If it's in too far the tire could rub on the shock arm. Had that happen years ago on a 39 coupe that I had and it wore a grove on the inside of the tire. Your '40 caps will fit on the F-100 wheels.

I put Bilsteins on the back with weld on brackets so hopefully they will clear. My plan is to run 3.5" backspacing on the rear and 3.0" on the front as recommended by Bob at Wheelsmith. The rest of the suspension is stock 1940 wagon.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by philipswanson

I put Bilsteins on the back with weld on brackets so hopefully they will clear. My plan is to run 3.5" backspacing on the rear and 3.0" on the front as recommended by Bob at Wheelsmith. The rest of the suspension is stock 1940 wagon.

You'll be fine with those shocks and the mounting points.