'35 wheels on a 39 pickup

[Clem Clement]

can I mount '35 wheels on my 39 pickup using 41-42 drums? Are the wheels strong enough to carry the loads? This would look so good!

[jimTN]

You would have to change hubs and 40-8 hubs are supposed to have a ring adapter to space the wheel so that it makes solid contact with the hub. Without the rings, the lug nuts would not pull the wheels against the hubs.

[Tim Ayers]

They make spacer rings to accommodate this Without the spacer ring, the wheel hub does not make full contact with the hub which is not good.

In the old days, I think guy used piston rings stacked up to accomplish this.

[Mart]

Have you not heard of the unwritten rule? Never fit wheels from an earlier model. Later, yes, earlier, No.

[tubman]

Goody. That means I can put Pontiac 8-lugs on my '51! Or is "mixing breeds" also verboten?

[Tim Ayers]

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Originally Posted by Mart

Have you not heard of the unwritten rule? Never fit wheels from an earlier model. Later, yes, earlier, No.

Hmmm. It's been done 1,000's of times. Curious as to why not?

[RobR'35]

Each spoke on the wire wheels was advertised to withstand 4000 pounds per spoke. Something to consider.
The ring spacers you would need are around 3/16 thick.
They sell them at various places. I had mine made at a fab shop.

[Krylon32]

You can get the spacer/reinforcement rings from MT Products

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by RobR'35

Each spoke on the wire wheels was advertised to withstand 4000 pounds per spoke. Something to consider.
The ring spacers you would need are around 3/16 thick.
They sell them at various places. I had mine made at a fab shop.

Really? Wow. They are weak in torsional strength.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Mart

Have you not heard of the unwritten rule? Never fit wheels from an earlier model. Later, yes, earlier, No.

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Hmmm. It's been done 1,000's of times. Curious as to why not?

Tim....I could be full of "it" (as usual), but I'm gonna guess that what Mart is alluding to is the idea that MANY times when one fits early wheels to a later vehicle, the result ends-up looking "just wrong", if not downright goofy. Imagine what '35 wires would look like on a '40 Ford, or a '49 Merc. That would look both wrong AND friggen' goofy....MY opinion! Now, put the later '40 or '49 wheels on a '35 and the result is usually delightful. DD

[Tinker]

That's probably true, certainly with subjective opinion.

I also agree. I like wide 5s. Couldn't see them on a late 40s fat fender ford (maybe okay). A 50's car, not for me. But on a model A hotrod or a 32 hotrod. It works really well.

If Clem does it, it would be interesting to see the outcome.



.

[RobR'35]

I'm not completely sure on all the aspects or science of them. I just seen the advertisement and pictures from the day.
Ford, at shows would hang three ford cars hanging from one wire wheel. It was said they'd have hung more but didn't have the room. "Really, WOW!"

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Tim....I could be full of "it" (as usual), but I'm gonna guess that what Mart is alluding to is the idea that MANY times when one fits early wheels to a later vehicle, the result ends-up looking "just wrong", if not downright goofy. Imagine what '35 wires would look like on a '40 Ford, or a '49 Merc. That would look both wrong AND friggen' goofy....MY opinion! Now, put the later '40 or '49 wheels on a '35 and the result is usually delightful. DD

Got it. I also need to remember that I'm a hot rodder where it's common place to fit '35 wires or later Ford solids to early roadsters and such

Makes sense when you explain it that way.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by RobR'35

I'm not completely sure on all the aspects or science of them. I just seen the advertisement and pictures from the day.
Ford, at shows would hang three ford cars hanging from one wire wheel. It was said they'd have hung more but didn't have the room. "Really, WOW!"

Ah yes. I now remember that '34 World's Fair picture of cars hung from the ceiling from a wheel.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by jimTN

You would have to change hubs and 40-8 hubs are supposed to have a ring adapter to space the wheel so that it makes solid contact with the hub. Without the rings, the lug nuts would not pull the wheels against the hubs.

This post illustrates what you are saying. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...=1#post1286293

Charlie Stephens

[RalphM]

I would think wires on a 39 pick up would look pretty sharp.

I’m wanting to put 35 wires on my 35 but have run into a problem. I’m putting a 49 inch in the rear and upgrading to self energizing brakes in the front. I’m going to try to figure out a way to do it because I really like the look of the wires on the 35

[Randy in ca]

Here's a picture of the three cars being supported by a single spoked wheel:

[tubman]

Hoo Boy! Is that three Victorias?

[Mart]

Ok. A 35 wheel on a 35 drum is supported not only on the hub face but around the outer ring of the wheel center. I don't know the weight of a 35 truck, but my guess is that it is lighter than a 39. If you put 35 wheels on 40-48 hubs you need a spacer ring as shown. you will not have the support around the outer ring of the wheel center.
Most people running 35 wires on 40-48 hubs are doing it on lightweight roadsters and coupes that are pre 35. They get away without the outer ring support because the vehicles are light. I don't see this as a problem and do it myself on my 31A and my 33 coupe.

Compared to a 32 roadster or typical early ford rod with juice brake conversion a 39 pickup is relatively heavier. You fit hubs, adaptor rings and wires. The wires came from a vehicle lighter than the 39 pickup, and are not as well supported as on their original intended fitment.

Another unwanted by-product is that a wire wheel on an adaptor on a 40 type hub is offset outboard compared to a wire wheel on a wire wheel hub.

So in your intended application, you would have a wheel from a lighter application, mounted incorrectly and offset more than the correct 39 wheels.

And to many eyes they also won't look right.

For the above reasons I would opine that it is not a great idea.

Mart.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by Randy in ca

Here's a picture of the three cars being supported by a single spoked wheel:

That's really impressive. Great shot. Advertising at the best.