The Ford Barn

Olewrecker · 07-11-2014, 07:19 PM

Hello I am new to this forum and I hope I am posting in the right area, I recently purchased a 1931 model AA wrecker and it is in need of some wheels and tires. The tires are not an issue to find but the wheels are. My question is there any where to purchase wheels that are not split rims that look like orignals if not where can you purchase some new ones. Any help would be appreciated.

NORTHEASTVIC · 07-11-2014, 07:45 PM

Old originals getting scarcer each year. Unfortunately we never see a reproduction wheel for these trucks. We have had many of our customers ask as you have, Good luck, they will show up.
PV Antique & Classic Ford, Inc.

Roadster62 · 07-11-2014, 07:47 PM

They were Lock Ring wheels not Split Rims. Bob

Bob C · 07-11-2014, 07:58 PM

The bolt pattern is 5 on 6 7/8". I don't think there are any new wheels that will fit.
Some Dodge WW2 army truck used that bolt pattern and I've also heard that some
of the older Dodge motor home chassis used them. 1930 thru early 34 rims will work.
You might try over on the AA web site http://forums.aa-fords.com/index.php

Bob

JTW · 07-11-2014, 08:10 PM

Real good original rims are very hard to find. The snap ring and corresponding grove in the rim are rusted beyond safe in most. You might want to investigate taking some originals and
un-rivet the hub and re-install them on some newer rims. Just a thought that has come to mind before. Check the center hole dia. on AA hubs compared to the later BB hubs, I think it is different.

Reds34 · 07-11-2014, 08:55 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Are the rims on the truck no good? You can still find rims, you just have to look. I think I may have some '31 I could sell, but shipping would be expensive.

Red

SeaSlugs · 07-12-2014, 12:28 AM

Yea they are HEAVY and would cost more to ship than the rim can be bought for usually. yea alot are rusted out but i run across good ones once in awhile.

I have not found any modern rims that fit. Theres nothing wrong with split rims/lockrings. Just take them to a company that knows what thier doing during the installation and has a tirecage to inflate them in incase the ring slips off. Doesnt cost much and safest for everyone.

ctlikon0712 · 07-12-2014, 01:46 AM

Welcome to the Barn, Post a larger pic of your AA, it looks like a nice one!

PO51 · 07-12-2014, 10:36 AM

You might try Bert's in Denver, they have lots of used parts, don' t know how much AA stuff they have.

Olewrecker · 07-13-2014, 04:26 PM

Thanks for all the info, the ones on the wrecker don't look to bad it has been in storage for 40 years and only has 47000 orignal miles on it. I was asking about the wheels because of all the horror stories you hear about them and most places won't even touch them. any ideas on places that might put new tires on them after I clean them up? This is a great site for help. I will get more pictures soon.

ctvpa · 07-13-2014, 10:03 PM

There is a Model AA club that is very helpful http://fmaatc.org/ & http://aafords.com/
They are not hard to change the tires. They have a lot of information on the site, and very worth joining.
Great Truck

SeaSlugs · 07-14-2014, 12:46 AM

alot of semi truck tire places have the proper equipment to do so.

07-11-2014, 07:19 PM	#1
Olewrecker Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Westpoint, Utah Posts: 2	Model AA wheels Hello I am new to this forum and I hope I am posting in the right area, I recently purchased a 1931 model AA wrecker and it is in need of some wheels and tires. The tires are not an issue to find but the wheels are. My question is there any where to purchase wheels that are not split rims that look like orignals if not where can you purchase some new ones. Any help would be appreciated.

07-11-2014, 07:45 PM	#2
NORTHEASTVIC Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tewksbury MA Posts: 13	Re: Model AA wheels Old originals getting scarcer each year. Unfortunately we never see a reproduction wheel for these trucks. We have had many of our customers ask as you have, Good luck, they will show up. PV Antique & Classic Ford, Inc.

07-11-2014, 07:47 PM	#3
Roadster62 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ridgefield, Ct Posts: 3,441	Re: Model AA wheels They were Lock Ring wheels not Split Rims. Bob __________________ They don't have to run to be enjoyed. I'm here to enjoy the hobby, and enjoy the cars no matter what they look like. Most of the worlds problems are electrical.

07-11-2014, 07:58 PM	#4
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,741	Re: Model AA wheels The bolt pattern is 5 on 6 7/8". I don't think there are any new wheels that will fit. Some Dodge WW2 army truck used that bolt pattern and I've also heard that some of the older Dodge motor home chassis used them. 1930 thru early 34 rims will work. You might try over on the AA web site http://forums.aa-fords.com/index.php Bob

07-11-2014, 08:10 PM	#5
JTW Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Owls Head Posts: 257	Re: Model AA wheels Real good original rims are very hard to find. The snap ring and corresponding grove in the rim are rusted beyond safe in most. You might want to investigate taking some originals and un-rivet the hub and re-install them on some newer rims. Just a thought that has come to mind before. Check the center hole dia. on AA hubs compared to the later BB hubs, I think it is different. __________________ Driving old Fords since 1947 Last edited by JTW; 07-11-2014 at 08:15 PM. Reason: Added a thought.

07-11-2014, 08:55 PM	#6
Reds34 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Eastern, CT Posts: 527	Re: Model AA wheels Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Are the rims on the truck no good? You can still find rims, you just have to look. I think I may have some '31 I could sell, but shipping would be expensive. Red

07-12-2014, 12:28 AM	#7
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Model AA wheels Yea they are HEAVY and would cost more to ship than the rim can be bought for usually. yea alot are rusted out but i run across good ones once in awhile. I have not found any modern rims that fit. Theres nothing wrong with split rims/lockrings. Just take them to a company that knows what thier doing during the installation and has a tirecage to inflate them in incase the ring slips off. Doesnt cost much and safest for everyone. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

07-12-2014, 01:46 AM	#8
ctlikon0712 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,609	Re: Model AA wheels Welcome to the Barn, Post a larger pic of your AA, it looks like a nice one! __________________ Wanted: Simmons Super Power Head Craig Likon 1931 150B

07-12-2014, 10:36 AM	#9
PO51 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 274	Re: Model AA wheels You might try Bert's in Denver, they have lots of used parts, don' t know how much AA stuff they have.

07-13-2014, 04:26 PM	#10
Olewrecker Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Westpoint, Utah Posts: 2	Re: Model AA wheels Thanks for all the info, the ones on the wrecker don't look to bad it has been in storage for 40 years and only has 47000 orignal miles on it. I was asking about the wheels because of all the horror stories you hear about them and most places won't even touch them. any ideas on places that might put new tires on them after I clean them up? This is a great site for help. I will get more pictures soon.

07-13-2014, 10:03 PM	#11
ctvpa Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 479	Re: Model AA wheels There is a Model AA club that is very helpful http://fmaatc.org/ & http://aafords.com/ They are not hard to change the tires. They have a lot of information on the site, and very worth joining. Great Truck

07-14-2014, 12:46 AM	#12
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Model AA wheels alot of semi truck tire places have the proper equipment to do so. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!