F250 vs F350 Wheel Compatibility

[thefordguy]

Hi, I found my 1972 F350 (8 lug) front tire flat today. I have a spare tire for my 1969 F250 (8 lug). I'd like to mount the 69 spare tire/wheel today so I can get my 72 F350 so I can properly fix the its front tire. It looks like the bolt pattern is the same, but the wheel looks much different. The F350 bulges out a lot vs the F250 one. Will I be able to do this? I appreciate any assistance.

[Calfdemon]

The front wheel of your F350 bulges out to clear the front rotors. You must have a dual wheel F350 and the front rotors for those come way out to line up with the rear wheels. I am not sure you will be able to use the wheel from the F250 because of this, but I could be wrong.

[forrestbump]

Calfdemon is correct. F250 wheels will NOT fit the 'hat' extensions found on F350 DRW truck front hubs, same lug pattern as an F250, different wheel construction.. You'll notice that your F350 DRW wheels are reverse dished in the front. They're made that way so you can mount them front or rear on a DRW application.

[thefordguy]

thanks guys. Just to confirm, I can't even mount it in order to drive 2 miles to my house? dang.

[forrestbump]

...well if you're ONLY driving about two miles, make it side streets, after hours, Sunday night and you should be OK. Stop a lot and check the lug nuts for tightness.

...no drag racing, wheel stands or burn outs with those wheels on the front...

[Mancar1]

...well if you're ONLY driving about two miles, make it side streets, after hours, Sunday night and you should be OK. Stop a lot and check the lug nuts for tightness.

...no drag racing, wheel stands or burn outs with those wheels on the front...

[thefordguy]

thanks. One last question. I know the split rims are very dangerous to work with. The tire/wheel I will be removing from the f350 is very flat, couldn't have hardly air in it at all. If so, is it still dangerous for me to remove it from the car? I'm worried about the ring breaking loose and hitting me.

[forrestbump]

You're concerns are well founded. If I understand you correctly the tire is flat? If so, no worries, course there are no worries if the tire held air too! Where split rims are MOST dangerous is when mounting a tire and tube. Let a qualified tire shop, that still works on split rims, do the work for you. Yep, I've got horror stories about split rims if you want to hear them...

[thefordguy]

thanks Larry. I don't need any horror stories though. I park the rig on a city street and I hate to do work on public streets. So, I was hoping I could put the F250 tire/wheel and limp it home. I read something on the internet about the rings busting loose if the tire pressure loses just 20% air. I'll be getting replacement front wheels that are not split rim.

[Bumpside Collector]

I'll be getting replacement front wheels that are not split rim.

It might be hard to find the correct one piece wheels as replacements. You have to look for the wheels with the beveled lug faces and not the flat faces. The flat faces will work but the will cause some vibration because the wheels won't be centered up right.
Here are a couple of good discussions on the subject.

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... ms#p380150
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... heels+rims

[thefordguy]

thanks guys! you guys are great.

[forrestbump]

I completely agree with you and Bumpside Collector regarding using one piece wheels ultimately if you can find them, it's challenging but NOT impossible. I ran split wheels on my 1965 F250 I owned many years ago with no issues. It IS getting more difficult to find tire shops willing or able to work on split rims though.

Until you can find a good set of single piece wheels, run your split rims...just DON'T try taking them apart or mounting them yourself. It IS OK and safe to remove the wheels and tires, as an assembly, off your truck though...just DON'T try taking them apart.