May I have advice on new wheels and tires for #50?

[robroy]

Thanks so much for replying Robert!

I know this is a fairly common swap, But I don't know how common the front disc are...

Yeah, 'good point.

I'd personally not be too comfortable with that clearance, you'll have some movement in the wheel bearings and perhaps some flex in the wheel itself while turning.

Thanks Robert.

While poking around I had the feeling that I should probably try to measure the clearance for-real, since it's hard to show such a thing in photos clearly.

The piece of wire that I managed to run around the wheel's inner circumference (through the tight clearance spots) was about 3/16" thick. It kind of had to pass through at an angle around the tightest spots, but it did pass through. Maybe this still isn't enough though.

If it is still up in the air and bolted on try putting some force against it by hand and see whats up...

I wish I'd thought of this. I actually put the normal wheels back on and buttoned the whole thing up yesterday afternoon. But I'll do whatever it takes to get it right, including another trial fit; the trouble is, I think I could exert only 0.05% of the force that the wheel will be under during normal operation.

Thanks very much Robert!

[Ranchero50]

Wow, I was sure they wouldn't fit... Wonder if it's just the dually pattern that changed or if yours are off something 'special' built that spec'd that pattern.

In other news while changing the oil on mine I found a big dog knot on the inside of my passenger front tire. Really makes me think I should figure out something for a spare and some way to change it.

[robroy]

Thanks for replying Jamie.

Wow, I was sure they wouldn't fit... Wonder if it's just the dually pattern that changed or if yours are off something 'special' built that spec'd that pattern.

Yeah, I dunno. This yard appears to have a vast outdoor yard behind the building where customers go, with car-sized shelves going up twenty or thirty feet in the air. I got the idea that they pull everything themselves, no doubt to dodge squashed customer lawsuits. I could try asking about what vehicles the wheels came from the next time I go there, though I don't know which person pulled them, and there are about six people scrambling around there.

In other news while changing the oil on mine I found a big dog knot on the inside of my passenger front tire. Really makes me think I should figure out something for a spare and some way to change it.

Yeah, 'seems like a nice idea, especially if you're already doing something with the wheels. Though I've never actually used a spare tire in my life, I figured I'd prepare a set of five while I'm at it. I don't even think #50 has the spare tire mounting hardware under it any more.

Today's Update

I'm a bit stuck on the caliper clearance issue; I haven't decided whether to go ahead as-is and risk it, or try to find larger wheels.

I asked Wheel Vintiques this morning, and heard that:

• They recommend a 1/4" clearance between the caliper and the wheel, but
• It's okay to have less clearance than that; it'll work even if it's almost flush, as long as it clears.

I'm not sure what I can glean from this advice, which amounts to "you'll need 1/4", but not really."

Thanks again for replying Jamie!

[Ranchero50]

I think their comment says we sell wheels but we don't have something that will offer the same clearance. On my dually there's maybe 3/16" of an inch clearance. I have the largest calipers on the F350 and 16" dually wheels so IDK. My front wheels are coined Ford rims (back are Dodge rims) so I guess that clearance is factory OK for a 10k truck.

I did buy new tires for the front today. Got a pair of Starfire SF-510 LT's in 265/75R16's. I'm running 235/85's in the rear (same height). The fronts have 8" of tread, are 31" tall and give the truck a business look. They ride at least as good as the Firestones that were on it. The shop sells a bunch of them to contractors who like that they wear really well on overloaded work trucks and vans running down to DC every day.

No pics at the camera battery refuses to charge.

[DuckRyder]

...

I'm not sure what I can glean from this advice, which amounts to "you'll need 1/4", but not really."

Or "It will work, unless it won't work"

If Jamie has 3/16 and it works then yours should as well...

[003Ryder]

Hey RobRoy, I finaly found some rims on an online selling site two where practically brand new and two other where "ok" I picked up these four rims/tires for 115.00$ in cash, I wish I could upload some pics but I have no idea how too. They have about the same space outside the calipers as the old ones. Anyway, thank you so much for all your help through this post and some Pm's you saved me some major $$$$ in this situation, can't thank you enough.

003Ryder.

[robroy]

Jamie, Robert and 003Ryder, thanks so much for replying.

I think their comment says we sell wheels but we don't have something that will offer the same clearance.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

On my dually there's maybe 3/16" of an inch clearance.

Thanks for this.

I have the largest calipers on the F350 and 16" dually wheels so IDK. My front wheels are coined Ford rims (back are Dodge rims) so I guess that clearance is factory OK for a 10k truck.

All right, thank you; this is really helpful to know.

I did buy new tires for the front today. Got a pair of Starfire SF-510 LT's in 265/75R16's. I'm running 235/85's in the rear (same height). The fronts have 8" of tread, are 31" tall and give the truck a business look. They ride at least as good as the Firestones that were on it. The shop sells a bunch of them to contractors who like that they wear really well on overloaded work trucks and vans running down to DC every day.

No pics at the camera battery refuses to charge.

Hmmm, I'd be curious to see a photo, when you have a camera again.

...I'm not sure what I can glean from this advice, which amounts to "you'll need 1/4", but not really."

Or "It will work, unless it won't work"

Haha yeah.

If Jamie has 3/16 and it works then yours should as well...

Thanks. Yeah, the piece of wire I ran around inside there was about 3/16", so there could actually be slightly more clearance than that. I guess I'll go ahead with these wheels.

Hey RobRoy, I finaly found some rims on an online selling site two where practically brand new and two other where "ok" I picked up these four rims/tires for 115.00$ in cash, I wish I could upload some pics but I have no idea how too.

Hey, that's great! Congratulations. And you're welcome, though as always, the credit belongs to my generous FORDification mentors and not myself.

They have about the same space outside the calipers as the old ones.

Ah... interesting.

Anyway, thank you so much for all your help through this post and some Pm's you saved me some major $$$$ in this situation, can't thank you enough.

You're welcome Friend.

Today's Update

I received some additional advice from Rich (1972hiboy)--thank you Rich--on the two wheel types in a PM, and I've decided to take the time to make them all match. Even if I don't mount dog-dishes on them right away, having two different wheel types on there would probably be depressing later on.

So I've been in touch San Benito Auto Wreckers again, and they're going to find two wheels with the dog-dish retention humps for me, and swap out the two questionable ones. They're being really nice and easy going about it. Jamie, thanks again for the tip about wrecking yard conventions.

At least for the sake of good documentation, I'll try to get a more precise caliper clearance measurement of the factory wheels, and these new ones.

Jamie, Robert and 003Ryder, thank you again for your excellent replies.

[Ranchero50]

Some updated pics with the new sneakers. Front and rear are the same height, just the rear is thinner so the dually's don't rub.