wheels for a '52 one ton

[alanhaley]

Im looking for inspiration. My daughter and I are within shooting distance of getting a 52 one ton, a two year project, on the road. We have put off solving the wheel problem as long as possible but have to do something soon. This was never Dodge country (mid-Maine) and I cannot find any wheels that fit. It takes a 6 lug, 7.25 inch rim. The truck came with an odd assortment that were not very usable and took a 17.5 inch tire. Some nice people in the Dakotas had some rims that took a 16 inch tire but I dont know how to get them here without a huge shipping bill.

Some ideas -

The local junk guy said that I could buy adapters that bolt to the original wheel but have a different stud pattern. Has anyone ever heard of this? Where would I go to buy them.

Would it be possible to take another rim, weld the stud holes shut and have a machine shop redrill the rim to a 6 bolt pattern?

Divorce the wife, mortgage the house, and spend whatever it takes to get wheels for this beauty.

Anyone got better ideas?

[Guest Kuster13]

I think it was Stockton Wheel that sells dually budd style wheels for these trucks. Other options are mid '50s F*rd trucks used same pattern and they were 17.5's. Wheel adapters can be made but the two bolt patterns can't overlap.

Tom

[4852dodge]

Wheels from Ford and International 6 lug also fit. Are they single rear or duals? 16 inch rims and tires should be easier to find and they were more common in the day.

[bach4660]

is that rim in your scrap pile?

[MBF]

Alan: I think we've got something in common! I've been looking for a set of drop center 16" 6 hole Budds (with offset to run duals) so that I can use radials. Not having a lot of luck. I was offered a set of 17's but that's a hard tire to find today. I'm also finding out that there were 3 different offsets (that I know of-I have all 3 styles) and only 2 will allow you to run duals, and only 1 with a tire larger that a 7:50 x 16! If you have an ATCA or ATHS member directory-see if you can find a number for Stanley Young-he's north of you in Cardville and deals with a lot of Dodge and other stuff-and he is a pizzer! I'm still looking, but like the guys said, Ford and IH used the same wheels during the late 50's and early 60's on their 1 tons. I'll keep you in mind as I continue searching, and if I find something I'll let you know. Mike

[alanhaley]

Alan: I think we've got something in common! I've been looking for a set of drop center 16" 6 hole Budds (with offset to run duals) so that I can use radials. Not having a lot of luck. I was offered a set of 17's but that's a hard tire to find today. I'm also finding out that there were 3 different offsets (that I know of-I have all 3 styles) and only 2 will allow you to run duals, and only 1 with a tire larger that a 7:50 x 16! If you have an ATCA or ATHS member directory-see if you can find a number for Stanley Young-he's north of you in Cardville and deals with a lot of Dodge and other stuff-and he is a pizzer! I'm still looking, but like the guys said, Ford and IH used the same wheels during the late 50's and early 60's on their 1 tons. I'll keep you in mind as I continue searching, and if I find something I'll let you know. Mike

Thanks for the reply. I called up Stanley and talked with him for a while. Your right, he's a heck of a source. He's got 35 trucks and would like to get rid of some of them, a man only needs 20 or so. I'm going to drive up to Greenbush to see him just to look his collection over. Unfortunately, he does not have a 6 lug tire that will fit. He seems to concentrate mostly on dodge trucks. His number is 207 827 8691. Hes got a 2 ton dodge for sale that sounds like a great deal.

Let me know if you come across anything.

Alan Haley

[alanhaley]

Wheels from Ford and International 6 lug also fit. Are they single rear or duals? 16 inch rims and tires should be easier to find and they were more common in the day.

Thanks for the info, I can include ford and international in the search now. I am after 16 inch rims and at this point, dont care if I have to set it up as duals or single.

[MBF]

That 2 ton that Stan has was a firetruck from about 20 minutes from here. He bought it drug it to Maine and put a flatbed on it. Less than 10K original miles-twin carbs. Nice truck. He's also got a 51-52 1/2 ton. He drags both of these to truck shows on a flatbead towed by an IH KB12 powered by a Mack motor. He's a character to talk with-I always try to hook up with him. Saw him 3 times this year and he's always got a new story to tell. Good luck. Mike

[wallytoo]

alan,

i was passing through southern maine yesterday on rte 202. just west of buxton, i think in hollis, there was a dodge dump for sale (48-50 vintage). i didn't stop to see whether it was a 1-ton or a larger truck like mine, and i couldn't tell as i went by at 55. wish i'd known you were looking, i could have stopped and at least gotten some information.

wally