1948 B-1-FS-152 Wheels

[RKL]

Everything about my request is unique.  I am trying to buy a fairly rare 1948 Dodge "shorty" school bus.  The biggest problem I have is that it is missing 2 of the dually wheels.  I have been searching for weeks now and cannot find the 6.5 x 20 steel wheel anywhere.  I suppose I could have it made new, but was wondering if you all have any ideas that would help in my search.  It is going to be a restored "static" display at a schoolhouse museum so when I install it as the "inside" dually, it "somewhat" does not matter what it looks like or even that it is road worthy.  Just hold the tire on the inside for looks.  Thanks... Richard  

[bkahler]

The only suggestion I have is to give this place a call.  Back when I first started restoring my B3B I got a lot of parts from them.  It helped that they were only an hour away from me at the time and I spent hours scavenging parts

 

They don't like to ship, but there are alternatives if you're creative enough.

 

Watts Auto Salvage

Wymore Nebraska

(402) 645-8066

 

https://www.theoldcarguys.com/salvage-yards/listings/watts-salvage/

 

Good luck in your search.

Edited January 3 by bkahler

[JBNeal]

Check out the wall display at a good tire store...there may be an idea there that can be fabricated out of some scrap metal to make a tire hanger, cheaper than a rim and looks OK from 10 feet away

[Brent B3B]

the parts book to me make it look like the “F” is the same as a “FS”

 

 

Edited January 5 by Brent B3B
My opinion removed

[Robert Harrison]

I think you are talking about Budd wheels.  These are split ring type wheels used by many manufactures during the 40's and 50's.  But I would stay with Dodge while searching.  As well as some military trucks.  Recently I have been looking for fenders for my 47 Dodge pickup and have been looking at Youtube.  I watched a bunch of these vids hoping to find what I was looking for.  The big trucks 1.5 tons and 3 tons were pretty common.  If you find some the ideal ones still have air in the tires as the flat ones have a tendency to fill with water trap the moisture and rust badly inside.

Quality Auto in Austin Tx had a 39-47 truck in picks they sent me.  I used an online search engine to find them originally and that turned out to be compromised as later I had some guy who wanted me to send money w/0 sending detailed photos of the product dont fall for that kind of thing insist on detailed photos up front.  Call them directly.   

Taylor in Aliance Nebraska had a School bus I noticed

Maybe Dolloff in S. Dakota

Rudys classic Autos in Nebraska

French Creek or lake Auto parts in Minnesota

Desert Valley in Casa Grande Arizona

L&L in Wendal Idaho

Brians north of San Francisco  He wont ship but maybe you can get someone in the group to help you

 

 I am most familiar with the wheels from 39-47 some pilot era trucks but I think they were mostly one tons had a different type of slotted wheel likely 16 inch as did the 39-47's  So I suggest you contact these people and send them pictures of what you have.  The 1.5 ton (called WF type) trucks from this era had 5 and 7 inch rims.  Which should be roughly equivalent to what you have.  Perhaps you are looking for a 6.5 when it is actually a 7?   As the rim size gets wider the same size tire gets shorter visa versa if you put a 5 inch rim on the tire gets squished and gets taller so you might be looking for a 7 inch rim.  If push comes to shove I have one I am pretty sure is a 7 inch that is surplus to me it has been blasted nice wheel over all will have to look for a lock ring and I am not certain it is actually a Dodge wheel but it came off of a Dodge 2 ton. 

Bob Harrison