48-50 F3 Widowmaker Replacement

[jboren]

Those of us with the 48-50 F3's know it is a bit of a pain to try to retain the original Timken 4.86 rear with the 14" drums. Normally modern 16" wheels will not clear the 14" drums. I found 8X6.5 1 1/2" offset adapters on evilbay for about $65 for the pair. After installing them I think a 1" would have also worked. Unless you are just looking for it you really don't notice it and it lets me safely drive the truck. I also replaced the original standard 1/2-20 lug nuts with "bulge" 1/2-20 bulge lugs all the way around. They fit the modern wheels designed for 9/16-18 lugs. The adapters come with 9/16-18 studs and lugs. These do a much better job of centering the wheels since the wheels are lug centric vs the 1/2-20 original lugs which were really too small for the modern wheels.

[truckdog62563]

Good information. It's a straight forward way to use any modern 16" F-250 wheels. Question though. What am I seeing in your pic holding the adapter to the stock studs and hub/drum? Stu

[jboren]

I'n not sure exactly what you are asking. The adapter is bolted down to the drum via the original studs with the new 1/2-20 bulge lugs. It looks somewhat like they are barely holding but the bulge lugs are fairly deep and there is lots of threads holding. They are torqued down properly. I am using the same 1/2-20 bulge lugs on the front wheels.

jb

[truckdog62563]

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Okay, not something I recognize seeing. Thx. Stu