The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun I just drug home a 54 3800 and I need some advice.

I have a 54 3800 It is a duel rear wheel truck, that being said I would prefer a single wheel set up. I have a set of 16" wheels off or a 3/4 ton ram I believe are the same lug pattern. I guess my question will 16 inch wheels fit over the drum? also is a single wheel conversion just as simple as removing the front wheel spacers and bolting on proper wheels?

16" wheels off a Ford dually would not fit over the rear drums on my 1959 3800 with 16" brake drums. The OEM wheels were 18" tube type. A single wheel setup might work, depending on how far the inner bead ring is from the lug bolt flange. No go on the front- - -the extension piece also contains the outer wheel bearing and race, so it can't just be unbolted. You would need to find front hubs for a 4-wheel 3800 instead of a dually.
Jerry

so would picking up a set of drums for a regular ol 3800 work than? I found some on jc whitneys webpage and it did not specify if they were for single or duel wheel trucks.

David, not for sure if the Dodge Wheels will do you any good. Most Dodge wheels have a deeper offset, you'll probably have clearance issues with the tie rod. Ford E250/F250 (pre-97) are a good fit.

I had a 54 3800 parts truck, if I remember correctly it had 17" wheels and 15" drums on the rear. Can't really say if late model 16's will work.

On A side note. I have some front hubs and misc. brake components from a 3600 series truck, if you're wanting a single wheel rig.

I live north of Peoria. I may be able to help a brother out.

Drop me a PM.

Chris

Front hubs should be same for 3600 and 3800 single wheel.
Wheel bearing size change during the AD years, this makes a difference in spindles, not sure if hubs changed too.

I did a fair amount of research in the parts book and the only difference in AD 1 ton rear axle, brakes, and hubs for single and dual wheel trucks is the stud length, that's it. No problem bolting single wheels on your rear axle that had duals.

No idea about Dodge wheels, just try them and see.

I purchased a set of crager 16 inch Soft 8 model rims in the 8x6.5 bolt pattern for my 49 gm 1 ton. Not sure I like the look but yes they fit over the 14 inch drums just fine. These work on the rears only. No good on front due to offset

There's an 8 lug 16" trailer wheel that will probably bolt on, and possibly clear everything. Most of the trailer tire/wheel sales websites give good specifications about wheel offset, etc. I believe my 3800 did have 15" brake drums, not 16, but a 16" drop center wheel wouldn't clear the drum OD.
Jerry

Chris that would be great to get some parts off you, unfortunately i cant send you a pm just yet cause im a new guy. But on a side note ive been looking for a excuse to go to basspro shop so we could certainly make something work.

I believe the front hubs are the same for all years, the difference is in the spindle. The 52-59 trucks use the same wheel bearing and spindle. Earlier hubs can be used on later trucks with the correct bearing.

I'm out of town for a couple weeks, so keep checking back.

I will add something here to this discussion. I use 16" rims on my 51 1 Ton and they fit over the drums etc. The space between the rear drum and the wheel is fairly small. I don't carry loads with my truck so this works out fine for me. If I had it loaded to the max or over and did some driving down steep hills, I am not sure there would be adequate cooling for the rear drums.

Do they make a tapered bearing or any newer style replacement bearing that would fit the spindles and be better (and maybe cheaper) than the ball bearings they used back in the day?

Do they make it? Possibly. Is it cheaper? No. I have a local bearing shop. I usually just give ID and OD and ask about what we can find

Some of the restoration suppliers did offer a Chinese roller bearing kit, but last time I looked they had stopped offering them.

The ball bearings lasted for years...but your truck may have been worst on them than others. That said I'd give NAPA a try and if no success then go to a tractor trailer shop and ask to see the service man and find out who supplies them.

....if, and that is a big IF, you can get someone that knows a lot, or works, at a Timken Roller bearing place/supplier you may get lucky. I did that a few years ago with an odd bearing.

I’ve looked, there never were Timken tapered roller bearings for the AD 1 ton front axles.
The roller bearings that were available were special, made more or less to order for the restoration parts supplier, they did not carry a normal part number, we’re not available anywhere else.

The ball type bearings have served me well so far in my 1 tons. Just read the manual on adjusting them, not quite the same as you may be accustomed to for tapered roller bearings.