19" or 21" wire wheels on 1925 T

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: 19" or 21" wire wheels on 1925 T
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bryan C on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 03:20 pm:

Hey, I've seen a lot of threads similar to my questions but I couldn't find the exact answer. So any help would be appreciated.
I have a 1925 T (26 body but I don't think that matters here). I really want to go with wire wheels because they seem to be cheaper and it would seem to me that they are safer. My goal is a very roadworthy car.
I was able to pick up some 19" wire wheels from the later Model A.
I called Lang's about their adapters because they list them to go from my wooden wheel hubs to the 21" Model A wheel but they said they didn't think it would work with the 19". The guy didn't seem sure so that's my question.
Are the 19" and 21" Model A wire wheels the same as far as the bolt pattern, hub and anything else associated with mounting them goes?
And just a sub question I suppose, is the 19" rim going to look funny being much smaller?
If they are interchangeable then I'd love to mount them and work on my break setup and then later on change them out to the larger 21" wheel.
Thanks again for the help.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Phillips on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 04:50 pm:

I am pretty sure Model A chaps change 21" for 19" all the time so I would imagine they have the same stud pattern. The 19" is a far superior wheel and doesn't rust out in the bead like the 21".


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James Lang on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 05:17 pm:

I was mistaken on when I answered your question today the bolt pattern is the same and they will work for both wheel sizes.

Sorry Jim Lang


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 07:54 pm:

The 19 inch will should have about the same outside diameter as the 21 but will have more rubber on the pavement. While driving this should not be much of a problem but standing still might take a lot of torque just to turn the wheels. At 32 to 35 pounds inflation there will be an area of about 4 X 6-8 inches on the road. If you have the wheels and tires, go for it and give it a try.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 09:31 pm:

The Model A bolt pattern will work for any of the Ford wires (21,19,18,17,or 16), but, they may look a little strange. I have a set of 18 inch knobbies on one of my speedsters. The 21's are passable and many will not know they are not T, the others have bigger hub caps that bring attention to them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Allan Richard Bennett on Friday, July 11, 2014 - 12:16 am:

Bryan, I would stick with 21" T wire wheels. They are more expensive when comparing them to later A wheels, until you factor in the cost of the adaptors for A wheels.

Any wider wheel will add significant load to the T steering, especially at low speeds. Besides, 19" A wheels will make your T look like a hot rod!!!

Just my feelings,

Allan from down under.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Todd on Friday, July 11, 2014 - 11:23 am:

FWIW, Ford used the same "Model A" bolt patterns on their 1/2 ton pickups until at least 1980, probably longer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bryan C on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 - 09:30 am:

Thanks for all the help.
Either way I'll need some type of adapter since I have wooden wheels now.
Allan, I was also thinking that the 19" would look a little funny. I've already got the 19" on the way now (I had ordered them before even asking anything). So, I'll use those to mock up the adapters and new break set up and then start looking for some 21".
One last question, if I understand correctly, the T 21" wire wheel is a different bolt pattern then the A 21" wire wheel. So I need to at least decide on that asap.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 - 11:42 am:

Yes the T is 5 on 5" the A is 5 on 5 1/2".


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