MTFCA Forum

For various reasons, I need to purchase two new 21" demountable rims. I can live with two originals and one for a spare, but need two brand new reproductions. This is for my WWI ambulance project, so no daily driver or comfort wagon.
I'm leaning towards putting the new rims on the front to eliminate any steering wobble, but don't know if having them on the rear would make more snese.
If you had to run on two new and two originals, where would you put the new rims, front or rear?

Front for the reasons mentioned.

FWIW - wouldn't a WWI ambulance have non-demountable 30 x 3.5 in the rear, maybe 30 x 3 on the front? Demountable wheels didn't become available until some time in 1919.

Here's a picture of an Ambulance of the AFS, it has a brass radiator so is a '15 or '16 model chassis and has aftermarket demountables, the five lug demountable wheels were made by Firestone i believe.

Thanks for the verification of putting two new rims on the front. For several reasons, I am starting with a 26/27 rolling chassis, so it will be a 1917 Ford Model T ambulance body on a 26/27 rolling chassis. It had wire wheels on it originally and I traded for the demountables. So, a ambulance salad, but budget did not allow for starting over correctly. The rolling chassis is what I had in the shop and I knew the engine ran. Here is where I am on the mock up so far. Obtained original Ford working drawings from the Henry Ford Museum.

I would put the two new rims on one side of the car and the old rims on the other. The new and old rims may be a very close match, but they won't be exact. New on one side and old on the other will be less noticeable.

I agree with John. A new and old on one side will stand out and have an odd look.

Other options might be to sand the old ones and finish all to look alike. OR, distress the new ones to look like the old ones.

Good Luck on your project!

Well, they're demountable so, if you don't like them located where they are, you can have them remounted in 15 minutes.

Good point, I am painting the old rims with a metallic steel type finish, so I can paint the new rims the same color and should be very hard to tell a difference. But, like stated, if there is a difference, I can mount same type on left and right and mount the old ones on the passenger side so that the mounted spare rim would match those two. And, two new rims on the drivers side.

Presuming the vendors supply the same quality and design of rim. Probably come from the same supplier? Noticed prices are very similar from vendor to vendor. Shipping will be on my radar. Perhaps a vendor will offer free shipping for this $700 purchase or so.

Should be quite a head-turner when you're done. Have fun!

Contact Steve Hood of Vintage Wheels Australia. I have bought 2 sets of 21" wheels and 1 set of clinchers from him.

WAKE UP CALL! It never occurred to me that I couldn't find two new reproduction split rims for this project. Guess I was wrong, can't find a vendor in the US. The only one is in New Zealand and it looks like over a grand to get four shipped to the US.
Ouch, wasn't perpared for that.
I guess I can get used originals, but fingers crossed that they are better than the two I egg shapped with my universal tol spreader. I may try beating them with the attitude adjuster tool to see if I can salvage them. Both will need latch work, but those parts are available from Langs.
Who'd thunk?

signsup wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 18, 2024 2:31 pm

WAKE UP CALL! It never occurred to me that I couldn't find two new reproduction split rims for this project. Guess I was wrong, can't find a vendor in the US. The only one is in New Zealand and it looks like over a grand to get four shipped to the US.
Ouch, wasn't perpared for that.
I guess I can get used originals, but fingers crossed that they are better than the two I egg shapped with my universal tol spreader. I may try beating them with the attitude adjuster tool to see if I can salvage them. Both will need latch work, but those parts are available from Langs.
Who'd thunk?

Dont beat them.
Use a press or find someone with a press.
I have straightened a couple that were pretzeled by a tire shop.

speedytinc wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 18, 2024 3:37 pm

signsup wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 18, 2024 2:31 pm

WAKE UP CALL! It never occurred to me that I couldn't find two new reproduction split rims for this project. Guess I was wrong, can't find a vendor in the US. The only one is in New Zealand and it looks like over a grand to get four shipped to the US.
Ouch, wasn't perpared for that.
I guess I can get used originals, but fingers crossed that they are better than the two I egg shapped with my universal tol spreader. I may try beating them with the attitude adjuster tool to see if I can salvage them. Both will need latch work, but those parts are available from Langs.
Who'd thunk?

Dont beat them.
Use a press or find someone with a press.
I have straightened a couple that were pretzeled by a tire shop.

That's right. Careful bending, pressing, etc. will get it done. Also, lots of patience. They didn't get wanged out of shape by beating on them, so they don't need a beating to get them back.

Well, I've got an 8 ton hydralic press as well as a phnumatic tube bender that I can play with some blocking and jigs and dollys and press them back into shape and instal the replacement latch and thumbscrew set up.
Got nothing to loose, they are C clip shaped now.

At least contact Steve Hood in Australia. The US$ value is in your favour to lower the price. shipping directly to you mat save even more. You have nothing to lose by asking.

Allan from down under.