Where would you put two new rims?
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Topic author - Posts: 472
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:56 pm
- First Name: Robert
- Last Name: Brough
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 War Wagon 1927 Depot Hack 1927 TT
- Location: Winston, GA
- Board Member Since: 2015
Where would you put two new rims?
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?
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?
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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.
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.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
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1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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.
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer ! 
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver

Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
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Topic author - Posts: 472
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:56 pm
- First Name: Robert
- Last Name: Brough
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- Location: Winston, GA
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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.
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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.
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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!
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!
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
Well, they're demountable so, if you don't like them located where they are, you can have them remounted in 15 minutes. 

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Topic author - Posts: 472
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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.
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.
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
-
- Posts: 2246
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Where would you put two new rims?
Should be quite a head-turner when you're done. Have fun!
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
Contact Steve Hood of Vintage Wheels Australia. I have bought 2 sets of 21" wheels and 1 set of clinchers from him.
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Topic author - Posts: 472
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:56 pm
- First Name: Robert
- Last Name: Brough
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 War Wagon 1927 Depot Hack 1927 TT
- Location: Winston, GA
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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?
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?
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
Dont beat them.signsup wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 2:31 pmWAKE 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?
Use a press or find someone with a press.
I have straightened a couple that were pretzeled by a tire shop.
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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.speedytinc wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 3:37 pmDont beat them.signsup wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 2:31 pmWAKE 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?
Use a press or find someone with a press.
I have straightened a couple that were pretzeled by a tire shop.
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Topic author - Posts: 472
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:56 pm
- First Name: Robert
- Last Name: Brough
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 War Wagon 1927 Depot Hack 1927 TT
- Location: Winston, GA
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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.
Got nothing to loose, they are C clip shaped now.
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.
-
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Re: Where would you put two new rims?
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.
Allan from down under.