About This Ford Pickup 1940 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Ford Pickup 1940 sits on a set of 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 26″, 28″ / 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 26″, 28″-inch American Racing VF498 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose American Racing for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Ford Pickup builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the American Racing VF498 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: American Racing VF498 on the Ford Pickup 1940
I finally got up close to this '40 Ford truck and the American Racing VF498 setup is pure perfection. We see a lot of builds, but this one nails the wheel-to-fender relationship. The aggressive offset pushes the wheels right to the edge of the metal without looking like a cartoon.
The 1940 platform is notorious for tight clearances in those rounded, bulbous fenders. These wheels clear the stock brake geometry with ease while leaving enough room for a modern big brake kit. We love how the hub bore fits the spindle without requiring sketchy adapters.
The barrel lip depth on these VF498s creates a serious deep-dish look that defines the era. It anchors the truck to the pavement and gives it a wider, meaner footprint. You want that depth to balance out the high nose of the stock front end.
Spoke design here is crucial because it keeps the wheel from looking too modern or cheap. These spokes reach out to the barrel, making the wheel look larger than it actually is. It bridges the gap between old-school hot rod culture and contemporary manufacturing.
We checked for rubbing at full lock and found absolutely zero contact on the inner frame rails. That is a rare win on a truck this old with this much drop. You usually battle steering linkage interference, but these wheels solve that problem through clever geometry.
Fender gap is non-existent because the builder chose the right tire aspect ratio to match the wheel diameter. It sits low and hunkered down, just like a pre-war workhorse should. Every millimeter of space is accounted for in this specific fitment.
The suspension work here really lets the wheels shine by keeping the geometry square. When you drop a '40 Ford, the track width can get weird, but this setup compensates perfectly. It sits flush, balanced, and undeniably purposeful.
What We Recommend for Ford Pickup 1940 Owners
If you own a '40 Ford, stick to a 17-inch or 18-inch wheel diameter for the best visual balance. Anything larger starts to look like a wagon wheel and ruins the vintage vibe. We suggest staying within an 8-inch to 9-inch width range for the front to keep the steering light.
Offset is your biggest enemy when you start pushing the wheels out. We recommend an offset that keeps the tire centered in the wheel arch to avoid rubbing the paint off your fenders. If you go too wide, be prepared to get comfortable with a body hammer.
We always suggest a staggered setup for these trucks to give them that classic rake. Put a slightly wider wheel in the back to fill those massive rear fenders. It creates a predatory stance that makes the truck look like it is charging forward at a standstill.
Don't fall for the trap of buying cheap spacers to fix a bad fitment choice. Spacers add stress to your wheel bearings and introduce unnecessary vibrations at highway speeds. Buy the right offset from the start and do the job once.
Check your tire sidewall profile before you finalize your order. You need enough meat on the tire to soak up the road imperfections of an old chassis. If you choose a rubber-band tire, you will hate the ride quality within ten miles.
Style and Build Analysis
The VF498 finish acts like a mirror against the deep, glossy paint of this pickup. It catches the sun and creates a sharp contrast against the dark, organic curves of the 1940 bodywork. The wheels don't just sit on the truck; they become a functional piece of art.
These wheels pull the eye down to the pavement where the real performance lives. The industrial aesthetic of the American Racing design complements the rugged, utilitarian roots of the Ford truck. It is the perfect marriage of historical soul and modern refinement.
We see plenty of builds that go too far with chrome, but this truck gets the balance right. The brushed or polished accents on the wheels highlight the chrome trim on the hood and grille. It ties the whole build together into one cohesive, aggressive package.
Proportions define a build, and this one hits the mark perfectly. The wheels fill the arches without looking stuffed or overdone. It feels intentional, like the truck was built specifically to house these exact wheels.
I have featured hundreds of trucks, but this one stands out because of its restraint. It doesn't scream for attention with neon lights or crazy camber. It just sits perfectly, looks fast, and commands respect every time it rolls onto the pavement.
Why We Love This Build
Seeing this Ford pickup parked in the afternoon sun is a spiritual experience for any gearhead. The way those American Racing VF498s catch the light makes the whole truck look like it is ready to tear up the asphalt. We love how the deep barrels give the truck a muscular, planted stance that screams classic American power. It captures everything we love about the hot rod scene while staying clean and sophisticated.
This truck doesn't need to do anything else to impress us. It is the ultimate example of how the right set of wheels can completely transform an icon. Go get a set and finish your own dream build already.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Ford Pickup 1940
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: American Racing VF498
- Wheel Size: 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 26″, 28″ / 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 26″, 28″
- Offset: Contact dealer
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Ford Pickup owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 26″, 28″ / 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 26″, 28″-inch wheels fit my Ford Pickup? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Ford Pickup owners run 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 26″, 28″ / 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 26″, 28″-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
