I had a flat tire but the shop won't fix it because they are too old even though they are in excellent condition. It has 7.50-17 inch bias tires on it with inner tubes. I would like to put tubeless tires and wheels, something in a more readily available size. Can you tell me what wheels I can put on the truck?

 

First a question. Do you really have 17.5" wheels and tires, or are they straight 17". The original tires that came on the truck were 7.50x17" tube type. The original wheels were two piece RH-5° widow makers. A 17.5" is tubeless (no need for that tube) and would be 7-17.5" or 8-17.5". If you really have 17.5s they are one of the better replacement options for the original widow makers. Also, if that's what is on the truck now there may be a reason for that. If your truck is an early year built 1951, and has the stock Timken axle with 14" rear drums, few other wheels will clear the drums. If the truck was built late in '51 it will have 12" drums that any 16" F-250 8 lug x 6.5" pattern wheel (1997HD model or earlier) will swap on cleanly. Stu

Edit - okay, that makes more sense. Now tell us if the parking brake handle is located in the left foot well, or center right of the shifter. That will tell us which brake drums are on the Timken, unless the truck has had an axle swap. Stu

 

The brake is right of center. Hopefully I can get around to measuring the bolt pattern.
As it is I have to park the truck at a friends until my shop is built and I don't have ready access to the truck.

 

The brake handle right of center says that you have the parking brake assembly mounted at the rear of the transmission. Late 1951 configuration, meaning you will have 12" rear brake drums with normal 8 x 6.5" bolt pattern. This assumes everything on the truck is OEM stock. The 12" drums allow you to use any 16" wheel and tire combo from a 1997 HD model or earlier F-250. Stu

 

Find a set of 16 inch wheels from an F-2. These are one piece wheels and can take the stock hubcaps.

 

Thanks guys. I will start checking the classifieds.

 

If your 17'' widowmakers are in good condition I am sure interested in 2 of them. Let me know what you want for them and shipping to 19073
Thanks
Ed
near Philadelphia

 

fordf348. I want to keep them with the truck. Thanks for the offer.

 

Seems to me the best use for them is to be melted and turned into Chinese trash can lids. Stu

 

Truckdog62583, I like my truck just the way my Dad bought it, I am sure there are many things that can be changed to make it more acceptable to you. Brakes, engine, rear, transmission, tires, seats, gas tank, and much more.
But I will be keeping it just the way I like it.
Thanks for your concerns
Ed
PS...if you run into a pair of good 17'' widowmakers I would sure like to have them

 

Not gonna happen. Stu

 

I was just going to let this die a quiet death, but I can't do it.

You obviously don't believe these wheels are dangerous and/or have not done any research into the explosive nature of this wheel design.

Here's one for you. Tire Rim Explosion | The Simon Law Firm, P.C.

Here's another: http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr1309.pdf

And another: 756 F2d 1322 Hale v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Hale | OpenJurist

Admittedly, no one died in these incidents. They are just records of the lawsuits by people injured by the Firestone wheel. I hope you'll take the time to read them.

So my point is simple: If you experience an explosion of one of these defective split rims I sincerely hope that no one else is nearby to be injured.

OK. I'm done.

And I wish you good luck!

 

Thanks Joe. Okay, I was gonna let it go too, but here's my comments.

First, those who know me know I'm a stocker. But I draw the line at widow makers.

Second, the new member asked for alternative wheel information. I answered his question, and yes, voiced my views in a non-confrontational way. The viewpoint expressed is based on much research, and many discussions with wheel and tire professionals to measure the degree (or lack of) willingness within the trade to deal with these wheels. I make an effort to provide information, refer guys to Google for reading material on the RH-5°, and have compiled a library of resources that allow me to offer concrete solutions to the challenges guys face. After that, if a guy wants to use the wheels that's his business. And last, my full name goes at the bottom of each posting. I stand behind what I say. Stu

 

OK, you have my attention, but rather than let a safety issue die a natural death why not expand on it?.....there are many other issues with any older vehicle that we know about but still get in it and drive them......maybe a thread dedicated to known issues and I am sure Truckdog and Jolly Joe know more than I do.
What do you say?
Ed

 

Those of us that field these same questions over and over again get to feeling like we're beating a dead horse. It's all been written. But there are always new members arriving that don't sometimes even know to ask the questions that are relevant to their trucks. I swapped notes with the moderators a few years ago about doing a tech article but didn't pursue it thinking it would again beat the dead horse. Might be time to rethink it. Stu