Sorry for the quality of the pictures, but are these the infamous "widow makers"?

 

Pics 1, 2, and 3 look to be the same wheel. It is mounted on an outer rear and is not a widow maker. The fourth pic is mounted on the front axle and is a widow maker. Both the widow maker and the locking side ring types are dangerous so please release all air before removing them from the truck. It's my belief the locking ring style should be serviced by professionals. And doubt you'll find anyone to service the widow makers. Stu

 

Thanks. I read the article, I believe by you on the forum about these. The first three are the same wheel, which was originally on the front. it was blown, so we moved it in order to load the truck. The last pic is what was on the outer rear, now mounted on the front. I could not see a big difference in them and it was dark, so the pics are not the greatest. I wa hoping at least some could be used, but soes not look that way, based on what I've read.

 

Not sure what article you're referring to. I don't recall doing an article, but there are some on other web sites.

The wheel now mounted on the rear, and the one it faces on the inner dual if I'm seeing correctly through the hand holes, are both locking side ring style and can be kept in service if not otherwise damaged, badly rusted, etc. Seeing all the wheels would be helpful. Stu

 

Off the top of my head, a visual difference is the lock ring style has an extra "rib" on the outer ring. Like 3 vs 2 (Widowmakers)

 

This is what we see inside the hand holes in the rear wheel picture. The rounded rim lip with the separate locking ring. The rear rims are most likely this same Firestone RH design.




The front widow maker has no visible separate ring on its face. That's because it mounts to the rim base from the concave/back side, which is one of the reasons they are so deadly. A tire tech can't readily see whether he has a good seat as the tire is inflated. Stu

 

Thanks for all the input. Went back out this afternoon in the daylight. Looks like I have two death rims:



And the rest are like this one:

 

Yup, Firestone RH design. Hopefully they are free of internal rust damage, are straight, and otherwise free of damage.

Internal rust damage that can't be readily seen can be fatal to the wheel too. Ask me how I know. Stu