I am tagging along on this conversation....I will need to figure out what to do for a wheel set too it seems. Might it be safe to run these wheels for a bit, they have held the air over the years of sitting. Typical dry sidewalls, not much tread. Is it safe enough to move down the road?

 

And here is some more wheel info to compliment Stu's info in this thread. I downloaded years back and rather than pollute the thread with the 7 page file, re-searched to find the site I pulled it from. It's a 7 page OSHA file with pics of the wheels in question (along with others) on pg 3 and 6, left column. You can also save the .pdf file to your computer. Here's the link:

http://www.tireindustry.org/pdf/osha_Demount-Mount.pdf

And here's a link to an OSHA file on Rim Matching, also with a good pic of the Firestone RH5* rims (pg 2 3rd pic). And like the file above you can download / save the .pdf to your computer:
http://www.tireindustry.org/pdf/osha_Rim%20Matching.pdf

 

Nobody can answer that without sticking their neck out. Way out IMHO. One of the things that can provoke them to come apart is the disturbance of a side ring that has grown weak over time due to rust or other undetected prior road damage. Another is the undetected loss of air pressure as the vehicle is rolling down the road. Sitting for years there will be rain and condensation collection in the wheel and tire that likely will have caused rust. Putting all that into motion and under the weight of the truck, well you get the picture.

The only movement I've ever asked of a truck equipped with widowmakers was to roll up my ramps onto the trailer, then off again into the barn. I have two trucks out in the barn that still have WMs. One is on jack stands with the air out of the tires, the other is sitting with most of the air released.

I accept that others view these things as being more benign than I do. There are a lot of these wheels still on the road in everyday use, so each person makes his own decisions in the matter and takes the risks. Stu

 

And people need to understand the potential force if one lets go. My dad owned / used a 52 F-6 lwb dump, while I was growing up (where my passion started). On one occasion he had an outside dual let go - it sheard the phone pole in the alley he was parked next to, parked. This was at least 40 years ago when the wheels were obviously much newer. The outside duals are the biggest concern as there's nothing to stop the ring from leaving the premises. Front wheel and inside dual rings will slam into the frame.

The first priority when I picked up my 48 was to find lock ring replacement wheels for the split rims on the truck, (I want to run 9.00 - 20's). My 48 is a rust free Nebraska truck (except lwr left frt fender at running board mount hole) and wheels looked great too. I took one apart for curiosity and it was as clean inside too.

I asked myself this question though, "How would I feel if while at a cruise / show one decided to let go and someone was standing next to it?" Let alone a child. I decided to minimize the risk as much as possible..... As time has gone on I've fallen in line with Stu's conviction.

And here are a couple pics of other things to look for. With newer rims you'll get welded vs rivited centers. The weld helps seal the 2 pieces. On rivited rims over time dirt and moisture creep in between the riveted section of the rim pieces and they will corrode, scale and mushroom. I'd steer clear of these too. First pic is of a welded rim, 2nd is rivited exterior mushrooming (wheel sections should be flush all-around), 3rd rivited interior - you can see the rivet head and the corrosion around it.

Not trying to scare anyone on these, just share info gathered along the way so they can be informed in a decision.

 

Thanks guys, that puts it very much in perspective for me. Any one have replacements handy?

 

That is where you have to go into the hunting mode. But first, you must decide what you are going to use the truck for. When I bought my F5, I knew that it would never see the hard labor these trucks were meant to endure. So that left me with more options than somebody who is planning to 'work' the truck.
The three options areI took the third option as these are probably the most plentiful, depending on where you live and how far your willing to search. These 19.5 Motor Home wheels are not as heavy as the others and should not be used for heavy loads, so just be aware.

Seizure66, being in AZ you have a far better chance of finding any of these wheels. Check the junk yards for old Ford F500 and P500 chassis after 1956 when the 22.5 became optional. Also look for old 1 1/2 ton Dodge and I think International with the 5x8" bolt pattern. For the 19.5, there are several RV salvage yards in that region, or just start looking for old junk motorhomes in your area.

 

Well, not sure of your location. I know at one time Stu had some. And a guy in Utah (can't think of his name at the moment - it'll come to me or Stu will pop in with it) finds them like popcorn in a movie theater and rescues them. For most people it's a distance thing that gets in the way. I wouldn't mind a spare or two but UT to MI is a bit of a drive. Some options people search for are 19.5 or 22.5 tubeless rims found on older Ford's starting around '56. They are hard to find and much in demand though. 19.5's can also be found on some old Dodge chassis motorhomes. I just started hitting the little more obscure junk yards.

 

Josh / jmadsen of Salt Lake City is the collector of 20" lock ring wheels. Go to page 7 of this discussion link below and you'll see him weighing in on the wheel subject and can then contact him from there if you want. Distance and shipping $$ has kept his wheels from most of us, as his collection grows.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...erience-7.html

Good luck,

 

Bob is right that the shipping cost is worse than the cost of the wheels themselves. I've got I think nine 20s that I rescued just to pass on to guys needing them. I've also got a set of six 19.5s that somebody could have. Living in Arizona, though, you should have no major trouble finding a set of old motorhome 19.5s. Don't most of the old motorhomes go there or to Florida to die? I saw a set a few years ago at DVAP in Phoenix, so would think that might be a good place to start the search. Stu

 

LOL, Ah great! Now I'm known as the Great 20" lockring wheel collector! oh well, I'm sure I've been called worse... jk
Actually I think I just may have them all spoken for? I hope. I need a Barn and a field, I'm all out of space which was pretty limited to begin with.

 

Hey Josh~
Those of us with 5 x 8" wheel needs appreciate your effort in the "Save the Wheels" campaign, along with others like Stu. I've not had much time to check old barns or junk yards this past year and know the wheels are slipping away to scrap metal or slowly rusting away in obscure corners.

Maybe we should have some Save the Wheels shirts printed up with a nice Goodyear rim logo to wear at swap meets etc. to let our cause be known...

 

Surprising no aftermarket mfg has picked up this demand with a good readily available tubeless steel wheel. With 6 rims/vehicle, the demand is 50% more than a normal vehicle.

Has anyone ever considered or seen use of adapters (at least on the front and/or outer rear?). I'm not a big fan of them esp if you are going to actually work the truck, but it seems it may be reasonable for those doing parades/shows/minimal driving to get a safer wheel and tubeless setup. Obviously, you have to work the offset issue with whatever wheels you were going to.

 

Back a couple years ago, or maybe it's more now, we looked into adapters when we were pondering doing a group purchase of wheels. IIRC the cost rivaled the cost of a wheel. It didn't go much further after that, and the group purchase idea died too because we found a resource that sells new 19.5s at a rate that rivaled the estimated rate we'd be paying as part of the group. The other thread that's going now about "F-6 Widowmaker Experience" started with our member Eric buying a set of these new wheels that are available from American Wheel Specialist in Pasco, WA. Stu

 

Hell ya, that's a great idea, Id wear one of those shirts, who can draw something up? I have an old coworker that got into screen printing and could see about getting some prototypes done up.

 

I have a great graphic artist......$ though...

or I will trade the artwork for the wheels!!!!!