Not mine, I went and looked at it today,,, wish I needed another project,,,
but thought I would pass the word for anyone looking!

1963 Ford Flat Bed Dump Truck

Runs and drives nice, has new kingpins, has new tie-rods in the cab to be installed, I just can't justify it!

 

The hub piloted widow makers would be a down side. Stu

 

And those would be what?

 

Duplicate post.

 

The truck has a difficult set of issues with its wheels. First is the outer rim design, commonly called "widow makers", in the trade known as Firestone RH-5°. They are the worst of the multi-part designs because they have a greater tendancy to come apart. They were subject of a failed recall effort back in the 1970s, which at least succeeded in gaining agreement from the wheel companies to stop their sale. The last of them were listed by Kelsey Hayes in 1976/77.

If that was the only issue, there are tubeless 22.5" one piece wheels that have the 6 lug x 8.75" bolt pattern. These, however, are only available today (or used to my recall) in a "stud piloted" mounting. That means that the truck would have to be converted to the stud piloted system. I've never done it, but based on past discussions here, and based on logic when you study the design, the wheel studs would need to be replaced to permit the Budd style wheel studs to seat the inner cap nuts that hold the inner duals.

I'll link below some pictures of the widow maker rim design, and some pictures of the Budd style stud piloted mounting and Motor Wheel style hub piloted mounting. I'll also post pictures of a stud piloted lug nut set, and one of a hub piloted nut. The hub piloted mounting is a single nut system that has a floating captive washer at the back of the nut. You can see them in your picture of the truck. Stu

 

Funny thing is, they are the original rims, never had an issue, he is just looking to pass it on to someone who would appreciate it, and I am just being an enabler, trying to get those who also have my sickness, to not be quitters! Nobody likes a quitter! Just trying to spread the word of a good truck, for a good price I think.
Joe

 

i would so buy that and drive it, sell my 07 for sure

 

I'm not advocating quitting on your buddy's truck, quite the opposite. But normally this doesn't come up until the deal's been done, and I get pulled in to help find solutions for the unsuspecting guy who bought one of these old work horses. When it gets taken in for tires the guy gets the bad news that nobody will touch the rims. (I see you're in CA, go ask your guys at your local Les Schwab what they think of these rims.) Too much risk and liability anymore for reputable shops. Too many stories of people getting hurt real bad when one comes apart, and too many lawyers. The worst stories are the ones where a rim blows apart driving down the road, putting anybody in the line of fire at risk. I had a guy last fall tell me that he bought a similar truck and had an inner dual blow while winching it onto his trailer. It's only these rims, they're called Firestone RH-5°, that are bad ones. And like I described above, there are solutions that let a guy keep an honest old truck like this in service longer. Wish I knew how much time I spend each week answering emails and forum questions about these old wheels. Stu

 

There were F600s built with hub pilot wheels because I have one. But has RH-5 wheels on it.

 

Yeah, that's how I learned of this issue. Two or three other times we've had guys come on here describing the problems they have finding replacement wheels and tires for the early '60s F-600s. The below thread has some good discussion on this, plus links to a couple earlier threads. Stu

Questions about new truck - w/ pics! - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

He said $1500 would drive it home,,, for that, you almost have to buy it!!
I was REALLY tempted, but I want to get MY 63 on the road soon, and I will need the ca$h for that! Let me know if you are serious, I can drive it to my house and store if need be, PTO works great, bed goes smoothly up and down, I just couldn't justify buying it,,,now if I had a landscape business, or something of the sort, it would have been a done deal!

Thanks Stu for the info on the rims,,, never dealt with them, only the old split rims.

 

I think your gonna buy it

 

So... yes it will be coming to reside at my "Truck Rescue" sometime this week when I can go get it! Shouldn't have ever gone to look at it,,, I know better than that!

 

Congratulations

 

Ditto. Congrat's. Stu