Stu is the guy to talk to about rims he helped me a lot i have set coming on a truck that i just bought but will need to look them over before selling them. the 22.5 are in more damand but 19.5s are cheaper.

 

Thanks, and Stu has certainly loaded me up with extremely useful information! You mentioned cost and that is exactly what I am looking at trying to figure out what route makes the most sense for us. I would also like to see if there are any junk yards in my area that could possibly be picked through.

 

Just an update to this thread - We ended up buying new tires that would fit on the original rims. They are 8.25x20 and are a little larger in diameter than the originals but fit just fine. Finding a dealership that would mount them was funny. Some wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole and others weren't phased by it at all. Either way, its great to get the original tire off the front and good rubber all the way around!

 

That is one sharp looking F5. It looks like the paint could be buffed and it would still shine! Tires look good also, 8.25-20 is a good size for these old trucks.
Mark

 

I too have found a couple of small shops still willing to work on widow makers. The lawyers and insurance rates haven't scared them off. You've done the research and know the risks associated with the RH-5° rims. That's all anybody can ask. Stu

 

The shop that usually does all of our farm tires said the last widow maker rim they did 10 years ago was mounted, aired up and was leaving the parking lot when it blew apart. They said they'd never touch one again.

The outfit that actually mounted these took them off the truck in our barn, dismounted and remounted them at their shop but did not air them up immediately. Then they temporarily mounted them one at a time on the rear axle, inner dual position and aired them up. That way if there was an incident while airing them up, the rim would blow towards the frame. They also used air hose extensions and were not standing by them when airing up. I will admit, I was holding my breath when he was tightening the lug nuts though. We actually had this done over the summer (I just now finally pulled the pics off my phone) and thus far, no leaks or other issues.

Stu - shortly after posting this thread, I found an old camper literally less than three miles from the farm with what I believe to be the five lug 19.5 Budd style rim. The owner wasn't ready to part with and really didn't seem too happy to let me look closer. I am going to keep on that though.

 

Stay after it, and pull the rear axle too when you score it. I had one of them intending to do a big truck project, but it wasn't getting done. Sold it to a local guy who mounted it under his F-5. Then a few weeks ago I sold a set of wheels to a Studebaker guy that had mounted one of the Dana70HDs from a Dodge RM400/RM500 under his 2R15. It's darn near a bolt in to my understanding. Spring perches have to be either moved or edges ground off to make up 1/8" on each side. Gains you a 4.56/1 ratio.

Last story I heard first hand was from a guy that bought his new F-4, and while winching it on the trailer an inner dual went bang. Things aren't trustworthy. Stu

 

That is a beautiful F-5! I too live in Maryland. I will need to put some tires on my truck soon. Would you be able to give the name of the shop that mounted your tires? I spoke with a man who has a shop somewhere near Keymar, Md about these wheels, but It is not a definite yes whether he will work on my wheels or not. I have had no luck with other tire shops. I was looking into replacing the hubs with newer hubs that will match my spindles, and go with 10 lug one piece wheels on my F-7, but I would still like to have the option of using the existing wheels.

 

Your F-7 shouldn't have the "RH-5°" outer rims. Edit - correction in post 28 below. They had either the three piece style known as an "AR" design, or Dayton demountables that you seem not to have. The AR wouldn't scare me away. Stu

 

Other than being 8 lug, they look the same as the wheels on my 55 F-600. The inside of the wheel appears to have that same raised band where the wheel comes apart. They do not appear to be 3 piece. I could be wrong, but they don't look like the section drawing. I'll investigate further. I wish I had the Dayton set up. I really like the industrial heavy look of the spider wheels. I wish I had air brakes too.

 

Could be I guess. The AR will have the raised area like an RH-5° but has the small locking ring that makes it different. Stu

 

Judging by the front wheels, they don't appear to have a lock ring. I'll go down tomorrow and snap some pictures. Everything I know about these type wheels is from reading your (Stu) posts here or at the Ford Barn. I've had these trucks for 25 years, but I didn't know anything about the wheels until I stumbled onto one of your posts several years ago. Thanks!

 

Well, you sent me back to the books. And yes, there were two 8 x 10" pattern 20" x 6.5" Budds (59830 and 66970) during that era that had RH-5° rims. And I'll correct myself on the three piecers. They were Firestone R-5°, not AR. There were also a few with Goodyear LW and LBW rims. You wish you had them. Stu

 

I have a dana 70 out of a 1977 dodge motor home in my f5. Same bolt pattern on the wheels 4.56 ratio and pretty much a bolt in.

 

Welcome to the forum. Tell us about the truck. Pictures?