Are these the dreaded widow makers?

 

Yes. The outer rim has no line defining a side ring and locking ring. The F-7/F-8s could have been fitted with these Firestone RH-5° style, or the three piece Firestone R-5° style, or the demountable Dayton style rims. In later years Budd offered two tubeless 22.5" wheels, 6.75" and 7.50" wide, having the 8 lug x 10" pattern. Rare to the extreme. Stu

Widow maker RH-5°



Three piece R-5°

 

Is there a simple solution?

 

The three piece R-5° style are safer than the RH-5° style and can still be serviced in most areas. You might contact Chuck Mantiglia to see if he has a set. He searched and found a set of the "unobtainium" 22.5s for his F-7 Coleman. He might have the original three piecers still around. You might ask him too if he has a line on the Dayton spoked wheels. They can be fitted with 22.5" tubeless outer rims same as any modern truck. Below is a link to Chuck's web site, and a pic of his Coleman. Stu

Chucks Trucks LLC., Chuck's Trucks, Chucks Trucks

 

So now that I have them, I want them off the truck. Is it safe for me to remove them? They are pressurized. Are there safe procedures to remove the wheels from the truck?

 

Are you intending to reuse the tires? If not, my method of choice is to drill a 1/8" hole straight into the tread area while standing out of the way if they let go. It's the outer rear duals that expose you to the most risk since the side ring would exit outward. Inner duals and fronts would blow inward toward the truck. If tires are to be saved you pull the valve cores to release the air, standing out of the way. Your hand is exposed in this situation but not your face. Stu