Just got an interesting vehicle 1960 Ford F500 with a bucket assembly on the back.

Runs and drives, needs some brake work, and I just started reading about the widowmaker wheel issues.

Few questions:

Anyone know of a dual res. master brake cylinder that will direct bolt into this thing? Not a fan of single res master cylinders.

Wheel replacement options?

Thanks!

 

Also, do I need to worry about those wheels blowing apart when I take the rims off the vehicle to service the brakes? Thanks!

 

Please post more pictures showing the other side of the truck, and inner duals as best you can. The right front and right side outer dual are NOT widow makers. They are the locking side ring style that are safer to work with. Removing them, and others like them, should be safe. Letting the air out of any such tire before removal is a precaution worth taking. Then while reairing use a clip on chuck while standing off to one side. If you find other wheels on the truck have the widow maker RH-5° style outer rims replacement locking side ring wheels are available from several of us on the forum. Stu

 

Thank you Truckdog.

That widowmaker thing has had me worried since I read about them. Both sides are the same, but I'll take pictures later and post them.

Were the widowmakers standard on these trucks, or were a few different options the norm?

Thanks again.

 

Standard. Somebody (who is your friend) swapped them. Just make sure the inner duals were swapped too. Stu

 

Thank you. Appreciate the info. Will get pics of the other side and inners later this week.

Does anyone know what years and trucks the widowmakers were generally used on?

 

The first reference I have showing them is 1948. They were for many years the dominant rim design used by Ford, GM, and Studebaker (through cessation of production in 1963/64). It seems Dodge and IHC never used them. They survived a NHTSA/IIHS federal recall effort initiated in the early 1970s but did not survive intact. The sole material outcome of the failed recall was industry's agreement to cease their production and sale. Budd and Motor Wheel last listed them in 1972, Kelsey-Hayes in 1976. The legal, insurance, and service industries are driving them out of service. Those of us in the hobby are left to find alternative wheels. Stu

 

Hi there are you able to help me out with a few wier colours and where they go in behind the lower turret control box as im currently rebuilding one that had been pulled apart... Light green and black where do these attach to ? that are attached to the 14 pin plug that goes to up the basket

Hope you can Help
NZ Kiwi

 

bucket and controls would have been by aftermarket company (like my dump bed stuff). Good luck finding wire diagram.

 

I am learning how to post a question on this site as a new member. I hope I am doing it correctly.

I just bought a 59 f500 and have it at an ag repair outfit for brake service. They say they have never seen a truck with this type of rear setup: with 2 wheel cylinders on each side. Is this the "heavy duty" brakes? They said they had received kits for them but they would not work.

I told them I was unconcerned about saving a few bucks and ask them to simply replace all wheel cylinders all around. They have had trouble finding them.

I tried LMC Truck and cannot locate them there.

I would appreciate any links to rebuild videos as well as I cannot find any specific to the 59 f500.

Any part #s or suppliers for those cylinders, gentlemen??? I'm eager to get this girl on the road!

 

I could look them up but NumberDummy is way more experienced than I in tracking this stuff down (as are others) so maybe now that he has been linked to this he may chime in and provide you with a Ford pt# that can be cross-referenced.

 

Can't help with brakes but better to start a new post rather than adding to another. Your question may get missed. LMC only lists f100 and 250.

 

Those clinch ring wheels have been around a long time and have served well. If a ring is going to blow off, it usually happens when a tire has been removed / repaired / replaced. that is why the heavy duty tire shops have a "cage" to mount the wheel in when it is inflated. What kind of service are you going to put the truck into?

Hobo