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Im starting an F5 project and having a hard time finding a solution to the widow makers. I have searched around the forums and have read some older posts about older dodge RV rims or some Older gruman trucks used the 20 x 7.5 . I have seen a you tuber weld centers from widow makers to some 19.5 rims, that looks doable. Does anyone have any info on any substitute rims or is the make it your self the best options?
Darren_
Multi-piece split rims are not a problem, unless they are the Firestone RH5 the true window makers. Any farm/truck tire shop will work on the multi-piece split rims, and the 750-20 and 825-20 tires, tubes and liners are available to be ordered (probably not on the shelf). You also have the option of harvesting rims from other period trucks of the time, International Harvester, Studebaker, Dodge that have the 5 on 8 bolt pattern and use these serviceable multi-piece split rims. If you want to go tubeless, there are 22.5 and 19.5 single piece rims out there from some vehicles in the 80's such as Dodge/Winnebago motor homes that use the 5 on 8 bolt pattern. Finally, there are those on the forum who have gotten new rims from Wheels Now, American Wheel, OTR. They have 19.5, 20, and 22.5 options with the 5 on 8 bolt patterns.
I don't recommend making your own like the YouTuber (who amusingly and rightly was chastised for his specific approach here on the forum), but if you can find a good machine shop, they may be able and willing to do the work with the requisite precision with regards to centering, squaring, and balance.
I went through the same struggle! There are new wheels available from Wheels Now in Wisconsin. The problem is they have a huge hub face and only two small grab holes. In my opinion they look terrible compared to the original 5 grab hole rims. They are also $400 a piece to boot! So on a dually, you are looking at over $2500 in rims and then add $300 tires to that...at the least...now you are at $4500. Those rims are 22.5's which is what you really want to go with, that will slightly raise your top speed...which is a good thing since top speed isn't really a great phrase for an F5 lol. 19.5's will lower your top speed. My solution was to cut the centers out of a 22.5x7.5 truck rim and weld the outer half of the widow maker into them. This is not really for the faint of heart though. For each wheel you want to make, it will take about 18 feet of cutting and 18 feet of welding per wheel. Also takes a lot of patience to get them straight and true. At the end of the day though...I only have about $50 into each wheel.
Darren - clearly you’ve done your reading on this and know the risks. The vast majority of these early Fords did have the widow maker RH-5° wheels. The other guys have described the replacement options and donors well. Working against you is that you live in the north east where there are gonna be fewer old salvage yards compared to the western states. One of our MT members lives in an area where he’s had good luck finding wheels in local yards, but I don’t recall him saying that he has any right now. I’ll text a few friends to see if any are in hand. Again, these are western state members and there would be shipping costs on top of wheel costs. And that part of the country is covered in snow right now. Stu
Darren - clearly you’ve done your reading on this and know the risks. The vast majority of these early Fords did have the widow maker RH-5° wheels. The other guys have described the replacement options and donors well. Working against you is that you live in the north east where there are gonna be fewer old salvage yards compared to the western states. One of our MT members lives in an area where he’s had good luck finding wheels in local yards, but I don’t recall him saying that he has any right now. I’ll text a few friends to see if any are in hand. Again, these are western state members and there would be shipping costs on top of wheel costs. And that part of the country is covered in snow right now. Stu
Thank you Stu, I see your posts a lot i these forums so far, glad to have your expertise!
I have contacted Wheels now and they have them (22.5) in stock for $349 each. I would rather go with an older substitute and the shipping would still be much less than the new option. also I see someone went with the WN option and said they only have 2 holes? not a good look I would think .
Also the 19.5 seems to be too small of clearance for the F5's drum I was reading as well.
I went through the same struggle! There are new wheels available from Wheels Now in Wisconsin. The problem is they have a huge hub face and only two small grab holes. In my opinion they look terrible compared to the original 5 grab hole rims. They are also $400 a piece to boot! So on a dually, you are looking at over $2500 in rims and then add $300 tires to that...at the least...now you are at $4500. Those rims are 22.5's which is what you really want to go with, that will slightly raise your top speed...which is a good thing since top speed isn't really a great phrase for an F5 lol. 19.5's will lower your top speed. My solution was to cut the centers out of a 22.5x7.5 truck rim and weld the outer half of the widow maker into them. This is not really for the faint of heart though. For each wheel you want to make, it will take about 18 feet of cutting and 18 feet of welding per wheel. Also takes a lot of patience to get them straight and true. At the end of the day though...I only have about $50 into each wheel.
Thanks for the response, I would not be opposed to the cut and weld approach as I would only be bumming around locally. however the time spend is steep and I'm a bit of an impatient person. did you see the WN wheel?
Thanks for the response, I would not be opposed to the cut and weld approach as I would only be bumming around locally. however the time spend is steep and I'm a bit of an impatient person. did you see the WN wheel?
Yes, they sent me a pic of them when I called to inquire. I then Google and found a few examples of them actually on trucks. I just really don't like the large hub face...you could always cut more grab holes I suppose...but that large flat face will still be there 🤷
The 19.5” will clear your drums, but the 8R19.5” tire is shorter than your 20”. The 8R19.5” is 34” vs the 9R22.5” at 38”, which is same as an 8.25-20”. If you can find 7.50-20” they are about 37”.
If you are serious and willing to pay shipping I can have my MT buddy check in. I think he has 22.5s. Stu
Truck is up on blocks, im serious.
Im not opposed to shorter but whatever works at this point. it was the guy at Wheels Now that said his 19.5 rims had only 17" clearance for the hub. im going home now and measuring.....
TBC
Darren_
I have no idea about the repop 19.5s, but have over the years sold probably a couple dozen sets of the old original Budd 89340 motor home wheels with no problems. The 22.5s my buddy Mark has are Budd 69930s to my recall. They are the early 5.25” wide version. These are not designed for the 9R22.5” tire, but that is the narrowest tire today available. They work fine, and the duals don’t rub. Stu
Stu, im looking for a little more aggressive of a look, the manual says I can go with an 8.25 rim or tire. is this true with my setup? in either the 19.5" or 20" or 22.5" ?
So oddly, I found that my right hub is a floating type drum and left side is axle mounted drum. is this normal? I'm told the floating drums didn't come out till the 70's
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