What wheels are these??
#16
#18
If your truck is an F-5 it will have 20” wheels. Tire options were likely 7.50-20” at 37” diameter, or 8.25-20” at 38+” diameter.
The 22.5” wheel is the direct replacement for the 20”. The 22.5” rims were made in 3 widths - 5.25”, 6.00”, and 6.75”. The 6.75” is seldom found. Most I know of are the 5.25”. The 9R22.5” tire is technically too wide for the 5.25” rim but many guy run them no problem. I swapped notes with my buddy Mark this morning and he told me he doesn’t have 6 to sell. So. My other buddy in MT, also named Mark, does have six if you want to contact him. Shipping MT to TX would add expense.
The 19.5” wheels were made in two widths, 5.25” and 6.00”. Both are spec’d for either the 8R19.5” at 34” or 225/70R19.5” at 32”. Stu
The 22.5” wheel is the direct replacement for the 20”. The 22.5” rims were made in 3 widths - 5.25”, 6.00”, and 6.75”. The 6.75” is seldom found. Most I know of are the 5.25”. The 9R22.5” tire is technically too wide for the 5.25” rim but many guy run them no problem. I swapped notes with my buddy Mark this morning and he told me he doesn’t have 6 to sell. So. My other buddy in MT, also named Mark, does have six if you want to contact him. Shipping MT to TX would add expense.
The 19.5” wheels were made in two widths, 5.25” and 6.00”. Both are spec’d for either the 8R19.5” at 34” or 225/70R19.5” at 32”. Stu
#19
A stock F5 will have 20" bias ply tires. Various factors would lead to these being be 7.00-20, 7.50-20, and sometimes 8.25-20 tire sizes. This chart shows the equivalent sizes to the first tubeless generation:
You will find that the smaller sizes don't modernize very well, thus pushing you towards the 9R-22.5 size (which is fine - I have them on my F5 and look no different than the 8.25-20s I have on my F6 which is expected as they are "the same size")
Then there is the rim size that must be appropriate for the tire. Generally for our trucks this is the 22.5x6.75 size which isn't the easiest 22.5 size to find. Some get away with smaller, but check with the tire manufacturer specs on if a 22.5-6.00 is acceptable.
And for more information, here are some speed calculations as well as tire diameter size comparisons:
Edit: Looks like Stu and I were typing at the same time!
You will find that the smaller sizes don't modernize very well, thus pushing you towards the 9R-22.5 size (which is fine - I have them on my F5 and look no different than the 8.25-20s I have on my F6 which is expected as they are "the same size")
Then there is the rim size that must be appropriate for the tire. Generally for our trucks this is the 22.5x6.75 size which isn't the easiest 22.5 size to find. Some get away with smaller, but check with the tire manufacturer specs on if a 22.5-6.00 is acceptable.
And for more information, here are some speed calculations as well as tire diameter size comparisons:
Edit: Looks like Stu and I were typing at the same time!
#22
#23
These true Widowmaker rims are not only dangers during service, but also just being as many failures also happened outside of servicing. Simply using a cage during servicing does not make these true RH-5° rims safe to use.
A cage should be used for any truck wheel during service, regardless of type.
A cage should be used for any truck wheel during service, regardless of type.
#24
A local in our small town suffered four fractures from a widowmaker--two on each leg.
#25
I Don't Understand This
Well thanks for the information fellas. You guys are a valuable resource to us noobs. You are appreciated. I haven’t touched the wheels since I got the truck. Is there a safe way to lower pressure or remove the wheels without killing myself? I think I read that LOWERING pressure could cause them to “explode”. The truck has obviously sat in the mud for awhile based on the mud line on the tires. Is there someone near Austin, Texas that would want to trade/buy the original wheels? Any help getting a good replacement set in the Austin area would be appreciated.
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#27
#29
widow makers are safer when deflated as they cant go boom if they have no outward pressure from air in the tube.
chances are your tires are flat from sitting anyways so get in a safe position and remove the valve cores from all the tires, facing away for obvious reasons.
the tires when flat look aired up as bias ply tires hold thier own weight from the thick sidewall.
This is what i do for an example (I am a trained professional idiot so dont try this at home.), I have driven my truck many times with no air in my widowmakers.
I dont suggest you do this for saftey reasons, but for moving around your yard these rims are safe if they dont have air in them.
if you dont feel safe doing that then dont do it, but the reason i am saying this is so you can start working on your truck now as getting a set of new wheels and tires takes quite a while.
So you can work on your truck while finding a set of new wheels is what i meant.
chances are your tires are flat from sitting anyways so get in a safe position and remove the valve cores from all the tires, facing away for obvious reasons.
the tires when flat look aired up as bias ply tires hold thier own weight from the thick sidewall.
This is what i do for an example (I am a trained professional idiot so dont try this at home.), I have driven my truck many times with no air in my widowmakers.
I dont suggest you do this for saftey reasons, but for moving around your yard these rims are safe if they dont have air in them.
if you dont feel safe doing that then dont do it, but the reason i am saying this is so you can start working on your truck now as getting a set of new wheels and tires takes quite a while.
So you can work on your truck while finding a set of new wheels is what i meant.
#30
Wonder if anyone has just welded the 2 piece widowmakers together ( after locked in correct position) Metal must be clean of course. Then use liners and tubes on them. Tires would just have to be installed on a typical tire mounting machine. Is this far fetched? Was this ever an approved repair?