1948 Rims?
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1948 Rims?
I have a 1948 ford F-7, 2&1/2 ton. How do I tell what type of rims I have by looking at them? How do I know If I have 'widow makers' or not?
Thanks,
John - NNY
Restored - Replacing fuel lines, electric fuel pump, electric radiator fan.
Thanks,
John - NNY
Restored - Replacing fuel lines, electric fuel pump, electric radiator fan.
Senior User
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Chances are you do have the old split rims. If you look at the rim face on,you will see a lock ring that covers the tire bead where the tire meets the rim. The split rim has a split or a small gap where the ends come together where the tire bead fits on the rim. If you don't you will have a rim that resembles a regular automotive rim.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The "Widow Makers" were used on F-3 (8 lug) through F-6 (5 lug) and are not worked on by most tire companies. F-7 & 8s have Dayton wheels, a whole different animal and are still used on big trucks today.
"Widow Maker" rim
Dayton Wheel
"Widow Maker" rim
Dayton Wheel
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Central Illinois
There won't always be a split in the rim. Generally will be, but not always. I've got some that are designed with indents on the sides of the rim that allow it to be pried off in one piece. If you can find me the Budd part# from the back side of the rim I'll look it up in my old Budd manuals. Usually the number is five digits and may have a letter at the end. The number will be on the back of the wheel (concave side) and generally is stamped opposite the valve hole. You'll probably have to use a wire wheel on an angle grinder to get past the crud. It'll be on the outer edge of one of your rear duals. Stu
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Central Illinois
If you've got Dayton's, like Bob says, you should be ok. Those I don't have books for. If for some reason what you have are Budds, I can help. If you've got Budds that are the true two piece wheel (two near equal halves that interconnect) you'll want to get rid of them. If you've got Budds that are the split ring type, those should be ok to use. Stu
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
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From: Central Illinois
If John has Daytons, this isn't important to him. But FWIW, my Budd books from 41, 44, 49, and on up into the 70s show that all sizes, even the 20, 22, and 24s, used what they called a L series split ring. There was L, LB, LT, and LW. All a slightly different design which is why Budd preached to never mix and match wheels and rings. Stu
