How Can I Tell??
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,900
Likes: 3,139
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
If they are 16" they shouldn't be split rims. The Ford split rims of the era, known as "Widow Makers" did not have a outer ring, they were made of two almost equal halves that twisted together. You can tell if you have Widow Makers by looking on the inside of the rim, there will be a thick band, about 1 1/2" wide running in the middle of rim.
Most multi-part rims were made for 17" and up wheels and ended in an even number like 17", 20". Wheels that end with a fractional number like 19.5", 22.5" should be one piece tubless.
Most multi-part rims were made for 17" and up wheels and ended in an even number like 17", 20". Wheels that end with a fractional number like 19.5", 22.5" should be one piece tubless.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
I know nothing about the "widow makers" - the only split rims I have seen on the F1 to F350 trucks were the two types of conventional split rims - which are not dangerous to use or even repair. I thought the "widow makers" were mounted on the larger trucks.
We used split rims for years before we knew there was a problem - a problem caused by dumb tire installers, and fixed by using a safety cage when inflating. It is still legal to use them (with approved safety cage when installing), even though some tire shops try to tell you different.
It is easy enough - when inflating, make sure the ring snaps into place, and don't stand in front of or over the tire.
btw, split rims require tube-type tires.
We used split rims for years before we knew there was a problem - a problem caused by dumb tire installers, and fixed by using a safety cage when inflating. It is still legal to use them (with approved safety cage when installing), even though some tire shops try to tell you different.
It is easy enough - when inflating, make sure the ring snaps into place, and don't stand in front of or over the tire.
btw, split rims require tube-type tires.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,900
Likes: 3,139
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
According to the shop manual the two part rims were standard equipment on F-3 through F-7 trucks.(I thought the F-7s & 8 had the same Dayton type rims) F-3s were 17", eight lug, F-4 and up 20" with five lugs.
Here is a cross section of the Two Piece, Drop Center rim, as they are referred to in the shop manual:
The waring in the manual says,
The "after the vehicle is in operation" is the part that scares most people.
Here is a cross section of the Two Piece, Drop Center rim, as they are referred to in the shop manual:
The waring in the manual says,
CAUTION: Ring must be entirely seated around the entire cirumference of the rim. Be sure the split ends are engaged in the gutter, otherwise the will be lbown off during inflation or after the vehicle is in operation. When inflating the tire, do not stand in front of the locking ring"
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Ford did make 16" wheels with the outer snap ring. They were optional on the F-2's and standard on the F-3 Parcel Delivery's. I've seen a '56 F-250 with these type of rims. They are referred to as Semi-drop center rims in the shop manual.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,900
Likes: 3,139
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
51dueller,
I stand corrected, I wasn't looking at the section on parcel delivery trucks. My 1949-50-51 shop manual only says
Fig. 21
I didn't think it was pertinent to this subject since Bill said he had a pickup. Also since my manual is for the earlier years I would assume they might have used them in later years for the pickup or they just didn't mention that they were an option for the F-2s in my manual. I am Bonus-Built centric and don't pay much attention to the newer trucks.
I stand corrected, I wasn't looking at the section on parcel delivery trucks. My 1949-50-51 shop manual only says
"The semi-drop center rim, shown sectionally in fig. 21 is as standard equipment on the F-3 Parcel Delivery truck."
Fig. 21
I didn't think it was pertinent to this subject since Bill said he had a pickup. Also since my manual is for the earlier years I would assume they might have used them in later years for the pickup or they just didn't mention that they were an option for the F-2s in my manual. I am Bonus-Built centric and don't pay much attention to the newer trucks.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
That's OK, Bob, we are in the same boat as I am centered on the newer trucks and know little about your vintage. The important thing is that the "widow makers" were 17 and 20 inches - anything different is a more conventional split rim.
The split rims I am used to seeing were used on 14 inch and up rims - any snap ring wheel that is not 17 or 20 inches is likely OK to use. When I was a kid they were used anywhere you needed a heavy sidewall tire - no one wanted to install a 6 ply sidewall tire over the lip of a drop center rim.
You could use a sledge and some tire tools and install a tire on a split rim along side the road if you needed to - my dad used to have us kids do it on the floor of the barn. You had to be careful not to pinch the tube, but, in general, they were much easier to change than that vintage drop center tire and wheel. It was not until the radials with their 2 ply rated sidewall came out that they became obsolete.
Everybody used them on 1/2 and 1 ton trucks, trailers, and farm equipment.
The split rims I am used to seeing were used on 14 inch and up rims - any snap ring wheel that is not 17 or 20 inches is likely OK to use. When I was a kid they were used anywhere you needed a heavy sidewall tire - no one wanted to install a 6 ply sidewall tire over the lip of a drop center rim.
You could use a sledge and some tire tools and install a tire on a split rim along side the road if you needed to - my dad used to have us kids do it on the floor of the barn. You had to be careful not to pinch the tube, but, in general, they were much easier to change than that vintage drop center tire and wheel. It was not until the radials with their 2 ply rated sidewall came out that they became obsolete.
Everybody used them on 1/2 and 1 ton trucks, trailers, and farm equipment.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 100
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From: rochester n.y.
my 54 f250 pickup had 17 in.stock rims,had not been apart in many years.cut 2 tires off with a saw and still could not get the rims apart.when old timers told me they were suicide rims they went to the scrap yard. now sits on 15in.rubber
F250RED
F250RED
New User
Joined: Oct 2007
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Prime Mover
According to the shop manual the two part rims were standard equipment on F-3 through F-7 trucks.(I thought the F-7s & 8 had the same Dayton type rims) F-3s were 17", eight lug, F-4 and up 20" with five lugs.
Here is a cross section of the Two Piece, Drop Center rim, as they are referred to in the shop manual:
The waring in the manual says,
The "after the vehicle is in operation" is the part that scares most people.
Here is a cross section of the Two Piece, Drop Center rim, as they are referred to in the shop manual:
The waring in the manual says,
The "after the vehicle is in operation" is the part that scares most people.