I was told that my truck has split rims by my dad but he said he was just told that and doesnt know himself.
Are these split rims? Or how can I tell?

 

If I'm reading the number right on the wheel in your bottom picture, the number right by the valve stem, it says 68600. If that's right, you have a 17" x 5.5" wheel that the book says is a Firestone RH-5°. Otherwise known as a "widow maker". If I've read it wrong, please tell what the number really is, or post a different picture of it from the rear.

Also, you might do a search of my postings by clicking on my truckdog name. Not long ago I posted a picture of a WM from the back side that you can compare yours to. Stu

 

You can tell better by looking at the inside of the rim. If there is a band of metal running around the inside of the ride then you have the Widow Maker rims that most, if not all, tire shops will avoid.

Stu, truckdog62563, is the expert on rims. Do a search of his posts, I know there are a few that have pictures of the 17" WMs.

EDIT: Stu you beat me to it!

 

ah darn they are the 68600s ill have to look for some new rims. thanks alot guys

 

Heck, even I couldn't find the post that had it, so here's another pic of it. Like Bob said, you want to look at yours to see if they have a raised band on the inside. Some, like in this pic, have the wheel center riveted to it, some have the center offset. The raised band is where the two halves of the WM overlap.

Your wheels have a 6 lug x 7.25" bolt circle. These are no long made. Replacement wheels will probably be our next conversation.

 

oh joy. Where would I be able to find any? Would I need them to be custom made? Or even replace the axles?

 

Well, you might have to have them made. Unless you can do salvage yard searches and find a set that are still able to be serviced. Wheels in this size and bolt pattern were made that have what's called a "lock ring" mounting system. As the name implies, they are a solid wheel that has a separate outer ring that holds the tire in place. These can still be serviced, but require precautions to make sure they don't come flying apart like the WMs. A job for professionals.

Also made were tubeless one-piece wheels in 17.5" and 19.5" sizes. As I recall without looking it up, these were an option on 56 F-350 single rear wheel models. If somebody wants to correct me on that, or add other sources, jump in. They'll be hard to find, unless a member sees this and wants to come to your rescue.

And last is to have them made. The likely sources would be Stockton Wheel or American Wheel Specialist. Stockton has a web page that you can Google. American Wheel does not. Since you live in CA, to get to American Wheel Specialist you'd have to work through your local Les Schwab dealer. American Wheel Specialist has a contract with them and can't deal directly with customers in areas served by Schwab. That about says it. If you would, come back on and let us know what you learn from these sources if you decide to go for new. Thanks. Stu