7.5 x 20 tires on Widow Maker Rims?

modirt · Jul 17, 2019

Have a contraption that someday will need a new set of tires. Existing tires are holding air, but are not long for this world.

Called my local tire shop and they quoted me about $250 each for tires and tubes installed. That was until I mentioned they were on the split rims. I believe they are referred to as the "Widow Makers".

Tire shop ended it there saying they no longer had a cage for those and would not touch em, nor would anybody else locally.

Is this an easy fix to find new tubeless rims and tires to match?

fixerupper · Jul 17, 2019

Salvage yards should have tubeless rims to fit whatever vehicle those split rims came off of. Finding a tubeless rim that narrow might be a little more of a challenge but nowhere near impossible unless the rims are off some military vehicle or trailer. I have a one ton military trailer with split rims with an uncommon bolt pattern. The tires are still good but when it comes time to change tires I might have to put another axle under it unless I can find hubs that will fit that axle.

john in la · Jul 17, 2019

If you have split rims you should cut them in half with a torch to prevent others from using them.
They are that dangerous.

If you have lock ring rims that some call split rims you can still find some tire shops to work on them but that is getting harder and harder each year.

You have several options depending on if you have Budd or Dayton rims and what bolt pattern you have.

Find a school bus salvage yard.
Change to new tubeless 22.5 rims with low profile tires.
And others.

CJinMI · Jul 17, 2019

Do you have true "widow maker" or a locking ring
(split rim)? Big difference. Search on here, been discussed
many times or google, look at charts w/ pics.
Split rim is still used and a truck tire shop will do them.

CJinMI · Jul 17, 2019

Should read lock ring in last sentence.
Sorry I was typing while John replied.

fastfarmall · Jul 17, 2019

I seen one come off,in a cage,wow that sounded like a shotgun! Nobody got hurt.

JOCCO · Jul 17, 2019

Others have well covered it (do be carful with them) but new rims or rims and tires will get you out of rust issues with the old ones.

504 · Jul 17, 2019

Best Drive in Palmyra MO, Johnnies in Ewing MO both will change split rims. We need pictures to know what you
have.

JMOR · Jul 17, 2019

so true....too many people don't know the difference. Split rims haven't been made since early '70s.

caterpillar guy · Jul 18, 2019

What is the big deal just bolt the wheel on the hub backwards so the side that can come off will go towards the hub not dangerous at all that way. No cage needed either. I do the ones that have lock rings on the side and the ones that split in the middle. I've never had a problem though I don't pry them till they get out of shape. Some of them are now in the 50-80 year old range. Some of them had cotton tires we have taken off the rim or wheel.
You can also take the wheel bearings or the numbers in to a good truck parts house and find a conversion to Budd or hub piloted wheels and hubs for your axle too. You will need both the bearing and race numbers for the conversion as they want the diameters to compare for fitment.

modirt · Jul 18, 2019

(quoted from post at 09:53:17 07/17/19) Do you have true "widow maker" or a locking ring
(split rim)? Big difference. Search on here, been discussed
many times or google, look at charts w/ pics.
Split rim is still used and a truck tire shop will do them.

Thanks for the replies. I'll post a picture of them.....probably Sat AM.

If it turns out these are the WM's, (this thing dates back to early 70's), I'd be inclined to look for a new axle. One with modern rims with decent tires already mounted on them. Maybe 2 speed axle with disk brakes?

Anybody know where to get one from salvage? For those in the midwest, anybody know anything about the truck salvage place in West Quincy?

Also, if shopping salvage yards, what should I expect to pay for such an axle?

notjustair · Jul 18, 2019

I still change mine here on the farm as needed since they quit doing them in town. I?ve got four trucks
with them and they all have pretty good tires on them but I do have to fix flats every so often. When I do
them I wire brush them good (all are in good shape anyway) and when I air them up I wrap a chain
around them through each rim hole and around the tire all of the way around, put the locking air chuck
on them soo don?t have to stand close, and put the bucket of the front loader over the top of them so it is
just above the rim (out on the gravel drive). I?ve never seen one come apart so I am sure I am living
ignorantly, but I sure can?t take all of those trucks out of service. I just have to be real careful. The
chances of an accident each day here in the farm are huge so I guess I gamble and work as safe as I
can!

modirt · Jul 19, 2019

As promised, photos of the rims. Pretty sure they are of the WM type. These in a 6 hole bolt pattern.

Also included is the ID plate off the axle. As near as I can tell, the F106 axle was common to the Fords in the 2 ton medium duty sizes. Am I reading that right as a 6.1 rear end ratio?

So.......what can I use for replacement rims......or......what should I be looking at for a replacement axle?

And where would I be looking? Junk yards, no doubt, but for something like this......where within range of central MO? Feel free to name names. I have no idea where to start.

7.5 x 20 tires on Widow Maker Rims?

modirt

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fixerupper

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john in la

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CJinMI

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CJinMI

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fastfarmall

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JOCCO

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504

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JMOR

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caterpillar guy

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modirt

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notjustair

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modirt

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