The Ford Barn

corvette8n · 05-02-2024, 12:24 PM

It’s on a ‘33 BB truck, I’m just trying to figure out what to look for.

51504bat · 05-02-2024, 12:38 PM

IIRC the bolt pattern for Ford big trucks changed after 1934. If that's the case, then no, it's not a widow maker wheel. But over on the Ford Truck Exchange there is a member Stu who goes by truckdog 62563 who can tell you for sure.

Newc · 05-02-2024, 01:38 PM

External locking rings are still being used. When the wheel rim is split [in the middle of the circle], those use a 'widow maker' locking ring. Right? I have 2 of those on an old farm trailer. Newc

51504bat · 05-02-2024, 02:59 PM

The Firestone RH-5° wheels (widow makers aren't the same bolt pattern as a '33 BB

truckdog62563 · 05-02-2024, 03:55 PM

The Firestone RH-5° wasn’t brought to the market until 1948. They actually called it the “Advanced Design” rim. The pre 1934 wheels have a 5 x 6 7/8” bolt pattern. Stu

Flathead Fever · 05-02-2024, 04:19 PM

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I was a phone company mechanic. We had three-piece rims on 1970s F600 4x4s at work. The Tire shops refused to work on them because they claimed they were "widow makers". So, we changed those tires ourselves, I don't think they were widow makers. Anything out of the normal two-piece split rim and the tire shops wanted to sell you a new rim.

Here a YouTube on them

https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/201...-is-known.html

05-02-2024, 12:38 PM	#2
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,043	Re: Is this a widow maker wheel? IIRC the bolt pattern for Ford big trucks changed after 1934. If that's the case, then no, it's not a widow maker wheel. But over on the Ford Truck Exchange there is a member Stu who goes by truckdog 62563 who can tell you for sure. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

05-02-2024, 01:38 PM	#3
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,513	Re: Is this a widow maker wheel? External locking rings are still being used. When the wheel rim is split [in the middle of the circle], those use a 'widow maker' locking ring. Right? I have 2 of those on an old farm trailer. Newc

05-02-2024, 02:59 PM	#4
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,043	Re: Is this a widow maker wheel? The Firestone RH-5° wheels (widow makers aren't the same bolt pattern as a '33 BB __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

05-02-2024, 03:55 PM	#5
truckdog62563 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester, Il Posts: 602	Re: Is this a widow maker wheel? The Firestone RH-5° wasn’t brought to the market until 1948. They actually called it the “Advanced Design” rim. The pre 1934 wheels have a 5 x 6 7/8” bolt pattern. Stu __________________ Stu McMillan Marmon-Herringtons

05-02-2024, 04:19 PM	#6
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,101	Re: Is this a widow maker wheel? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I was a phone company mechanic. We had three-piece rims on 1970s F600 4x4s at work. The Tire shops refused to work on them because they claimed they were "widow makers". So, we changed those tires ourselves, I don't think they were widow makers. Anything out of the normal two-piece split rim and the tire shops wanted to sell you a new rim. Here a YouTube on them https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/201...-is-known.html