Widow Maker Rims

Absolutely, you are lucky to be here to tell the story. Glad you're ok. There are too many similar stories. Last year I sold a set of tubeless replacement wheels to a guy who told me he'd just bought his truck, and as he was loading it on the trailer to haul it home it blew an inner dual widow maker. His first act was to find safer wheels. Stu
 
Thinking about the split rim wheel, I played a cruel trick on an older fellow worker. He was always playing little tricks on me that he thought was funny. One day he was putting air in a truck tire under the hoist and I was cleaning the tools on the work bench. He was watching the wheel very closely as he inflated it. I took a ball peen hammer and slammed the other end of the hoist. He threw the air hose straight in the air and yelled out loud. If looks could kill...I never apologized and he never played any tricks on me again.
 
truckdog62563 said:
There are two of the 17.5s listed. One you don't want because it is Chevy with hub cap clips. Won't work for your caps, and likely has too small a center hole to clear your rear hub. The second wheel is hard to see whether it has clips or the raised nubs molded into the center disc like you need. You'd have to quiz the seller. Stu
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Here is a single 17.5 listed on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111016808669

I suppose could source them one at a time since I have not heard back from the Fla fella yet..
 
That one is for a Chevy. Hub cap clips won't work for you, and center hole too small to clear your rear hub. Keep looking. Stu
 
Brien - I've emailed a friend who I've known to have his eyes open for these wheels over the years. He's replied that he doesn't have any right now, but will check his yard sources to see what he can find. I asked him to check on all three options - the stock 16" F-2/F-250 wheels, the 17.5s, and the 19.5s. What we'll need to know, however, before thinking in terms of the 16s is whether you have the early 1951 14" rear drums, or late 1951 12" rear drums. Please check that if you would so that when he gets back to me, if that's what he's found, I'll know whether to refer you to him. Thanks. Stu
 
truckdog62563 said:
Brien - I've emailed a friend who I've known to have his eyes open for these wheels over the years. He's replied that he doesn't have any right now, but will check his yard sources to see what he can find. I asked him to check on all three options - the stock 16" F-2/F-250 wheels, the 17.5s, and the 19.5s. What we'll need to know, however, before thinking in terms of the 16s is whether you have the early 1951 14" rear drums, or late 1951 12" rear drums. Please check that if you would so that when he gets back to me, if that's what he's found, I'll know whether to refer you to him. Thanks. Stu
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Sure Stu.. I will know tomorrow. You have been a great help to me...Thanks again..Brien
 
Try this wrecking yard. "TAV8CarsNParts" <TAV8CarsNParts@aol.com>
I got a spare set of 17" 5 lug wheels from them about 8 years ago. They had a good quantity of large truck parts at that time.
 
Well, that eliminates the 16" F-2/F-250 wheels. They won't clear your rear drums. But you still have the 17.5s and 19.5s to focus on. Assuming you still haven't heard from the guy with the 19.5s, which says he's not serious, there are the below two 17.5s that look correct for you.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151002291451?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The only hesitation I'd have is that these wheels still have their tires mounted. A couple years ago I had a pair of 17.5s that held air and that I used to move parts trucks around in the barn. A guy, like yourself, needed them so I had the tires removed intending to pass them on to him. What I found was that both had severe inner rust that wasn't detectable with the tires mounted. I ended up junking both. This is one of the unforeseen issues that can be encountered when dealing with old stuff like this. Stu

Edit - my buddy just got back to me and told me his yard sources have turned up nothing. Stu
 
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truckdog62563 said:
Well, that eliminates the 16" F-2/F-250 wheels. They won't clear your rear drums. But you still have the 17.5s and 19.5s to focus on. Assuming you still haven't heard from the guy with the 19.5s, which says he's not serious, there are the below two 17.5s that look correct for you.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151002291451?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The only hesitation I'd have is that these wheels still have their tires mounted. A couple years ago I had a pair of 17.5s that held air and that I used to move parts trucks around in the barn. A guy, like yourself, needed them so I had the tires removed intending to pass them on to him. What I found was that both had severe inner rust that wasn't detectable with the tires mounted. I ended up junking both. This is one of the unforeseen issues that can be encountered when dealing with old stuff like this. Stu

Edit - my buddy just got back to me and told me his yard sources have turned up nothing. Stu
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Thanks Again Stu..I messaged the fellow about the rim's condition under the tires. I also asked him if he could remove the tires since I was only interested in the rims, and it would be cheaper to ship them anyway. I'll keep you advised.
 
As a another source, I texted another buddy today asking that he keep an eye open for these next time he goes out to his favorite yard. It's a big yard that holds promise, but might not be a right away solution. Stu
 
Bump. My buddy texted me back that he's found a couple, but has to see if he can get the guy to turn loose of them. They aren't in the yard, are on a cutoff pickup box trailer. These with the eBay pair and your spare would set you up. Stay tuned. Stu
 
Brien - you must be living right! Just moments ago I got a private message over on the FTE board from another of the guys that keeps his eyes open for these wheels. He's found today, and bought, a full set of 17.5" Budd #73240 wheels like you need, in good shape, with the tires already pulled. I've suggested that he drop in here to comment. Hopefully you two can work out a deal. Stu
 
truckdog62563 said:
Brien - you must be living right! Just moments ago I got a private message over on the FTE board from another of the guys that keeps his eyes open for these wheels. He's found today, and bought, a full set of 17.5" Budd #73240 wheels like you need, in good shape, with the tires already pulled. I've suggested that he drop in here to comment. Hopefully you two can work out a deal. Stu
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I would like that even though I bought those two rusty rims for only $50. for both. This is a third one for sale:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111016810061?item=111016810061&frommaketrack=true&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

I am still open to buying 4 good ones...
 
truckdog62563 said:
Bump. My buddy texted me back that he's found a couple, but has to see if he can get the guy to turn loose of them. They aren't in the yard, are on a cutoff pickup box trailer. These with the eBay pair and your spare would set you up. Stay tuned. Stu
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Yes I am tuned..Thanks for all of your efforts Stu You are a great guy to help me in the way you have done here. Thanks again.
 
Here's pictures of the wheels my friend Doug (user name "opkomdalen" on FTE) found yesterday. I suggested he drop by here and look you up, but suspect he's not a member. If need be I can get his email or phone for you. I also texted my friend Mark and told him to sit on the trailer wheels for now.

BTW, there are two wheels that match the description, one is this #73240 and the other is #70720. I've had both and they look identical. The #73240 is a slightly more recent wheel. If you look at the back/concave side of you own 17.5" you'll find one of those numbers along the raised area that is the drop center. Stu

ophomdalens73240s_zps39e60c2c.jpg

ophomdalens73240s2_zpsd4ce462a.jpg

ophomdalens73240s3_zpsff2aaa99.jpg
 
Thank you Stu I would be more than happy to talk to Doug via email or phone. My toll free is 800-774-7971 9 am - 9pm Eastern Time...
 
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