sparg91 Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 Looking for some split ring wheels to replace widow makers on my 1946 WF32. Truck has 20” - 5 lug pattern. Any ideas on possible ways to resolve issue by purchasing a more common wheel size is also appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashBuddy Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 I thought split rings were widow makers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Los_Control Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 2 hours ago, FlashBuddy said: I thought split rings were widow makers? A true widow maker is a 2 piece wheel, where the connection is in the middle. very difficult to tell if it is installed properly until it comes apart. A split ring is a 1 piece wheel with a locking ring to hold the bead on. Split rings are used on modern trucks today. As long as they are in good condition, easy to visually inspect to determine they are installed properly before airing up. They also can kill you, if you are careless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kencombs Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 31 minutes ago, Los_Control said: A true widow maker is a 2 piece wheel, where the connection is in the middle. very difficult to tell if it is installed properly until it comes apart. A split ring is a 1 piece wheel with a locking ring to hold the bead on. Split rings are used on modern trucks today. As long as they are in good condition, easy to visually inspect to determine they are installed properly before airing up. They also can kill you, if you are careless. Yep, split rings are OK. IF, the ring hasn't been deformed by mistreatment in the past and the groove it seats into is rust-free. But, I still use utmost caution when airing, either on the truck with the ring side in or in a cage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Los_Control Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, kencombs said: I still use utmost caution when airing, either on the truck with the ring side in or in a cage. yup, if you get in a hurry you can get dead quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Stephenson Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 57 minutes ago, Los_Control said: A true widow maker is a 2 piece wheel, where the connection is in the middle. very difficult to tell if it is installed properly until it comes apart. A split ring is a 1 piece wheel with a locking ring to hold the bead on. Split rings are used on modern trucks today. As long as they are in good condition, easy to visually inspect to determine they are installed properly before airing up. They also can kill you, if you are careless. I agree 100%. Charlie Stephenson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparg91 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 Definitely agree! Tough thing is finding a split ring “Budd” 20” wheel in a 5 lug pattern. I have a tire shop near me that services semi truck tires. The split ring is no big deal at all. Just can’t find any that fit my WF32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kencombs Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 55 minutes ago, sparg91 said: Definitely agree! Tough thing is finding a split ring “Budd” 20” wheel in a 5 lug pattern. I have a tire shop near me that services semi truck tires. The split ring is no big deal at all. Just can’t find any that fit my WF32 About the hole pattern: If you have a machine shop nearby with a CNC mill it is fairly simple to make new holes precisely. My grandson has done some for me. Unfortunately (for me) he now works in a shop that doesn't allow employees to do such things. The machines he's used all come with some standard software that includes controls for holes on a circle x degrees apart. The operator locates the wheel, inputs the circle radius and degrees of seperation. mount the tools. Hit start. quick and easy. So if you can find the right size/style wheel, a new set of holes is possible.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsartain Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 Just curious, I have a 94 Pace Arrow motor home that has a 19.5 inch rim. It uses the same rime all the way around, drive axle, tag axle, and front axles. They are a 10 hole rim but for the front end only 5 lugs are used. I have to wonder of this is workable for your application? The GM P30 chassis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted September 15, 2019 Report Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) 11 hours ago, FlashBuddy said: I thought split rings were widow makers? Old Fords used the "Widow Maker" wheels...Dodge used the safer, easier to service "Split Side Ring" wheels... Pics... Edited September 15, 2019 by Dodgeb4ya spelling 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ram Man 02 Posted September 16, 2019 Report Share Posted September 16, 2019 12 hours ago, johnsartain said: Just curious, I have a 94 Pace Arrow motor home that has a 19.5 inch rim. It uses the same rime all the way around, drive axle, tag axle, and front axles. They are a 10 hole rim but for the front end only 5 lugs are used. I have to wonder of this is workable for your application? The GM P30 chassis. I was just going to suggest these wheels. company were i used to work had a c3500HD chevy bucket truck which im guessing is the same frame. i just looked up the specs on those wheels. they are 19.5" x 6". the bolt pattern is 10 x 7.25". and the center bore is 5.25". the wheel stud is 5/8" there are other 10 bolt wheels out there on f550's ,ect that probably have different bolt patterns. ive even seen f550s with aluminum wheels if you wanted a touch of modern look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBF Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 Depepending on your drum size, the 19.5’s may not fit over the drum on the inner rears since they’re drop centers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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