B-4-KA Rims

[rustrunner]

What is the correct rim for a 53 B-4-KA??

 

Mine has 20" split Ring on the back (all 4)  and 20" split Rim on the front.  I thought all Dodge's were split Ring, and not the split  Rim's, where the rim splits in the center.  I would much rather deal with Split Ring.

 

Thanks

[Dodgeb4ya]

Pictures would help.... Side ring is used on Dodge for most all 1 through 2-1/2 ton trucks with 5 and 6 bolt mounting.. Gm and ford use center split widow maker rims.

[MBF]

I'm assuming that if they were built with the widow makers that were replaced over the life of the truck with the locking ring style as tire dealers began to phase them out.  My JA has all 6 as locking ring style and some are newer than the others.   Mike

[rustrunner]

Thanks, the front 2 are the center split widow makers, (which I call Split Rim) that I think I will replace.

 

Gives me the information I need to continue on - What a great resource to have for my first Dodge restore.

 

Dan

[Dodgeb4ya]

Yes, I'd get rid of those non stock Rh-5 center split rims and go back to the factory lock ring type. Much safer to run as long as they are not tweaked or rusty.

[DJ194950]

Personally I'd never ever run a center split rim on anything!!

In the early 70's I worked at at tire store, the owner allowed us to sell them tires and mount them, but not put aire into them period!

Several years later I worked for an equip. rental co. that had a GM 1-1/2 t. truck with split centers all the way arround. I told the owner of my experiece and had heard DOT had ruled them unsafe and illegal.

The owner of the co. did not listen., Several months later the driver of the truck going on 50-55mph loaded ,(maxed out with the small v-8) on the interstate when then front rim separated and off he went  over the imbankment and ended upside down and trapped.

Luckily he only had some some bruizes and a broken arm!!

 

Change them before driveing on the road. Please.

 

Doug

[MBF]

I agree, replace them when you can.  My local truck tire dealer has been in business for years(2nd generation), and will still mount them and air them up after he looks each one over.  He told me earlier this year that he can pretty much tell by inspecting the rim sections and centers whether or not they're going to cause a problem.  Another thought is to look for a set of the 22.5 tubeless rims in the 5 lug pattern(not GM-they are different).  I think the tubeless 19.5's that are used on IH school buses will fit your bolt pattern, but I'm not sure if there will be clearance issues with the brake drums.

[Dodgeb4ya]

His truck is a six lug pattern-heavy duty 2-1/2 tonner. Stock factory split side ring rims are totally safe if not damaged or  rusty.

I assume everyone is talking about the RH-5 center split Firestone wheels that have caused all the dangerous issues.

Bob

[JBNeal]

I have dismounted a set of B1D rims to chunk the old hard tires & tubes that shelled off their valve stems.  I'm about to sand blast these rims in preparation for painting, but y'all got my attention with the comments about rust on the rings.  So what is problematic rust on these lock ring wheels?  If the rust is scaly within the groove, then it's time for replacement?  So far, the only scaly rust I've seen is around the valve stem hole, and the ring grooves have surface rust.

[Dodgeb4ya]

 Once sandblasted you will be able to see what the steel surface looks like. Really Deep pitting and or rust swelling by the rivits could cause a need for futher concern. Sounds like your rims are probably good.

[MBF]

Clean the grooves as well as the lip on the rings and look them over very carefully.  If you can put the rings on the rim w/o a tool to pry them on the rings are distorted and shouldn't be used.  To be safe, have a truck tire person look them over and do the mounting/inflation in a cage.

[rustrunner]

Have the Four Dodge Rims sand Blasted and I have had (What I consider) a very reliable Tire man (Second generation, been in business for 60+ years) look them over.

 

All 4 are fine from a ring/rim standpoint, One has a badly rusted spot on the center, but we will mount a tire on all four so we can move the frame/truck around, and then see what we can purchase.  Will be going to look 4 used rims local next week.

 

I am glad we planed over a year for this rebuild