The Alexander Chapter-NRHS has been disassembling our 1935 Dodge REA truck for the past month and we expect to remove the body from the frame tomorrow. However, we have a hit a rub...

These trucks, like all of those of the era, have the two-piece "Widow Maker" rims that the 20 inch tires fit on. Is anyone aware of a source for 1 piece replacement rims that might work on this vehicle?

Thanks in advance!

Matt Bumgarner
Alexander Chapter-NRHS

Try this; I don't if he we sell the rim but here is the address and E-mail.

http://tourguidetim.com/motor-transport ... ue-trucks/


Stan

My 1941 Dodge WD-41 1-ton truck had those rims. They can be serviced by most large truck tire service centers. The road service trucks that many of those dealers use even have a cage to put the tire/rim assembly in when inflating the thing. I strongly suggest that you do not "try this at home" yourself.

I took all four wheels/tires off my truck (two at a time), took them to a truck tire place and had them demount the old tires. I then had a local monument (gravestone) place grit-blast the rims and lock rings, I painted them, and brought the rim parts, new inner tubes and tires to the truck tire dealer, and a day later had two ready to mount on the truck.

If you are restoring the truck, then restore the rims as well. Replacing the rims with "something new" is, well, you know...

Sure wish I still had that truck.... 42,500 original miles, flathead 216 cu in straight-six engine, dark green and black original paint, 9-ft bed (it was a cemetary truck near Valhalla) etc. Photo was taken in 1978 at the Hastings, NY NYC station.

Howard P.

MoPar Drive
DDCP, CT

Matt, you will probably have to go to your local truck tire dealers for help with replacements. They can help you find the right bolt pattern and rim offset.
If they can't find what you need you can have the rims reconditioned if they are not too rusted up. The rims and tires are probably old and rusted/fused together and the lock rings rust up allot.

I don,t think unless the wheels are rusted beyond repair it would be a big deal. I have changed lots of these in my time and never had one come apart. I know that it does happen and if you are not comfortable doing it take them to any good tire shop that has been in business a long time they should have what it takes to do the job.
The restoration would not be proper if other wheels are used.
Al

The "shade tree" method for safely dealing with these when no safety cage is present is to wrap a length of logging chain around the wheel and tire, passing it through the center hole or holes between the wheel plate and the rim in several places around the rim. If the locking ring unseats during initial inflation, the chain will keep the ring from flying.

I have heard of these coming apart in service, but in each case a damaged ring was reused. An awful lot of mile were run up safely with rims of this style. If they are good, it would be a shame to change them out for no good reason on something that is supposed to be a restoration.

This will probably solve itself, because we'll have to use originals! Can't find any "aftermarket" replacements anyway.

Thanks

Matt Bumgarner