Help With M38a1 Wheel And Tire Selection

Hello,
I'm new here and I just purchased a M38A1 from 1954. It's far from original condition, having about a 5" lift and obnoxious large off road tires which really limit the steering. On the plus side it has the original engine and drive train and the body is in excellent shape although repainted. The engine runs well and the transmission and transfer case shift well. I think it's missing a few too many original parts to do a practical restoration. My goals are to remove the suspension lift, put it on smaller tires and eventually repaint it to an original OD green.

Since I'm not doing a correct restoration I'm not going to limit myself to NDT tires. I'm shooting for a generally correct skinny tire look but I don't think the NDT tires would work well for my use of the jeep. I would like to be able to drive the jeep on the road without too much fear of losing control. Most of the roads around me are asphalt and have a speed limit of 55mph. I don't plan to do any serious off roading with the jeep but intend to do some trail riding. One other piece of information is that I may do 4 wheels on the ground recreational towing of the jeep.
Given this information, what would you recommend for tires and wheels? I see the knobby tires that fit original style wheels but I don't know if they would be a good choice. I gather the NDT tires are scary on wet asphalt so I'm thinking they are not a good choice. Might it be better to seek out some 15" wheels and get some narrow truck tires? I would like to be able to keep the full turning capability of the jeep.
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ken

 

good looking jeep! please provide more pics...what tire size is on there currently?

 

I think it looks great as it sits. NDT or similar size wouldn't look good anyways because it's raised. I have an A1 that I restored to all stock. Mine started out with a similar setup and I ended up finding a parts jeep and used the original springs and shackles. I went with NDT, OD Marine Corps paint, 24v because I just put around town and don't take it in the rain. You will find they are pretty stable in stock configuration.

Before:



After:



If you want to change the tire size, I would return it to stock height. Does it have the original Ross steering? It looks like a very nice body but you never know what's under the paint. Generally if the floor is solid and original the rest is also. Those are rare fenders and hard to find in good shape. I would put the original reflectors back on instead of those painted ones and ditch the scoop. Also, you have the battery compartment still intact +1. Post more pics if you can, engine suspension, steering.

I know you don't want to restore it but it looks like a good candidate to at least return some originality.

 

A 235/75R15 is pretty close to the stock tire size on a Jeep, and will be a much nicer riding and handling tire than the old bias plys they came with. Anywhere from a 5-7" wide wheel would be fine. I'd suggest an all terrain tire for your intended use.

 

Thanks for the replies. I definitely plan to remove the lift kit and go back to stock height . The existing tires are 33x12.50R15LT.
I haven't had a chance to measure the width of the existing rim.
I like the idea of using some narrower 15“ all terrain tires. Does anyone make a narrow 15" rim that's steel and in the general style of the original 16"?
I'll post more photos in the next couple days. The vehicle has upgraded steering, I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I have there. I would like to do away with the hood scoop but it has an aftermarket carb and air filter that's tall.
I'll have to take this project one issue at a time...

 

I would go with a 16' wheel, as original. And lose the lift.

Then a retro mud and snow tread, 7:00x16 if you want the authentic 'skinny look'.

A modern 31 x 10.5" will fit and look decent, if you don't want OEM size. They work fine on my stock '56 CJ5 F-head.

 

Thanks for the replies. Yes, it has the F head engine but I haven't searched for the serial number to see if it's original. The electrical is 12v and the carburetor is aftermarket but seems to run well. There is some sort of cabin heater installed.
I'm planning to get it on the hoist tomorrow to check fluids. While it's up there I'll get some photos of the suspension and steering.
Can anyone point me to a good source for 16 inch tires or steel 15 inch wheels?

 

That's a stock early CJ 5 heater box mounted on the passenger side. On the CJ, that was mounted on the drivers side. Never seen one mounted like that. You have the '64-up civillian spin-on oil filter there. You also have the early front fenders and hinge-mounted grill ; early features.
As far as wheels, Original 16" rims work well, or for 15's, the late '50s -up steel CJ rims are good. They can be had in 4 1/2", 5", 5 1/2", or 6" wide depending on year. You need to figure out what you want, and what is available, preferably locally.
Nice looking starting point!
-Donny

 

Looks like a very nice body.

 

For the SN, look for a protrusion at the mating surface of head and block just above the water pump top center. It should say MDXXXX but was probably removed if it was surfaced. Probably not the original engine anyway. It may be faint and try a wire brush.

 

Thanks for the replies. Interesting that the heater is an original CJ5 item. With no doors I'm not sure how much good it will do. Maybe it's better than nothing....
After reading the internet unti my eyes bled I think I'm going to go with original style 16x4.5 rims and these tires
STA Super Traxion Tread Tire 650 x 16
If I'm using new rims is it necessary to use tubes on these tires? Also does anyone have opinions on if the MD Juan or Omix-ada wheels are better?
Thanks!

 

Im running the 700-15 sta super traction on my 6. Close to what you are looking at. They grip great and so far have no complaints. I can't really speak to how they do in mud, usually doesn't rain enough here. They are lumpy bias ply so takes a little to get em warmed up. Mine are mouted on stock old 15" rims with no tubes and air up and down with no problem. Good luck!

 

Welcome from Southgate, We are close, I have a 64 CJ5. It is Up North at my cabin in Atlanta.

 

I took off big tires and wheels and put 7.50 X 15" tires with 15" X 7" wheels make all the difference in the world to your Jeep. Nice Jeep, Rick

 

It wont do any good...

 

I vote for 7 x 16 wheels and NDT tires. I have 5.5 x 15 inch wheels with military NDTs on my 1964 CJ-5 - it drives and rides just fine on and off the road. I would not recommend them for snow however. I just think it would look better with NDTs since the military body you have is in nice shape.

 

I've been looking for a set of skinny 4 1/2" wide 15" rims. I was starting to think they never made them. If anybody has a lead on a used set of the 15" skinny(s), Let me know, thanks.
.... Um, ... Doesn't that spin-on oil filter make a mess when it gets spun-off ?

 

I tend to think your engine came out of a civilian jeep- doesn't seem to have any of the M38A1 fhead engine features.

Pics of mine with the 215-85-16s. These are on stock 4.5x16 rims. These are great on pavement and acceptable off road. I have a set of NDCCs also, mounted up on A1 rims but rarely use them. Gotta admit, the NDCCs do have that "look".

 

Nice Jeep! BF Goodrich makes the new KM3 Mud Terrain in a 7.50-16 which is around a 32x7.50-16. That would be a somewhat taller/skinny tire but not so traditional. Here is mine with BFG KM3 in 30x9.50-15 on stock wheels and ride height but I think, like was said previously, they would look too small with your lift.