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Odd wheel size: 15x5.5

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by j54mitsu, Apr 22, 2011.

  1. Apr 22, 2011
    j54mitsu

    j54mitsu Member

    Alexandria, VA
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    My J54 came with a nondirectional spare, 7.60-15, on a 15x5.5 wheel (wagon wheel design):[​IMG]

    Are 15"x5.5" wheels common? I can't find anything about them on google, and they're not in a list of factory options oldtime put up on the 3B page, so I'm guessing they are an oddball remnant of this Jeep's time in Japan.

    I've been debating a more classic look by installing NDCCs or a variant like http://www.stausaonline.com/light-truck/super-traxion.html on her. I'm wondering if I should take the time to find four 15x5.5 or if it's going to make my life easier in the short and long term to get five 16x4.5.

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2011
  2. Apr 22, 2011
    54cj3b

    54cj3b Member

    evergreen colorado
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    ford f-150 rims will fit
    you should be able to find some at a junk yard they are a very common size
     
  3. Apr 22, 2011
    Phil P

    Phil P Member

    Ottawa Canada
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    GM Trackers and Related Suzuki's Have 15x5.5 as one of there wheel sizes.
     
  4. Apr 22, 2011
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

    I live in a...
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    5.5 on a jeep have been around since forever :). 4.5 didn't come along until the non Jeep XJ and YJ years :twisted:.
     
  5. Apr 22, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    He's talking about rim width if I'm not mistaken..
     
  6. Apr 22, 2011
    Phil P

    Phil P Member

    Ottawa Canada
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    Me too rim width and lug diameter.
     
  7. Apr 22, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    I didn't see lug diameter mentioned..
     
  8. Apr 22, 2011
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    I figured bolt circle, never saw a 5.5 wide wagon style rim :?. Maybe he'll clear it up for us :). But you're probably right, this weather is affecting not only my body but apparently my brain too R).
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2011
  9. Apr 22, 2011
    madgician

    madgician New Member

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    look at tires that are on the jeep. does anybody see one that is 15" wide?
    5on5 lugbolt patern is normal on old jeeps i have 7" 8" 10" 12" 14" wide wheels on ,
    some of my jeeps.
     
  10. Apr 23, 2011
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    No, they're 5 on 5 1/2. 15" is the diameter, not the width.
     
  11. Apr 23, 2011
    j54mitsu

    j54mitsu Member

    Alexandria, VA
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    Sorry to be confusing, I was talking about rim width. Crazy, huh? (And yep, they are 5 on 5.5" lug pattern, too.)

    Sorry I didn't reply earlier, but the subscription option for this thread didn't notify me of replies.

    Here's what I know. A PO put 15x8 wheels with 30" ATs (which are the tires you see on the axles), but luckily kept the spare you see in the picture on the tailgate. I've visually checked that the spare matches a stock J54's tires.

    The tire says "7.60-15" "Made in Japan" "Bridgestone Groundgrip." I hadn't heard of 7.60-15 tires before...

    The wheel has a stamping that says "15x5.5." Perhaps I'm misinterpreting this as some production nomenclature for 15" with 5 on 5.5" lugs and that a 4.5" wheel width was assumed. It's so darn hard to measure wheel width with tires on, but the backspacing alone is 4". Does that help at all?
    Posted via Mobile Device
     
  12. Apr 23, 2011
    madgician

    madgician New Member

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    Sorry for the typo they are 5on5 1/2 i was playing with my ford F150 and it is 5on5 x16 so that is what i had on my brain (2 peas and one is squashed).
     
  13. Apr 23, 2011
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    My spare tire for my 30x9.5x15 tires is on a stock cj rim 15" diameter 5 on 5.5" lug centers. The tire is a 7.00x15 bias ply tire. Mud and Snow.

    You could get the CJ5 with either the 15" rim or 16" rim that were either 4.5 or 5 inches from bead to bead.

    The 7.60 was just one of the options available at the time. More common to have 6.50, then 7.00.

    Cool huh?
     
  14. Apr 23, 2011
    j54mitsu

    j54mitsu Member

    Alexandria, VA
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    So this means 15" diameter and 5.5" bead to bead? (This thread seems to have lots of numbers thrown around, so just double checking) Excellent lead, I'll try to see what I find here. Thanks!
     
  15. Apr 24, 2011
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Yes. The numbers are hard to understand out of context. 15"x5.5" means 15" diameter and 5.5" wide. "5 on 5.5" or "5 on 4.5" is the bolt circle, 5 lugs on a 5.5" or 4.5" diameter circle.
     
  16. Apr 25, 2011
    j54mitsu

    j54mitsu Member

    Alexandria, VA
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    Yep, Suzuki Samurais are my source. They are 15x5.5 and look almost identical http://originalwheels.com/suzuki-wheels/images/suzuki-samurai-wheels-72630.jpg

    Details for someone in future that finds this useful:
    1986-1988 Suzuki Samurai
    Wheel Part Number: #72630A
    Size: 15" x 5.5", 5 Lug, 5.5" Bolt Pattern
    Description: 8 Spoke Original Styled Steel Wheel


    Here is a handy starting point for finding wheel donors based on bolt pattern:
    http://www.damon4x4parts.com/tablas/tab/bolt.htm

    DJs apparently had 15x5.5: http://forums.off-road.com/jeep-short-wheelbase/42533-stock-cj5-wheels-tires.html and some wide track jeeps, but they are steelies/KH style---and I'm doing an 11" drum swap so they wouldn't fit over the drums.

    Thanks for you all's help!
     
  17. Apr 26, 2011
    Quill

    Quill Member

    Wisconsin
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    Looks just like my Sammy rims.
     
  18. Apr 30, 2011
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    The Samurai wheels will fit.
    Same bolt pattern and the center hole is the same.

    I have them on my Willys CJ5.

    The 30x9.5x15's are sitting in the garage waiting to be replace, because I ran across some cactus spikes that speared the sidewalls.

    Those rims are chrome 8 inch bead-to-bead, I think.
     
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