15 x 8 rims with 11" drum brakes

I was doing research on rims and found a post that indicated 15 x 8 rims won't fit onto 11" drums. Does anyone know what the issue is? Is there a work around.

 

I guess I'll have to take my 15x8s off since they don't fit.

(Backspacing or offset, one of those make the difference I think.)

 

From my collection of CJ5 parts from almost 30 years ago, i have come across two styles of 15x8 steel wheels. The Kelsey Hayes wheels that came on the original Renegade has a straight profile dish just outboard of the lug area, and these work fine with 11" brakes.
Other period 15x8 rims have a rounded profile dish just outboard of the lug area, and don't work with 11" brakes. They hit the corner of the brake drum just as the lugs try to take up, leaving about 3/16" or less gap where the rim should seat on the face of the drum. They fit fine with 10" drums. Way back in the day, I was baffled why the rims from one of my CJ5s wouldn't fit the other CJ5, which happened to be a Tuxedo Park with 11" brakes.
-Donny

 

I'm running 15' X 8's on my 3B now with 11' brakes, I don't think they are KH wheels. I'm guessing they are from a Ford.

 

11 feet is a big ole drum


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I have 11" drums (without fins) from a mid-70s CJ5 on my CJ2A. The 15X7" wagon wheels I have on it fit just fine, as do the original 16X4.5 rims.

 

15x8's with 11" brakes here as well. No clearance issues, but I have aftermarket chrome wheels.

 

From what I recall, this is an issue exclusively with some of the 15x8 steel factory wheels from before '72. Any '72-on wheels have to fit, because these Jeeps came from the factory with 11" brakes.

Note there are two Bendix 11" brake drum styles - plain (early, like '72-73) and finned (like '74-on). Some wheels may not fit over the finned drums.

Looks like all aftermarket wheels, except maybe some K-H from ca 1970, will fit. I recall we were selling Jeeps in 1973 with aftermarket 8" steel wheels (likely K-H), so I expect K-H and any other wheel builders had updated their design by this time to be compatible with the bigger brakes.

 

Riveted 15 inch wheels have this issue clearing 11 inch drums.

(I remembered what I was trying to remember earlier!)