Jeep Wheel Spotters Guide

After the discovery/realization that my Jeep does not have the correct Renegade I Kelsey Hayes 15x8 steel wheels it is supposed to have. I decided I want to create a "spotter's guide" for all the Jeep wheels I can find pictures of. I want to put pictures along side technical drawings that clearly define the differences between the vintages of wheels.

Please post as much info as possible... I know there is another thread (or two) in here that talk about this subject, but I would like to see this one be as many confirmed posts (with pictures) as possible. I will then make CAD drawings of the wheels to clearly illustrate the differences (assuming you guys can help out with good pictures.)

I intend to collect all this info and make another page on my homepage so its in a more digestible form than a long drawn-out thread.

thanks for your help!

P.S. I haven't forgotten about the improved Renegade I wiring diagram with color codes... I am still working that one up as a CAD drawing.

 

Here's a picture of the R1 KH wheel to get you started. Good luck on the noble effort.
http://flickr.com/photos/74334622@N00/296918104/

 

Here's what I know, and I learned it here, but I ain't no expert.....

This is an 16x4.5 M38 wheel, made by Kelsey-Hayes. Note the 1/8" hole in the mounting flange next to the lug hole at the 5 o'clock position, this little hole identifes it as a military wheel (I think some 16x5 truck wheels had this hole too though). The military wheels had safety beads on the insides of the rims.

I think the CJ2A and CJ3A used wheels just like these, without the holes and safety beads. Maybe the early CJ5's & CJ3B's used them too, but I don't know. Notice how the "dish" of the center hub curves smoothly out to the rim, where it's riveted. Also notice the hub flange is flat, this identifies the Kelsey-Hayes wheel, and I believe it's usually stamped K-H.



This is an M38A1 wheel, 16x4.5. It also has the 1/8" hole in the flange & safety bead, and has the flat K-H flange. Notice how the "dish" of the center hub flattens out slightly just before it meets the rim at the riveted point. The early CJ5 wheels were like this too.



The military safety bead.....



This is another 16x4.5 early style wheel, likely a CJ2A/CJ3A. Notice the flange is not flat, this style was made by Motor Wheel. Both Motor Wheel and K-H were wheel vendors to Willys, and you'll find both kinds on old Jeeps. Appears they were both on the assembly line at any time, from what I've read. I've got four of these to put on my '56.





This is another early one, but it's a 16x5, so I think it's a truck or wagon wheel. This will be my spare, unless I find another 16x4.5.





HTH.

 

Here is a 16" solid disc rim. These were used on the prototype WWll military jeeps, civilian CJ2's, slat grills, column shifts 2A's and some civilian Bantam trailers. There are three versions, maybe 4, and they came is 4" and 4.5" wide. If you have any give a yell as I and a few buddies are always looking for some. Note no slots.

 

I figure you're only looking for Early CJ wheels, so you probably don't want this one, but here's a CJ Wheel on the later CJs.

I think someone referred to them as Hurricanes?

 

Here's some more I just collected from Ebay....

'nother one o' them disc wheels......



Another early CJ2A type K-H wheel....



Another CJ5 type K-H wheel....



And the ever elusive and always expensive WWII combat rims....

 

That disc rim is incorrect. Compare it to the one I have above.

 

Like I said, I found the pic on Ebay. It was advertised as a Jeep wheel.

 

Early scout, maybe?