Kelsey Hayes 16 Inch Wheels

I bought what I thought was a matched set of four 16” K-H wheels, but when I got them home and took a closer look I started to notice differences. So I spent some time with the steel wool, did some internet searching and took some pictures.

I read in one post that K-H made about 20 different kinds of wheels for Jeeps. No wonder I usually feel confused when it comes to Jeep wheels!

Here’s what I think I found out. Feel free to reply to confirm this, add to it or to offer corrections.



All 4 wheels are marked with this marking on the inside. The markings are Wheel 1 = 16 x 4.5 E ? 61 Wheel 2 = 16 x 5 K 2 51 Wheel 3 = 16 x 5 K 9 52 Wheel 4 = 16 x 5 K 4 61

So, I have one 4.5” wheel and three 5” wheels. If I’m reading the date codes correctly, I have one wheel from 1951, one from 1952 and two from 1961.



The wheel on the left is early 60's, the one on the right is early 50's. The two wheels from the early 50’s have a smooth inner wheel, the two wheels from the early 60’s have a small lip where the inner wheel meets the outer rim. Both wheels are 5"



The 16 x 5 wheels (on the right) have a small hole on the bolt flange next to one of the bolt holes, the 16 x 4.5 (on the left) does not have that hole

The two wheels from the early 50’s do not have a K-H stamped on the bolt flange, the wheels from the early 60’s do have a K-H on the bolt flange.

All wheels are riveted.

One parts list I found described the 16 x 4.5 wheels as “standard” and the 16 x 5 wheels as “heavy duty”.

 

Doug sent me this link to a thread on CJ3B with some good information on K-H wheels.

http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/index.php?showtopic=2260

 

There were many different KH wheels manufactured for jeeps.
The correct wheel is primarily dependant upon the specific Jeep model.
The particular vintage also makes a difference plus optional wheels could be installed.
There are the model / vintage standards and the related model / vintage options.

You ended up with 1 pre 1963 standard CJ wheel and 3 HD CJ / military wheels.
The standard wheel is intended for 6.00 x 16" and 6.50 x 16" tires.
The HD wheels are intended for 7.00 x 16" tires.

FYI ... KH also manufactured a late vintage 6.00" x 16" pick up wheel that was intended for 7.50 x16" tires.

 

Thanks for your reply here and for the info you posted in the 3B thread. Very helpful. Knowing that the small hole on the mounting ring is only on the HD 16" makes identifying them easier. I want to get them on everything eventually.

I have two M38A1's, a '53 and a '54. Both have 16" wheels and both have one of these wheels on them. I'm wondering where they are from?

 

As you know the wheel assembly consists of a rim and also a disk.
Is the rim rivotted onto the disk ?
Can you determine the rim width ?

 

They're riveted. Both have tires on them, but from the measuring I could do they look like 4.5".

 

Those are not Jeep wheels.

 

Okay, thanks for your reply.

 

If you need a matching wheel for your 16x5. I have two of them I would sell ya.
Send me a PM if you are interested in them.
Thanks
Jay