Replacement rims for a 1942 MB Willys jeep

Little Jo · #1 10-10-10, 02:47

Hi All

I am currently restoring my 1942 MB Willys Jeep and was wondering when the froject is finished, if it was possible to use alternative safety rim wheels and tyres, for local driving on hard roads, this should give a smoother ride. I could then only use my original split rim wheels on club and off road events.

Does anyone out there know what other vehicle rims and tyres would fit my origing hubs and stud patern. I am also interested in any comments from anyone who may have already done this.

Cheers

Little Jo

Matt Baker · #2 10-10-10, 04:51

Gday Little Jo,
I do believe that Suzuki sierra rims have the same stud pattern as the wartime jeep.

Cheers Matt Baker.

Richard Coutts-Smith · #3 10-10-10, 06:27

Yep, Suzuki rims are the way to go, quite a lot of jeeps around here use them with no problems whatsoever, in all reality they are probably a better rim, and cheaper...
Rich.

nelson84 · #4 10-10-10, 16:47

Any pictures of these suzuki rims?

Little Jo · #5 11-10-10, 03:23

Matt and Richard

Thank you both for the prompt reply and advice, I will start hunting around the wreckers and see what I can find. One quick question, are the Suzuki rims, 16 inch Rims and would they pass the Road Trafic inspection for Club Rego, or should I put the old rims back on for that.

Cheers

Little Jo

Richard Coutts-Smith · #6 11-10-10, 04:33

Little Jo,
we have had no problems over here with Club rego, the rims look like the Jeep rim, just lack of the bolts holding the rims together, I know that there have been Jeep owners that have not even known the rims were not original. I believe the Jeep trailer rims were one peice anyway?
(We are talking the early plain jane Suzuki rims, eg LJ 80, Sierra. Not the latter fancy or Sunraysia type)
Rich.

Lynn Eades · #7 11-10-10, 08:17

The early contract military Jeeps had one piece wheels anyhow. The combat rims were the result of trying to make tyre changing easier for soldiers who most of, knew more about horses than wheeled vehicles.
The early Suzuki rims were very much the same except for the extra hole in them for adjusting the brakes.(After all, they were a Jeep copy anyway) Some early Fords (post war) had 16" wheels with the same stud pattern. I have been the owner of the ford marked wheels. Don't ask what they were off. I don't know.

Little Jo · #8 03-11-10, 02:04

Hi All

After some deliberation and fantastic advise from you guys on the forum, I have decided I will stick with my "Combat Rims", the main reason was the difficulty in obtaining new cross bar tread tyres. I have with the assistance of a mate now overcome this hiccup and I should be able to obtain a new set of tyres soon.

The restoration project of my 1942 MB willys Jeep is coming along nicely and I have started to put it back together again and do some painting. I am going with the desert colour theme. I have attached some photos to show where I am up to at this time. It is a great feeling to see it all coming together again.

Cheers

Little Jo

Richard Coutts-Smith · #9 03-11-10, 03:17

If you leave it at Bobs place too long you may find it turned into "Little Phoenix".
Looks and sounds like you are enjoying the project.
Rich.

ozm29c · #10 03-11-10, 09:38

Little Joe,
I believe that this company in Moree (just up the road from me);
AG tyres Wholesale
Ph 1800 028 988
were importing 6-00-16 Bar treads. Might be worth a call to see who their retailers are down your way.
Cheers
John W.

Little Jo · #11 03-11-10, 09:49

Richard

Yeh I got the tub back home now, Though the project is like a Phoenix, from a complete Jeep to a stripped down pile of, "as my wife said", scrap metal, and now rising up again. It certainly is enjoyable work, until something goes wrong.!

John

Thanks for the contact, I will follow up with them.

Cheers Guys

Little Jo