Replacement rims for a 1942 MB Willys jeep

Richard Coutts-Smith · #1 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 · #2 10-10-10, 16:47

Any pictures of these suzuki rims?

Little Jo · #3 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 · #4 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 · #5 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.

Ron Pier · #6 11-10-10, 10:03

As Lynn says the very early Jeeps had the one piece rim as do the much more readily available post war Hotchkis rims. The wartime American Jeep trailer also had combat rims fitted. Ron

Blackpowder44 (RIP) · #7 11-10-10, 10:34

I cannot understand why you would want any other rims than the split rims you already have. I have driven my jeeps for the last 30 years on their original split rims and have been to France, Holland Belgium Germany and I have no idea why you think that a set of modern steel wheels would give you a better ride. Its the suspension that dictates the type of ride not the wheel rims.John.

Little Jo · #8 11-10-10, 10:35

Ron/Richard/Lynn

Hey Guys

Thank you for the information, I was not aware of the early models being one piece, I feel more confident to go ahead now, I was worried about the puritans who almost have a fit if you deviate from anything but the original. I feel safety rims are better and no need for tubes.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Little Jo

Ian Fawbert · #9 11-10-10, 13:01

Hi Tony,

If you want to go that route, try to either find the early solid rims- if you do though, you would be very lucky and probably get heckled by those who know their value and rarity, OR get 5 australian #4 trailer tyre rims. these are 1 piece (very similar to the early prototype and slatgrill MB jeep rims, but a slightly different profile of the 'dish' part). They will look alot more original than the suzuki rims and probably be cheaper than the early jeep rims.

I also agree though, combat rims are fine- i havent heard of them having any problems. If they are just as sound as a solid rim you want to put on (ie no rust, not bent, not flogged at stud holes), they will give no problems.

Ian.