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.

Ron Pier · #8 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) · #9 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 · #10 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 · #11 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.

Little Jo · #12 11-10-10, 13:15

Ian/John

Thanks for the info, I am going by what I have been told over the last few weeks and I appreciate the use of the originals, my split rims are still in good nick, however tyres are shot and I am having a devil of a time trying to find tyres in Adelaide. What I have been told interstate are pretty dear and then you have tubes and freight etc. This is not making my finance minister a nice person to be around when I keep mentioning extra funds for the restoration. Hence I was told a cheaper version would be to go by using safety rims and tyres.

Cheers

Little Jo

Local Chap · #13 11-10-10, 15:26

These aren't too badly priced for brand new tyres.

The 16" Suzuki rims (2 types) are also used with tubes. It's the 15" ones that are tubeless.

Ron Pier · #14 11-10-10, 15:31

Like John I can't really see the need to replace your combat rims simply because of a tyre issue. If you can't buy the standard Jeep bar treads? Then a Land Rover tyre of the correct size (or slightly wider) will do. Even 16" car tyres would be fine. I think you would have to use modern rims to go the tubeless route however. Ron

Little Jo · #15 12-10-10, 02:53

Ron

Thank you for the info, I was not sure if there were alternative tyres I could use, the Land Rover idea sound good to me.

Cheers

Tony

Richard Coutts-Smith · #16 14-10-10, 02:04

Might be a bit far for you,

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SUZUKI-RIM-AN...item41538da0da

Rich.

Little Jo · #17 14-10-10, 11:04

Richard

That certainly fits the bill, Qld a bit far away for only one tyre. I have heard of a guy local who has bought a new ute for the farm and has no use for the Suzi, A friend is going to talk to him about a deal, it has 5 wheels with bar tread tyres, He believes they are road worthy.

Thanks for looking out for me.

Cheers

Little Jo

Jeff Gordon · #18 14-10-10, 13:46

Quote:

The combat rims were the result of trying to make tyre changing easier for soldiers

This is not actually correct.
They are ment to have a ring in the tyre that makes them a bead locker.
So the jeep could be driven with a flat tyre. That is why they are called combat rims.

Go the conbat rims, had them on my jeep for 10 years and the only problem I have had is buckles, but I made a straightener and all is good.
Jeeps look wrong with out them.

Cheers
Jeff

Little Jo · #19 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 · #20 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 · #21 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 · #22 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