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15" vs. 16" wheels
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markcl52 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 07 June 2018 at 4:05pm
I have a fairly unmolested 1948 Cj2a. It has 15" wheels which I am certain were original (I read that 15" wheels were an option for these jeeps). 

I need to buy new tires but I am wondering if I should take the opportunity now to switch over to 16" wheels before spending a good chunk of change on new rubber. The reasons for considering a switch are that I may want to upgrade to 11" drums or disk brakes in the future and I am not sure the 15" wheels will fit. Also, since I am sticking with a skinny tire (have not yet decided NDT or Super Traction style), there seems to be more options for a 16" rim. The reasons for keeping the 15" rims would be that they are in fairly good shape, I already have them, and they were original to the Jeep. Any thoughts before I spend $700-800 on a new set of tires?  
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My '48 has newish 16" rims and NDTs.  I like the look and slightly taller tire.  That helps lower RPM slightly compared to the 15"s.  I just did the 11" brake upgrade and the 16"s provide plenty of room.
1948 CJ2A - It goes nowhere fast, but anywhere slow.
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Bill2A View Drop Down
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I agree that now is the time to decide.
Maybe someone can say if 15s clear the 11 inch brakes or not.
That may or may not be a reason to change.
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Bruce W View Drop Down
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  The 15 inch wheels were indeed an option, but they came with 7.00 15 tires, so the overall height and circumference (and final drive ratio) remained the same as the 6.00 16's.
  I'm pretty sure that the 15" wheels will clear the 11" drums, but not discs.  BW
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Originally posted by Bruce W Bruce W wrote:

  The 15 inch wheels were indeed an option, but they came with 7.00 15 tires, so the overall height and circumference (and final drive ratio) remained the same as the 6.00 16's.
  I'm pretty sure that the 15" wheels will clear the 11" drums, but not discs.  BW

7.00-15 should be ~29” tall while 6.00-16 should be ~28” tall. Close but not the same.

And the 11” brakes should clear 15s.
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Well, here are a few data points for you: This combination works well on my 1959 Ford F100 with 11" brakes & 15" rims. It is all stock.

It works well on my cousins CJ-5, 11" brakes & 15" rims.

Heck, my DJ-5C has 11" brakes & 14" rims, again all stock.

IHTH, Capt Logger.
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If you buy new production drums they hit the 15 inch webbing. You have to add 1/2 inch spacers and longer studs to clear. Wrongway just went through this. 

No problems with 16's. 

NDT and NDCC of which I run both, are cool looking, but are a disaster on slick roads and ice, hard packed snow. The NDCC rides better.

215-85 R16's are the closest radial. I have those too. Most are E rated and pretty stiff. 

The 11 inch original pickup brake drums are excellent and just clear 15 inch rims. I run those too. I love them. Wink
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Points: 286 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote markcl52 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 June 2018 at 4:41pm
Thanks for all the feedback. I have been seeing a few recent posts about the 11" brake upgrade and it seems to be a big enough improvement that maybe I won't need discs (it only goes 45 mph after all). The only thing still making me hesitant to stick with 15's is that I really like the look of the 16" STA Traxions. The tread on the 15" is different and less aggressive looking (in the pictures I see on the web). Here is a picture of the 16" tread 




and the less cool looking version in 15"
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Mark,

I have the 16" Super Traction on our 1946 trail Jeep.  They are GREAT.  We also have the Geo Tracker disc brake upgrade - also great.   All three of the Jeeps in the photo have Super Traction 16"  see how well the hold the Jeeps on the side of the photo (actually can figure out how to turn the view 90 degrees)
Stev
1946 CJ2A Trail Jeep (The Saint), 1948 CJ2A Lefty Restored
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650-16's w/11" drums on my 3A project. I run the same setup on my M38 w/no complaints.


Edited by RICKG - 08 June 2018 at 5:16pm
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I put 11" brakes on my 48 with 15" wheels and had a problem with the webbing on the drums hitting the rims and had to flatten out the part the hit. Didn't think to put a spacer in. The bad part is if I get a flat on the front I wouldn't have a spare tire. The guy I got the brake setup said it would fit.
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15" wheels were one of the "recommended" options when using the Jeep for farm work.  They were used when Willys submitted the 3a for the Nebraska Tractor Test.  I have never seen an explanation of why the 700x15 was preferred size and would like to know.

Barry 
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The 7.00 x 15 tires were wider than the 6.00 x 16 but the same height. More flotation but the speedometer would still be accurate.


Edit wheel size


Edited by Bob W - 09 June 2018 at 1:02pm
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Originally posted by Bob W Bob W wrote:

The 7.00 x 15 tires were wider than the 6.00 x 15 but the same height. More flotation but the speedometer would still be accurate.

I was thinking of the 15" vs the standard 16" wheel.  Would a 7.00 x 16 have worked as well?
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Originally posted by lhfarmbt lhfarmbt wrote:

Originally posted by Bob W Bob W wrote:

The 7.00 x 15 tires were wider than the 6.00 x 15 but the same height. More flotation but the speedometer would still be accurate.

I was thinking of the 15" vs the standard 16" wheel.  Would a 7.00 x 16 have worked as well?

Probably, but 7.00x16's were not an original option.  Additionally, this would have robbed the engine of power and would have thrown off the speedometer.
1- 1946 CJ2A   
2- 1949 CJ3A
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Originally posted by athawk11 athawk11 wrote:

Additionally, this would have robbed the engine of power and would have thrown off the speedometer.

I’m sure this is true mechanically and mathematically, but speaking practically, I’ve been running 7.00x16s since I got my rig moving. I don’t ever remember not having enough power except when trying to go 60mph down the pavement.

Trail sample:
Stan
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I've always found the early BW speedometer gear sets to be most accurate with tires near 30 " tall.
So tires in the 6.50 x 16 range tend to be rather accurate concerning speedometer calibration

Say Stan, I have a couple unrelated questions  concerning 7.00 x 16 tires and I'd like your input....
Where's your best post on Granpas Jeep so I can drill you about those tires ? Ha Ha Ha !Smile


Edited by oldtime - 09 June 2018 at 3:48pm
Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
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Heck Stan I'll just ask you right here... 
Are you running STA's ?
Obviously your rear axle has been stuffed all the way up to the axle bumpers right ?
So are you getting any tire scrubbing on the rear inner wheel house ?
Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963)
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