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15" vs 16" Wheels |
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John Cotner 
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Joined: 11 Sep. 2014 Location: New Ulm, MN Status: Offline Points: 355 |
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 Topic: 15" vs 16" WheelsPosted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 10:42am |
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I've got 15" wheels on my '46 CJ2a, and am looking for another one for a spare. It seems 16" wheels are much more common. Is there any reason 16" wheels are more desirable than 15"? Would there be a practical reason to go from 15" wheels to 16" wheels? Just wondering.
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John Cotner New Ulm, Minnesota |
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Lee MN
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Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 11:56am |
16” were stock on a 2A/truck/wagon of the 1940’s, the 15” may have been an option but were not standard till the 3B/CJ5 in the mid 50’s.... What makes one better than the other I have no idea, 16” seems to have more heavy duty options and load carrying capacity. Lee 
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LEE
44 GPW-The Perfected Willys 49 2A “If you wait, you only get older” 67 M715 American Made Rolling History |
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mbullism
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Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 12:01pm |
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I thought the 15" were a response to complaints of lack of flotation with the std 6x16 NDTs? a.k.a. taller sidewall allows more "squish" and a wider footprint
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Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it... Welcome to 1930's Germany
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lhfarmbt
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Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 12:10pm |
Bob Westerman's article on the 1949 Nebraska Tractor Test (https://cj3a.info/cj3a/farmjeep/ntt.html) notes that the 3a was equipped with 15" wheels. He says "The 15" tires probably provided more floatation in loose soil." Our 49 3a also came with 15" wheels. Barry
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https://www.farmjeep.com/
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48cj2a
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Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 2:45pm |
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My 48 CJ2A also came with the original 7.00-15 Goodyears
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Art C USAF (Retired)
47 CJ2A #134955 Project 48 CJ2A #206759 62 L6226 Station Wagon #58167 10900 45 T3-C #191 Project http://www.bantamt3c.com http://www.48cj2a.com |
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oldtime
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Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 3:04pm |
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Group 25-01
All early cj’s were equipped with 16” if standard. 15” became the standard mid year 1963 yet 16” remained as an option through 1971. All earlier cj’s were available with 15” as an option and also 13” high flotation wheels that are very uncommon.
Edited by oldtime - 29 Apr. 2021 at 3:05pm |
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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) Zero aftermarket parts |
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Oldpappy
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Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 8:00pm |
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Interesting about the 13" high flotation wheels, I didn't know about that.
I have seen a couple of DJs with 13" wheels, but don't know if they were "high flotation".
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If you can't get there in a Jeep you don't need to be there!
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oldtime
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Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 8:33pm |
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I’ve never seen a set of the 13” wheels myself but it seems like someone told me they were used in fruit orchards so as not to pack the soil around tree roots.
Not really sure but logic suggest a rib implement tread design that might see beach duty. IDK
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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) Zero aftermarket parts |
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Joe Friday
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Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 11:43pm |
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The 4.5 x 15 wheels were optional from 1945 to at least 1962.
(and I hate to admit it, but it appears both Goodyear and Goodrich were sourced for the 7:00-15 later in CJ production.) The 13" was a rib type ag tire design, actually a "sand tire" from Goodyear for Coast guard and military applications. I suppose it could have been special ordered for farm jeeps, but I haven't tried to look that up.
Edited by Joe Friday - 29 Apr. 2021 at 11:45pm |
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John Cotner
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 11:10am |
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Thanks for all of the interesting info. If 15" wheels became standard for 3a models, they should be more common. Would 3a wheels fit on a 2a?
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John Cotner New Ulm, Minnesota |
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Oilleaker1
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 11:36am |
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Back in the late 60's and early 70's 15 inch tires were way easier to find and cheaper than the 600-16's. I had 16" saw dust M&S re-treads on my '48 CJ2A at the time. They worked quite well. My Highschool friends said I was running razor blades for tires-----
 . They had '55 Chevys and drag raced while I went to the back woods. They enjoyed my Jeep however. Scared a few too! Those were good times for me. |
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Green Disease, Jeeps, Old Iron!
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oldtime
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 1:10pm |
Basically they used the exact same wheels. CJ Wheels barely changed at all I till the creased disk came along in the mid 50’s. And then nothing else changed till the slightly wider 15” wheels became the CJ standard in mid year 1963. Except for early 2A there was also the Heavy Duty 16” wheel which at that time was identical to the standard pick up wheel and also the M38 and M38A1 wheels. Lots of people think the Willys wagon used 16” but that’s not true. Willys wagons only ever had 15” wheels.
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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) Zero aftermarket parts |
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cpt logger
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 7:49pm |
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Well Oldtime, I am surprised to find out that all of the wagons had 15" rims from the factory. All of the 12 or so wagons I have had came with 16" rims and all the ones that I have checked had 16" rims as well. Heck, the only Jeep I have owned that came to me with 15" rims was my 1970 CJ-5. Of course my '73 DJ-5 came with 14" rims. All the other Willys & Jeeps I have owned came with 16" rims. Even my friend's Willys Jeepster came with 16" rims. If one needs rims, Ford & Dodge 1/2 ton four wheel drive pickups & Broncos as well as at least some Ram Chargers had the same 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern. The center hole is big enough on the 4X4s but not on the 2WD units. International Harvester 1/2 ton pickups, Scouts, Travelers & Travel-alls all had the correct bolt pattern & center hole 2WD or 4X4. Heck, I found that some of the IH farm equipment used the same rims. Oh, do not forget the Jeep 1/2 ton Forward Control pickups. I do not know about the 3/4 or 1 ton FCs. My disclaimer; Do not take my word for it, check each rim to be sure that they fit your CJ. You never know what "Bubba" has done. I also do not guarantee that the offset will work, IME most will. IHTH, Cpt Logger.
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oldtime
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 7:53pm |
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Well that’s interesting capt logger.
Idk myself I’m not a wagon guy. But the parts list clearly only specify various 15” wheels depending on exact the wagon model. Am only stating info from the various 1945-1975 Jeep publications. I have every parts list and service manual 1945-1973. One thing I don’t have is any of the station wagon service standards publications. 1947 through 1964.
So maybe that needs to be looked into further. Edited by oldtime - 30 Apr. 2021 at 8:03pm |
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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) Zero aftermarket parts |
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rocnroll
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 8:13pm |
Per Paul Barry at Willys America....  |
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'47 CJ2A PU
'48 CJ2A Lefty "Common sense is not that common" |
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cpt logger
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 8:51pm |
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Fellows, I did not/do not doubt Oldtime, he is much more of a guru on originality then I will ever be. To be clear he has forgotten more than I will likely ever know. I am still very surprised to learn this. I am just relating my experiences with the Wagons. I am by no means an expert on this. Still this goes to show that lots of things get swapped out in the 70 +/- years that these rigs have been around. I will run the incorrect 16" rims on my Wagons. That leaves the harder-to-find 15" rims for others who like to be original. Sadly, to some folks, I do not worry about originality, I care about functionality. The 16" rims work well. Edited by cpt logger - 30 Apr. 2021 at 9:02pm |
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oldtime
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 9:25pm |
This is the 1962 MPL and still no reference between SW’s and 16”.  |
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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) Zero aftermarket parts |
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JohnB
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Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 9:53pm |
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Just to add a little to this. Years ago, I produced automotive parts catalogs - pre computer. You had to be careful on published info and make sure you are using a trusted source. Back then it was product managers who compiled their own data - from what they "knew" and other sources - competive catalogs. In fact copying was so prevalent, we all put made up/fake applications in our catalogs to catch competitors using it. At least it kept us entertained!
After computers, not really convinced data was more accurate, but it did allow us to make mistakes faster. We always had errors when a parts catalog was printed - we just hoped it wasn't too many. Now back to 15" wheels...
I should add that OEM data was generally more correct - aftermarket catalog sources were more risky for reliable/correct info. You remember those old 4' long catalog racks at jobber stores! Once a parts catalog made it in there, it could be years before it got replaced. Edited by JohnB - 01 May 2021 at 12:56am |
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John Cotner wrote: