Is this wheel correct for an M38A1?

[Avalon01]

This wheel has 3 small slots in it. The other four wheels are constructed the same, but do not have the slots.



Edit: I have another 15 wheels - no tires mounted. Again, four will look like the one pictured above, but no slots, and one will have the three slots exactly like the one pictured above.

I don't know why, but the guy who sold me the Jeep had all these extra wheels and threw them in for free.

Av.

[BobW]

Hi,

That doesn't look like an original military wheel to me. Check out the wheel article in the downloads section for some great information. Look under M38 drivetrain.

[Avalon01]

That document is clear as mud.

I took a closer look at all the wheels I have and the backs look like the picture of the dome rivet head picture.

Under the maroon paint is USMC forest green - the M38A1 is a '52 USMC - under the forest green is OD.

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[hillbilly21]

They look like my early cj5 rims.. My m38a1 rims are all smooth around the lug nuts and also have one small hole between the lug holes..

[davem201m38]

I have an M38A1 chassis with its wheels on. To me the A1 wheels look like M38 wheels. Don't recognise that wheel you have there as anything 'usual' that I've encounted in the ex. mil piles, not even on the odd high bonnet jeep that I've seen released.???????????????????? Its an odd one.

[Ryan_Miller]

I agree with Dave. That is an odd wheel.

The slots in the disc part are unusuall. The M38A1 wheel should be similar to the M38. After around 1962 (if I remember correctly) the later style replacement rim that has the flat area on the edge of the center disc as it attaches to the outer rim (that can be viewed on the rim document) was the major difference.

Hope that helps.

[hillbilly21]

Showed a man this pic. of the rims and I was told they are for the Cj5 civvy style possible tuxedo jeep .. the slots are for beauty rings, or snap in covers for hubcaps that they used back in the early 60s... That was his opinion..Sounds good to me makes it seem worth while!!..

[wesk]

That fellows explanation doesn't hold water. Beauty rings just snaop in to the outer perimeter of the wheel. The photos I have of factory tuxedo park CJ5's have the knob or bump to retain the baldie caps.

The wheel looks to me more like a Willys Wagon wheel .

[Avalon01]

I looked at all the wheels I have and found ONE that matches the wheel shown in the PDF. It has the small hole in the wheel and no ridges or bumps around the lug nuts.

I also took a closer look at the paint and although close, it does not quite match the USMC paint or the Army OD.

I would love to find the owner who swapped the wheels and as "why?'

How much do M38 wheels cost and where can I find them?

Av.

[wesk]

Anywhere form $20 to $60. Usually easy to find at MV events. Try John at Midwest Military over in Prior Lake MN
http://www.midwestmil.com/