M38 Wheels Identification and Description

M series military vehicle rims produced for the M38 and M38A1 from 1950 through
1962 are often difficult to distinguish from rims produced for other commercial and
military vehicles. Many times there are only subtle differences that, even to the educated
eye, can be difficult to determine.

Presented here is a combination of factory information and observed differences that will
aid in the identity of an M series rim.

When working with any vehicle rim it is important to also check for defects that would
make it unsuitable for use. One should always check the degree of metal degradation and
warpage before using a rim. A damaged rim is unsafe and should not be used or sold to
another collector.

When describing a rim there are several terms used in the industry that can be easily
misunderstood. The safety bead or lock bead is a small bulge in the outer rim to keep a
partially deflated tire from dismounting easily. This bulge is not very large and is
pictured on page 3.
Rim width is not the total length across the edge of the rim, but is measured just in side
the lip of the rim (see page 3).

This information should help simplify the process of identification for the basic military
M series rim that was produced for the M38 and M38A1.

The following are gratefully acknowledged for their contributions to this effort:

Ryan Miller Keith Buckley Wes Knettle

Ben Daugherty Dennis Erickson Bob Westerman

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The first rim (801762) was released for production on May 5, 1950 as a Rim & Disc
Assembly (16 x 4.50 Steel Wheel) for the Model MC (M38 Jeep).

After several changes this rim was later released as 802113 for MC-AF, and as 929499
for the MD and MDA. (NOTE: MC = M38, MD = M38A1, MDA = M170)
The changes were made to the contour of the rim & the lock bead to agree with latest
vendor drawings dated June 6, 1950.
Note: Lock Bead and Safety Bead are the same thing. This bead is to help a partially
deflated tire from dismounting from the rim during use. It is a small bulge and is
explained further on page 3.

Kelsey Hayes was the first vendor of record, with Motor Wheel added later (between
7/21/52 and 11/21/52). The Motor Wheel version has the bulge at each lug hole. This
bulge at the rim of each lug hole is raised 1/8 of an inch, which maintains spring steel
lock washer type pressure against the lug nut.
Incidentally, Motor Wheel was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Goodyear Tire and
Rubber Company until 1987.

The factory part number for the Rim and Disc ASSEMBLY was KH33702 (DX23051
was the experimental designation) or MW33606.

Inside disc Outer Rim

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The rim offset was not Zero, but positive 3/8", which means the disc is towards the
outside flange. Since the 4.5 inch rim width is the bead width, not the overall width, if
you lay the wheel on the floor, it will measure 5.54 tall +/- 1/16". (see diagram below)

If you lay a straight edge across the back flange, it will be 3.25 +.02/-.04 depending on
warpage and runout.

Rim Width = 4.5 inches

Wheel diameter = 16 inches

Offset = 3/8 inch

Safety bead to keep partially deflated tire from

dismounting

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The single offset hole in the lug hole area has been repeatedly referenced by collectors,
but there is no mention of it on any of the researched factory specification archives.
However, it does appear to be a fairly common finding on M38/ M38A1 rims.
This hole could have been a factory mark for quick identification of the rims with the
safety bead (Military) vs. those without (CJ rims).

Offset hole

The Kelsey Hayes wheels will have 16x4.50 "E" Kelsey-Hayes, Made in U.S.A., and the
month day and year Manufactured, along with the Tire and Rim Association Mark in a
convenient place near the valve hole. KH is another marking infrequently found.

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The paint finish for the 801762 wheel
Primer:
Federal Spec TT-P-636 or optional Federal Spec TTE-485B Double Dip

Enamel:
Military Spec MIL-E-11857, Color Spec TT-E-595, NO.2430 or optional No.2430
applied after final chassis assembly.

Finish for 801762 was later changed to "paint per instruction drawing 957085-B" on
9/22/61.
802113 was the same wheel, only painted to TTE-489, STRATA BLUE GLOSS
ENAMEL. .75 to 1.25 mils thick. (Air Force)

Paint can tag: Wyandotte Paint Products, Wyandotte MI (See photo on next page)

Code: 7BLK7710 Name: O.D. Semi Gloss

Color: 2430 Batch 49187

Material: TT-E-529 Date: 8-4-60 NOTE: See photo of colors below

NOTE:
Every factory archive researched for information on combat rims did not list any
specifications for paint. This information may have been a "confidential war item"
category. Factory tire molds and bulletproof tube drawings for this period are also in this
category.

Summary

801762 thru 9/22/61 was painted the 2430 color, then it was changed to the darker 24087.
These wheels had a 3/8 offset and a safety bead. This wheel was also used in the first
years of M38A1 production and is the only wheel listed in the ORD 9 SNL- G758 Dated
1956.

929499 was painted the darker 24087 MD, MDA 3/8 offset with safety hump
(This wheel was a later M38A1 service replacement rim)

640800 was civilian colors or 24087 and had no safety hump

As for the M715 and XM715, they were the standard 24087 color.

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NOTE: This factory archived paint chip is only intended to give greater appreciation to
the difference in the 2430 and the 24087 colors. Due to variations from scanning the
image, computer display screens, and computer printers this picture is not a reliable
sample to match colors with actual paint chips.

2430 is on the upper left and the other two are 24087.

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BOTH Kelsey Hayes and Motor Wheel came with EITHER riveted or welded
construction.
The rivets themselves carried KH21652 or MW31535.
The rim itself was KH33704 or MW50713
The disc was KH28903 or MW33607

1. Dome shaped rivet heads (Rim dated 9/51) Kelsey Hayes

2. Flat rivet heads (Rim dated 4/53) Kelsey Hayes

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3. Spot welded (Rim dated 8/54) Kelsey Hayes

Street side of wheel

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If the wheels were manufactured after 3/1/62, they may be 640800 or 929499 wheels.
They look similar to military rims, but 640800 has no safety bead and has a 3/4 inch
offset instead of 3/8 inch. These rims were produced for Willys pickups and station
wagons (They have a rim width of 5 inches instead of the military 4.5 inches).

There are several civilian and later produced military rims that look extremely close and
even have the infamous offset hole in the lug hole area. This Kelsey Hayes rim can be
easily distinguished by a small bead along the outer edge of the disc (see arrows).
M38 rims do not have this bead.

NOTE: Rim is dated 4/62

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Canadian M38 (CDN) vehicles have infrequently been observed to have a rim similar to
the US M38. Several differences were:
1. No small offset hole in the wheel lug area.
2. Kelsey Canada stamped on the exterior surface at the lug area. (see picture below)

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