What's your preference?

bias plies for off road, radials for street.

I prefer Super Swamper TSL, and BFG All Terrains in that order.

 

Yes Howard, your pics and the information you provide appears correct.
Those pics represent different variations of pre 1963 standard wheels (4-1/2" x 16")
However, I am not familiar with any atypical wheels that were from the American Wheel Company.

The other optional CJ wheels are identafiable via measurements, specific features and weight.

In my previous post I only intended to mention the pre 1963 CJ wheels.
There were many other Jeep specific wheels that were used on other jeeps models and vintages.
The correct standard or optional wheel for any jeep is fully dependant upon both the model and the vintage.

The CJ optional 5" x 16" Kelsey Hayes (for use with 7.00 x16" tires) are some of the very best to be had for jeeps with narrow tires.
A heavy duty 6" x 16" KH wheel intended for use with 7.50 x tires was also manufactured. (but not a CJ option)
Otherwise the 8 x 15" KH wheel (standard for Renegade I) is my favorite for use with wider tires.

Remember the ideal wheel for any application is relative to the tire and the jeeps expected tire useage.
Bias ply tires rule for off road uses.
The optimum tire size / tread pattern is always dependant on the traversed surfaces and the jeeps torque/ weight.

Here's a recent, related post about traction:
http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/index.php?showtopic=5120

 

i like your term gradability.

i use gription similarly, for less specific things / generic stuff involving various grip types... My gloves give me better gription than my sweaty bare hands... My tires are rated m/s, but their gription in mud isn't much... Doh! Now I sound like some of our posted CL links...

as a note, I think it's hard to walk up 100% slope, and why I tend to side hill and make switchbacks to get to the top. This isnt because my vibrams' gription is lacking, i just think its easier to go up at an angle to the angle. Similarly I've been on 4wd trails doing the same up and down steep ridges. Real seat button pullers when rolling backward downhill to finish a three point up hill switchback turn with tire waller holes which cause wheel lift.