Kelsey Hays wheels...to use or not to use...

Hey guys,
Been a long time since I've been on here...life keeps getting in the way of my Jeep fun lol. I'm probably selling my '55 project, and buying a mostly done '62 CJ5 that was sort of resto-modded. I'll post more on that later... I do have a question though--my '55 has what I think are probably the original wheels on it...they're riveted 15" jobs which I assume are Kelsey Hays. They have an ancient set of those skinny snow tires on them (which if not for the dry rot would actually be pretty decent).

Anyway, the '62 has a set of chrome wagon wheels on it. The tires have decent tread but the sidewalls are cracking so I'd need to replace them. I've never liked wagon wheels on my rigs, so I was thinking about keeping the KH wheels and putting them on the '62 with some new rubber, and putting the wagon wheels on the '55 chassis to keep it a roller.

So, here's my question... Most of the running gear on the '62 actually came from a an early '70s Commando (except the engine which came from a '79 Buick). So, I'm guessing the brakes are going to be too big for the old wheels without using spacers. Does it even make sense to use the old wheels? I'm not planning on hitting the Rubicon with this thing...just puttering around town and up in the local mountains. But, I don't want to take any chances with safety either if that's a factor (putting modern rubber on the old style wheels). Main reason I'd want to use them is I really like the look, and it would save me having to buy another set of wheels...

Or, would it just be more practical to try and hunt down an old set of '60s Jeep wheels that will fit? I'm kind of doubting the local junkyards will have anything that old... Worse case, I could paint the wagon wheels and get some new tires I guess...but I really don't like wagon wheels.

Thoughts?
Cheers,
Scott

 

I suggest that you remove a front wheel from your 1962.
Remove a KH wheel from your 1955 and try it for fit.
You need to make sure that the wheel will fit over your unspecified brake drums.

If it fits you should leave the mounted wheel jacked up.
Now spin the tire / wheel assembly on the hub.
Be sure that the hubs wheels bearings are correctly adjusted.
Check all 5 of the 1955 wheels for "true" .
If wheel "run out" exceeds 3/16" that could easily become a problem if you have a Ross steering system.

 

What Ken said.

 

Ideally the KH wheel run out will be 1/8 " or less.
If front wheel run out exceeds 3/16" then wheel tire becomes difficult to balance.
If it's more than 3/16" you can actually see the wheel run-out while driving down the road.
Imbalance implies that the Death Wobble may possibly be induced between 45 MPH to 50 MPH on such a Jeep with the Ross system.
If only one or two of your wheels have marginal run-out then you can position those onto the rear axle with no ill effects.

 

Super traxion on eBay have the look....I'm debating them as second place to NDCC's for my 55 as well...