Topple Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 I bought some unusual split rim wheels at the weekend. Inboard and outboard wheel halves are joined by eight tie bolts and each rim has six substantial lugs. Can anyone identify these wheels, what vehicle they're from and what the lugs are for ? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 I restored some ex-military split rims a few years ago - the special bolts are almost impossible to get hold of now. They didn't have those strange lugs on though - never seen them before. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Train Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Are the lugs original? Could they be for some kind of tyre chain or wheel track system given that they are on both inside and outside of the rim. I remember seeing photos of 21/2 ton GMC trucks in WW2 having twin wheels fitted on all axles and individual wheel tracks on each duel wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mortus Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 they look good rims to me! how much were they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboy Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 They look very like Austin Champ split rims to me. There used to be a metal plate on the outer rim with a WD (War Dept) Part Number. I'd also guess that the lugs are for chains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topple Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 Are the lugs original? Could they be for some kind of tyre chain or wheel track system given that they are on both inside and outside of the rim. I remember seeing photos of 21/2 ton GMC trucks in WW2 having twin wheels fitted on all axles and individual wheel tracks on each duel wheel. My first impressions were that the lugs are an original feature but I suppose it's hard to tell. If they are a retrofit it was done well. They're equispaced, well aligned and nicely welded. I did wonder if they could be for chains as you suggest but i've never seen them before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topple Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 They look very like Austin Champ split rims to me. There used to be a metal plate on the outer rim with a WD (War Dept) Part Number. I'd also guess that the lugs are for chains. Thanks for your suggestion. There are definately some plates on them so i'll take a look in daylight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydiesel Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 I've had a set of these for years, i always thought they were off military series 2/2a. Mine have a set of really thick rubber liners that stop the rim pinching the tube as you tighten them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Could the lugs be for fitting a step, like on forward control vehicles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 They look very like Austin Champ split rims to me. There used to be a metal plate on the outer rim with a WD (War Dept) Part Number. I'd also guess that the lugs are for chains. That's what came to my mind too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Hancock Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Early EX MoD SWB landy 4.5" wide rims for 600 or 650 tyres with chain lugs added. Champ are the wider 5.5" version the same as 109" landy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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