Motor Wheel 15 6L” 685?

[jeepguy1948]

I have a set of Motor Wheel 15 6L” 685

15” 5 X 5.5” lug pattern. I was told that these were early Ford wheels (this before I media blasted them and uncovered the above information. I’m thinking that Ford made all their own OEM wheels but I could be wrong about that. Anybody know what I’ve got?

[cas3]

I've always seen KH on ford wheels I've blasted and cleaned up. Motor wheel was a big maker of aftermarket stuff, and maybe some brand X cars. Not sure when they went under or got bought out, but 15" would be rare for the v8 era. lets see a pic of the center

[Ggmac]

What size is the center hole ? Jeeps have very large holes

[truckdog62563]

A MW product would have been either after market on a Ford, or maybe a Jeep wheel. I tried looking them up based on just what you found but the part number would have five digits instead of three. None of the 15x6Ls I found had the 685 as part of their number. Do the wheels have hub cap clips, or maybe no nubs at all which would be a Jeep clue. If you can find a five digit number somewhere I should be able to look it up.

I’ve tried to find record of Ford having built their own wheels early on but haven’t found record of it. If some reference can be cited (versus simply opinions) showing this I’d be interested in knowing it.

MW was in the early years associated with Goodyear much like Firestone was with Ford, and in the 1980s was absorbed into Goodyear. During the 1990s internationalization of the industry MW, Budd, and K-H where absorbed into the German Hayes Lemmerz Corporation then into the Brazilian Maxion Corporation where they are today. Stu

[jeepguy1948]

I will see about finding more data on them and also pictures. They are not Jeep wheels. I know this because I have a Jeep which is what I bought them for and the hole is too small (sure looked big enough at the swap meet, lesson learned, keep a tape measure handy.). It appears that maybe these were aftermarket to fit an early Ford. I have a set of (what I for a fact to be) off an early Bronco and they are marked with the Ford script. I assumed that if they for a 4 x4 Bronco, they would fit a Jeep. Not so, Bronco used a smaller front hub even though they used the same axle.

[jeepguy1948]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I took some pictures but I can’t for the life of me download the pictures to this post. It does not work the same way as I have done on other forums in the past.
The wheels are 15” X 6”
Bolt pattern is 5 X 5.5”
Center hole is 3.75”
Definitely labeled

Motor Wheel
Made in USA
15
“6” L
685
If somebody wants to pm me I will text or email a couple pictures to him and he can post them.

[jeepguy1948]

Pictures?

[jeepguy1948]

Ok, well, I guess I figured it out.

[truckdog62563]

The 6 85 must be the manufacturing date. Stu

[jeepguy1948]

They look a whole lot older then from 1985 but the number could be a code rather then the actual date. I don’t know if the picture shows it clearly but there are “keyholes” in the center section. They also have balancing weights attached to the back that look like they were installed at the factory.

[truckdog62563]

Is the center disc welded to the rim or riveted? If it’s welded that’s the build date, if riveted probably not. Surprising to me that you aren’t finding a five digit part number. MW as a rule numbered their wheels. Stu

[Newc]

Made for spring type cap clips Cad [some] or Lincoln. I have some similar Lincolns. Newc

[jeepguy1948]

Welded truckdog

[truckdog62563]

Yeah, when radials came on market in the 1960s/70s the wheel manufacturers began to experience failures due to the greater flex of radials. Welding of the discs to the rims addressed it. I’ve also read iirc that there was some NHTSA involvement on that. So that is a fairly new wheel. I did look in the references this afternoon at 1980s era 15x6L MW wheels and saw a Jeep version. Stu

[jeepguy1948]

There wasn’t a lot of 5 x 5.5 still going on by 85 though

[jeepguy1948]

Jeep (when still using 5 x 5.5) required a 4.25” center hole (4.125 if you had a big hammer) Bronco only needed 3.75” center.

[jeepguy1948]

So in theory these wheels would fit an early Bronco that was completely changed prior to 1985.

[deuce lover]

Looks like a early 1950's Chrysler to me especially with the width of 6".The early 50's Chrysler Imperials had a 5.5 bolt pattern. Might have had clips for retaining a small hubcap.

[cas3]

I agree with deuce, mopars in the 50's used a locating pin on the brake drum, thats what the extra holes are for

[truckdog62563]

Looks like this has to be MW #37132-S / NWRA cross reference #X-45229. It’s the only MW product fitting the description in the MW 1980 catalog and through to 1985 in NWRA catalogs. It reaches back into the 1960/70s on production vehicles. Used on F100s, Econolines, Broncos, and all manner of Jeeps. Stu