Tires: rim sizes, steel rims, inch diameter


Question
QUESTION: what is the difference between radial steel rims 16 X 6J and 16 X 6K?  What feature of the rim do the letters represent?

ANSWER: Elsa,

The J and K represent the size and shape of the rim flange.

In the case of a J, the flange is 17.5 mm high, where the K flange is is either 10.31mm or 10.97 mm high.  There are other dimensions that are included in the letters, but this gives you a flavor.

The question you are probably asking is:  Are these interchangeable - and the answer is no.  Certain types of tires will only fit on J flanges and other fit only on K flanges, and there are some that fit on both.

But this question needs to be approached from the other end:  What type of vehicle you do have, and what types of tires are suitable for that type of vehicle, and what type of rims are compatible with those types of tires?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your prompt answer.  One further question:  do the other dimensions that are included in the letters relate to the diameter of the lug?  i.e., are the lug holes larger in diameter for K than J?

Answer
Elsa,

A rim labeled 16 X 6J tells me:

1)   it is a 16 inch diameter rims - only 16" tires fit on it.

2)  It is 6" wide.  That information helps determine if a particular 16" tire size will fit on the rim

3)  It has a J type flange - which I explained earlier.

It tells me nothing about the offset or the bolt pattern, so I can not tell you anything about what vehicle it might fit on.

So - no - J and K do not tell me anything about the lug holes.  They could be the same or different.