Ok, I finally found some 42" TSLs for my K30 project. They are 15" wide and run a 15" rim. Right now they are on 15x10 chrome 6 lugs and they look about right. Pulled in just a little. Now, I've got to buy some 8 lugs for my K30, here is my dilemma.

Normally, I think the 10" wide wheels are probably about right. However, I'm only using this thing off-road with very short pavement runs (from parking to trail, etc.). So, I'm thinking maybe an 8" wide wheel to help protect the bead and keep it from popping off as bad at low pressure. Recommendations or opinions?

Also, the 8" will give me a perfect width with the Rock Stomper DIY bead locks if I decide I need them. Heck, ghetto locks (screws inside the "dish" into the bead) might be all that is needed for a narrow wheel like an 15x8" buggy.

What about running tubes? I've seen several people say they run tubes on these tubeless tires with very good effect. What say you? For or against? I like this idea because I really don't want to lug a 42" spare (or pay for it) if I can just pop the bead with a hi-lift and boot, sew, and/or replace the tube instead.

With all the opinions flying around here, no one has anything to say for or against running a very narrow wheel and/or tubes???

I know that a narrow wheel would cause center wear on the highway at normal pressures but, off road almost exclusively at low pressures should be fine, maybe even better, more even wear. Also, I'm a bit worried that it may be more likely to cause a pinched side wall. Experience from those who run similar setups would be appreciated.

Try it, It should make for a tall tire with lots of rim protection for rocks, not the best set-up for bottomless mud, but for general abuse it should work good.

off road only is fine :D

go for it! i have a bunch of buds that run 35x12.5 SSRs on a 6" wide rim and they love it for the bead holding and sidewall protection. should work great IMO! :flipoff2:

What about tubes? I've never even considered running tubes in a tubeless tire until now. Seems to work fine with dragsters and circle track, and I know I've seen people on here who say they've done it and like it.

Has anyone got anything to say for or against running tubes in these tires, on 8" rims, off-road almost exclusively, and almost always at low pressure? Obviously a spare tire/wheel would be better but, like I said earlier, I'm not thrilled with the extra 200 lbs or so, plus the bulk, plus the expense...

Instead of a spare just put a tube on the machine somewhere and a couple huge boots, that way if you bust up a tire you can boot it and put a tube in it at that time. Running tubes will work, but I don't think you will have any probs.

I have a pic of some 42s on 8" wheels but it appears I can't post pics anymore. (Fuggn puters)

A problem I've had with low air pressure and tube is the tire spinning on the rim and then tearing the tube.
Minor flats can be a real hassle with tubes where without them you could put in a pug and be on your way.

I will be running 42x15 on stock 16.5" rims that have been beadlocked, with a rim width of about 9.5" or so.

I ran tubes in my tubeless tire on my rail. Never had a problem, except when I tacoed the front wheel. Also never ran a real low pressure, 20 psi. Here is a thought run them tubless and carry a tube in case of major rip.

Yeah, that sounds like the best plan. Couple of tubes, a couple of tractor boots, music wire for stitching, a box of extra-large plugs, and some "gorilla snot" should cover it and take up very little room. Minor repairs are still a plug it and pump it affair. And major rips get stitched, booted, and tubed.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll be running some 8" rims tubeless and carrying the stuff listed above. I was thinking about tubing them to start with but this makes more sense, especially the part about easy fixes of minor stuff (doh! I hadn't thought of that!).

i keep a spare back at the trailer and carry the supplys you mentioned for repair work.

bead locks can make removing them a bit easyer than tire irons

Well I'm runnin the 39.5 tsl's and I have a 10 steel wheel with my own beadlocks that makes it about 11 inches wide I guess and as far as looks go I think they are right. I don't personally like wide rim that doesn't leave much tire sticking out, but that's just me.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/coiled1977/lst?.dir=/My+Photos&.view=t

Originally posted by coiled
Well I'm runnin the 39.5 tsl's and I have a 10 steel wheel with my own beadlocks that makes it about 11 inches wide I guess and as far as looks go I think they are right. I don't personally like wide rim that doesn't leave much tire sticking out, but that's just me.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/coiled1977/lst?.dir=/My+Photos&.view=t

Well, I ordered wheels today. Cheap 15x8" buggy wheels. Man, I couldn't believe how many tire companies and 4x4 shops argued with me that "they don't make 15" 8 lug rims", or "you can't put 42/15 TSLs on an 8" rim". Believe it or not, the "kids" down at Discount Tire were the most help of all. Usually it seems they are like most (not all, so don't bust on me) AutoZone employees, i.e. clueless. Hehe, maybe that is why the didn't give me a hard time? They didn't "know" so they just looked it up and said, ok $30 + $5 shipping each. If I have any trouble with blowing the bead, I can add the RS beadlocks for an almost perfect (IMHO) 9" width. Ring is still semi-protected and narrow enough to help hold the inner bead.

Now, one more question. How much of a PIA is hand mounting these big meats on an 8" wheel? I figure on the trail, like most things, I *CAN* and *WILL* make it happen. But for un-mounting 3 off the 6 lug rims and mounting 4 on the 8 lug rims, I'll pay someone and avoid that back breaking labor. Discount gets $5 each way for a $35 dollar total, well worth it I think. Then I find out that most shops (even when they sell 42-44" Swampers) can't mount anything over 39.5! Those that can will not mount on anything less than the manufacturers recommended width (10-12") due to f#@^ing liability. I finally found one on the far side of town (probably 40 minutes away) that will do the whole (un)mounting dance for $45. Figuring spending 2+ hours (if I'm very lucky which I never am) and $45, is it more trouble than it is worth to change these things with irons? I've never tried to change a Swamper (or anything near this size) by hand before. Those are some big MoFo beads on there! :eek:

Originally posted by BadDog
I've never tried to change a Swamper (or anything near this size) by hand before. Those are some big MoFo beads on there! :eek:
the bigger the easier it is to mount, by hand.

With $45 you could probably buy a nice Long tire hammer and a couple irons, and maybe a can of rim-ease (magic elixir)...It's not bad with the right tools...get tools like the guys at a truck stop use, they are the pros.

Call Mark over at Kongs 4x4, he's up off of 19th Ave and Cactus area. I assume you're not even gonna try to balance those things, but he can get them on the rims for you. We popped my 38" SX's off to add some golf balls no problem. His balance machine (as most others) won't spin them fast enough to balance. Mark's a good guy.

Discount will usually mount/dismount for free, especially when you buy new rims from them. However, I there's no way a 42 would fit on a Euro, and the post on a 4050 just clears a 39.5. I guess you may have to drive on them to break the bead, but I'd think that once you get one bead completely off the rim, you'll be home free.

Pete

Call Mark over at Kongs 4x4
Thanks, I will.

add some golf balls
Did it work?

I guess you may have to drive on them to break the bead, but I'd think that once you get one bead completely off the rim, you'll be home free
I may try it tomorrow just to see how it goes. I'll also check around for some of those semi tire tools.

Last time I swapped rims I went over to a neighbors shop, (he has a 18 wheeler), anyway... he squirted some rim-ease on the bead and the tire fell off the bead before I could swing the hammer...very cool:smokin:

I did of course mean drive on the tire with it laying flat on the ground (not on the truck). :D

Pete

Originally posted by pcorssmit
I did of course mean drive on the tire with it laying flat on the ground (not on the truck). :D

Pete

LOL, I kinda figured that!

BadDog,

Can you get a mfg name and part number for the 15X8 8 lug wheels? What backspace are the wheels, 4ish..?
I want to order some but Discount Tire here in San Diego is clueless.

thanks
Tony

Originally posted by Tony Sobrito
BadDog,

Can you get a mfg name and part number for the 15X8 8 lug wheels? What backspace are the wheels, 4ish..?
I want to order some but Discount Tire here in San Diego is clueless.

thanks
Tony

15x8 Unique Wheel Seires 21 white buggy wheels. Discount part number (they call it code) is 69667. The wheel is 29.00 even + 5.00 shipping and tax. Total 147.02 with a 1.5-2 week wait. Back spacing they claim is 4" exactly. They are special order items, pre-paid, and non-refundable.

Originally posted by SeaBass44

the bigger the easier it is to mount, by hand.

Wow! Those TSLs are really holding to those 15x10s! I'm starting to think that the 15x8s I ordered are going to be too narrow. I may never get them broken down once mounted! With no valve stems in the wheels, I pulled my back tire up on the TSL, and it just sat there. Jumping on the truck frame (no bed right now) didn't help. So, I took the hi-lift, centered at the back of the frame, and jacked both back tires off the ground, still didn't pop the bead. With both back tires off the ground on a hi-lift (yes, I was carefull and stayed clear) jumping on the frame was not an option. I guess there is just not enough weight back there without a body. I broke my boards I was using as a ramp while fooling around in the back, and the front does not have the clearance to use the hi-lift on the big wide 42", so my day ended with no progress on unseating the tires.

Tomorrow I'm going to drop by Home Depot to pick up a couple of landscaping timbers for ramps. I started to just drive a front tire up on it but I was concerned that I would damage my new tires without a ramp/board to distribute the pressure rather than folding the tread surface. I found a place locally that sells the hand tools (tire hammer and tire irons) for mounting big rig tires (about $150+ for the whole setup) so I may get that just to have it. I'm hoping to find a set of those Ausi "tyre plyers" and "bead breakers" though.

So, much for my first attempt at changing 42" TSLs by hand. Anyone tried the "tyre plyers" (or however they spell it)? Where can they be found and how much? Yes, I did a search with several spellings and came up empty.

Try some tire lube around the beads and let it soak in...I'm sure you can get a better price on the tools somewhere else.