Thinking about gettin' me some tires for the CrewCab and the Serious One. Here's the setup:

CrewCab:

Weight, 7500 lbs empty, mostly highway miles but then to dirt roads/washboard/sand/mud/slickrock. No heavy duty rockcrawling. Wolf rims.

Serious One:

Weight, 4500 lbs empty, flat towed to trail then I'll do everything from slickrock to sand to mud to whatever. I would like some real tires to run on my beadlock 15 inch rims (stock rim width).

I also have a set of stock '53 steel rims that I want to put some tires on to run on the highway. I put the 235/85/16's BFG MT's on the LWB RR, so now I have some steelies to put some tires on.

I am trying to get some tires through Pro Comp, but it's going to be a while. The images that I would like them to use won't be used for a while and I need some tires pretty quick.

Ideas?

I'd go interco for both...

Serious 1:
Budget oriented - LTBs (33-34 height)
Performance - IROKs (33s are coming soon, right?)

Crewcab:
Street friendly - STS (saw a unimoged wrangler this weekend on 44x21 STSs go where Boggers had trouble - once in the mud he winched :flipoff2: )
Half Half - Trexus MT

Interco tires are really good and they are somewhat affordable in the <35" sizes compared to BFG and others (well, at least in the magazines).

I'd vouch for the IROKs (36" flavor) - they're just great.

I'm pretty happy with the trxus MT's . Decent in the snow, which may or may not be an issue for you. They work well in northeastern conditions...not sure how they'd work in your dry neck of the woods.
This summer is has had rain on more than 50% of the days. They've worn well. Got them fairly cheap.
Thats my suggestion for the crew cab.

Seriouse one?? I don't know.

I would not hold my breath on the 33" IROKs (look how long it took for the 42" to come out). LTB's are kinda hard compound and slip alot on the rocks from what I have seen. Sorry but the STS's are super gooby, and if you put them on the CC, I will start flamin' the crap outta you.

Serious 1:
35" Krawlers if you can fit them
O/W MTR's/KM MT's/SSR's in 33" (the SSR's are avail in 35x10.5 which might be good for the little bugger, or 33x10.5"s). I have run the MTR's and SSR's in multiple sizes and different rigs with good results. Both wear about equally, but the SSR's wore more evenly. About the same performance wise in the rock and mud.

Crew Cab:
Get something at least D rated for sure (E if you can find and afford it). Everything else that is a floatation LT size will wear out like a mommason. And a blowout with that big rig on the highway would be a beitch. Get a little laser pointed thermometer and monitor tire temp on that truck when you stop. Super easy, cheap and the big trucks are starting to do that now.

I have used several mud tires on my heavy trucks (7000 lbs and more) with limited success. SSR's, and MTR's both wear really fast and the MTR's cupped really quickly. If they still offered the old style BFG muds (hard compound) I would run those, but the new ones do not wear as well. Lots of guys in the Cummins Turbo crowd use BFG AT's with good success, getting good mileage, and moderate offroad performance.

I have seen some varied reports on Goodyear Workhorses... They held up pretty well, and have a semi aggressive patter. Also the Michelin XPS Mud have a good rep. I got good mileage out of the XPS Ribs on my dually.

That is all,

Billster

I'd go interco for both...

Serious 1:
Budget oriented - LTBs (33-34 height)
Performance - IROKs (33s are coming soon, right?)

Crewcab:
Street friendly - STS (saw a unimoged wrangler this weekend on 44x21 STSs go where Boggers had trouble - once in the mud he winched :flipoff2: )
Half Half - Trexus MT

Interco tires are really good and they are somewhat affordable in the <35" sizes compared to BFG and others (well, at least in the magazines).

I'd vouch for the IROKs (36" flavor) - they're just great.

TrXus rock....if it gets street driven LTB's are not the best choice IMHO...like an Bias ply TSL, they wear like flesh on pavement.

I vote SSR's, if you're wanting radials. I owned one set and have two other buddies that each have a set still and have put serious miles on them. I've been pleasantly surprised at how their tread wear has progressed.


Off topic: Get used to seeing me, I've sold my Jeep junk and bought a Disco II. My opinions and experiences that I'll share will undoubtably get on ALL of your nerves. :flipoff2:

Off topic: Get used to seeing me, I've sold my Jeep junk and bought a Disco II. My opinions and experiences that I'll share will undoubtably get on ALL of your nerves. :flipoff2:

Oh GOOD. I was getting used to DieLucas! and was hoping someone else irritating would come along.

:flipoff2:

I guess you have many attractive choices for the Series, but I'd strongly advice you to source some large military Michelins for the CC. I took off som TSL Q78-16's and now run on MIchelin XZL 9.00x16's. They fit on Wolfs, have roughly the proportions of 7.50x16's but are of course much bigger. Looks good on a Landrover. They look mild, but are almost as good as the Swampers in mud and probably better in sand. They are steel radials and the sidewalls are about 1" thick, but they float out really nice when aired down. Steering and off camber stability is soo much better, and I think I have cut about 3' from the turning circle.

Cost a fortune new, but can be found at bargain prices lightly used. I paid GBP 65 for tires that would cost more than US$ 600 in Sweden.

Cost a fortune new, but can be found at bargain prices lightly used. I paid GBP 65 for tires that would cost more than US$ 600 in Sweden.

XZL's eh? Hmmm.... I found
THIS SITE (http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/photos5.htm) that talks about where I should be able to find some reasonably affordable XZL's. Only problem with Michelin is that they're a French company.

Oh GOOD. I was getting used to DieLucas! and was hoping someone else irritating would come along.

:flipoff2:


I figured this place needed a shake up. Posts about how to open your hood just don't cut it. :rolleyes:

Besides, with me posting here, the level of knowledge just increased 10 times. :flipoff2:

Ok, back to tech.

Are you firm on 15" rims?

Why not get some H1 tires and rims with runflats. I think they're like 36" tall. Get 12 bolt h1 rims, plate them to recenter and new bolt pattern. Viola?

Discuss. :flipoff2:

XZL's eh? Hmmm.... I found
THIS SITE (http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/photos5.htm) that talks about where I should be able to find some reasonably affordable XZL's. Only problem with Michelin is that they're a French company.

Yes, they are French. They also own BF Goodrich, and they do the best military tires around. What's the problem?

XZL's eh? Hmmm.... I found
THIS SITE (http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/photos5.htm) that talks about where I should be able to find some reasonably affordable XZL's. Only problem with Michelin is that they're a French company.

Cuiously enough, when an associate of mine drove my Rover into the parking lot of the local Michelin plant, he was told never to drive it to work again as it was an import...

XZLs? I wonder who has these...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7917009294&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT

shameless plug, OS, scold me if you please.

David

XZLs? I wonder who has these...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7917009294&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT

shameless plug, OS, scold me if you please.

David

David, You obviously haven't met Mr Slade. At 5'7" he has 'little man big truck complex' Now if you have 9.00x16 thats a different storry.



-Jeff

:flipoff2:

Maybe then these will do....(these I have nothing to do with)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7916166832&category=66478&sspagename=WDVW

David

Mike:
I'll bet Kyle and Ho have some suggestions fo tires for you :flipoff2:

Mike:
I'll bet Kyle and Ho have some suggestions fo tires for you :flipoff2:

Actually the one thing I would buy from Ho is a Benchmade knife. I recently got one (not from them...), but want another one that they sell. Their price is alright, and since they're not associated with anything definitively evil, I was considering giving them a call...

:D

Going to eBay right now...

EDIT: WOAH! 100 tires!?! I don't need that many. Just 5 will do. David, I'll give you a call sometime. E-mail me with your 'good guy whose never done anything nice for you' price. Tell me why I want 7.50x16's and not 9x16's.

Speaking of 'good guys who've never done anything nice', Pendy will you be at the Rally? I may show up just to give you your binnacle. :flipoff2:

Slade, just use the buy it now, that is a hellova deal. And I have an easy payment plan, 100% down and no monthly payments. Why should you buy 7.50s instead of 9.00s? Because I don't have any 9.00s, that's why....

D.

the XZLs will suit your CC purposes almost perfectly, but coincidentally the size that would work best is also the hardest to attain (8.25x16). the 900s are 36.5" tall, and combined with the weight youre already pushing and the extra hp/torque from the SBC... KABLAMMO axle failures

the XZLs will suit your CC purposes almost perfectly, but coincidentally the size that would work best is also the hardest to attain (8.25x16). the 900s are 36.5" tall, and combined with the weight youre already pushing and the extra hp/torque from the SBC... KABLAMMO axle failures

What size are the 7.5's? The 8.25's?

I have found a tire size calculator, but it only does metric.

the 7.5s are roughly 32", the 8.25 roughly 34"

the only time i have not seen these tires perform well is in really thick mud, they start to pack sooner than swampers and similar. but not so quickly that it overrules their other distinct benefits.

if you want to talk to someone with good first hand info from running then for the past two years or so, give Peter at Badger Coachworks a call. all of my knowledge of these tires comes from either talking with him or wheeling with him rather often.

the 7.5s are roughly 32", the 8.25 roughly 34"

the only time i have not seen these tires perform well is in really thick mud, they start to pack sooner than swampers and similar. but not so quickly that it overrules their other distinct benefits.

if you want to talk to someone with good first hand info from running then for the past two years or so, give Peter at Badger Coachworks a call. all of my knowledge of these tires comes from either talking with him or wheeling with him rather often.

Thanks. You're right, I think I do want the 8.25's. I'll start looking to see if I can find any that are a decent price.

Mike,

You find any at a "decent" price be sure to let us ALL know!

KAA

Mike,

You find any at a "decent" price be sure to let us ALL know!

KAA

Well, this is absolutely no fawking good to you right now Mike :flipoff2: but the Canadian Military just bought a fleet of G Wagens with 8.25 XZLs on them, and in about a year there will be some trickling down into my greasy mitts. They are probably going to be hard to find at first as the numbers are small, but eventually they'll be all over the place, just like 1100R16s (39", perfect for the CC!)

I have been running michelin tires for a few years now and they are great. 900R16 XLs are the shazz (36"), I'm going to 325/85R16 XMLs (39") this winter. If you're building a purpose built rock crawler performance thing, I'd shy away from them, but for a "reliability first" expedition rig like your ice cream truck, they are just wicked. No flats ever, balance out perfect, and they have a cadillac ride at 70 mph. The XZLs I've driven on were really nice.

I wouldn't compare any other tire manufacturer to Michelin "real" "MIL" truck tires. My 900R16s have a 4500 lbs rating per tire, and a steel sidewall ply, but they still flex very well. The only tire I'd consider running over a 325/85R16 XML on my rig would be a TSL or a Bogger for off-road only, maybe some cepek 44s for winter :grinpimp: but never on the street. The quality and ride of these things is way nicer than anything else and they're OK off-road. 10000 mi on my current set, still pretty darn good if you ask me. No punctures, no vibes, no problems, off-road, on, snow, tire chains, 50 psi, 5 psi, etc.

Oh yah - untwist your undies - Michelin is pretty much worldwide. They manufacture a lot of stuff stateside and in Canada. Hell, I had South African Goodyears, tire manufacturers are worldwide consortisums.

Oh yah - untwist your undies - Michelin is pretty much worldwide.

Untwisting...

:flipoff2:

Untwisting...

:flipoff2:

This thread is useless without pics!

:grinpimp:

Hey, wait a minute...

:barf:

:flipoff2:

NOW who's lacking tact?? :flipoff2:

NOW who's lacking tact?? :flipoff2:

Touche.

Now...I didn't say I exactly WHAT I was untwisting...but I can provide pics if needed.

:flipoff2:

Touche.

Now...I didn't say I exactly WHAT I was untwisting...but I can provide pics if needed.

:flipoff2:


Uh, is this the kind of 'humor' that I'm going to have to deal with over here? :flipoff2:

Okay, Mr. Sigline! :flipoff2: you have room to talk ;)

Uh, is this the kind of 'humor' that I'm going to have to deal with over here? :flipoff2:

Haven't met Merv yet, have ya?

-Jeff

NOW who's lacking tact?? :flipoff2:

:flipoff2: :grinpimp: :rasta: :crybaby:

Oh yah well my turbo is bigger :flipoff2:

BACK TO THE TOPIC...

So, does anyone see a good reason why I *shouldn't* run the XZL's? I'm liking them in that 8.25 size for the CC and am hunting some down. Elusive little buggers aren't they.

Too bad those Canadian G-wagen's aren't available.

Anyone with a line on where to get these puppies?

You have stumbled across the reason why NOT to run them... availibility. And then once you jump that hurdle you will stumble across the other... cost.

Anyone with a line on where to get these puppies?

I don't think you'll find any 8.25s new...

However, I do think the CC would look and perform just fine with 7.50s, and you won't break anything. I've been running them for 2 years doing the same sort of wheeling that you do with the CC. I've had zero flats or lost beads even at 8 psi, just worn tread from highway driving - and I bought them all used, ex-military.

Here's a 147 on said rubber:

Well, if you're willing to pay (I'm not) availability is not an issue.
If you're willing to search for them used, prices are fine.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=141690&stc=1
Re size, this is what a D110 looks like on 9.00R16's. Wolf's and spacers. MDE halfshafts and diffcenters, AUE2522's. So far, so good.

Re size, this is what a D110 looks like on 9.00R16's. Wolf's and spacers. MDE halfshafts and diffcenters, AUE2522's. So far, so good.

Yeah, sure it *looks* good, but what about snap-age? A 110 on 37's
*MAYYYYBE* alright, but my truck isn't gonna last long with 9x's on it.

I'm searching for some 8.25's, and buying used would be preferred actually than new.

...Re size, this is what a D110 looks like on 9.00R16's. Wolf's and spacers. MDE halfshafts and diffcenters, AUE2522's. So far, so good.

Very cool Chris. Those are 255/100s right?

SC

Agreed, 8.25 sounds right. But I would not settle for 7.50.

Those are 255/100's, also marked 9.00R16 in smaller characters and numbers.

Here is an old 110 on 7.50s http://www.thatchedroofgarage.com/images/110/Dsc00220.jpg

The CC needs 255/85 0r 8.25s The S1 could go with the 7.50s

David

Here is an old 110 on 7.50s http://www.thatchedroofgarage.com/images/110/Dsc00220.jpg

The CC needs 255/85 0r 8.25s The S1 could go with the 7.50s

David

Yeah, 7.50's are too small on a 110. The hunt continues for some used 8.25's.

Yeah, 7.50's are too small on a 110. The hunt continues for some used 8.25's.

I seriously doubt you'll find some stateside - No US mil vehicles use them, I believe - they do have some G wagens but in small quantities for air deployment only. I would start calling places overseas... Can some of the UK dudes help? Merv?

I got mine from Vass in the UK. Decent company, but shipping sucks.

All I can say is my experiences with XZL's was less than favorable. I had always read that they wear really well and have a smooth ride.

Well, I bought a set that had around 5K miles on them. Two had slight cupping, but nothing really bad. I was told that they would smooth out (the cupping) and to not be concerned.

Well, the cupping got worse and worse and they wore VERY quickly. The ride had become almost unbearable. It was like driving down the side of the freeway on the rumple-strips. I eventually had to take them off and have them shaved to get the tread smooth again. This cost me about half the tread on two of the tires, and about 1/4 of the tread on teh others.

Perhaps if I had bought them new this wouldn't have happened, or if I had just had them shaved to begin with, but I seriously expected better wear than what I got.

I recently sold these because I had so many issues. Plus, they were too big and heavy for my Rover axles (9x16's).

Overall, I just wasn't as impressed as I had expected.

All I can say is my experiences with XZL's was less than favorable. I had always read that they wear really well and have a smooth ride.

Well, I bought a set that had around 5K miles on them. Two had slight cupping, but nothing really bad. I was told that they would smooth out (the cupping) and to not be concerned.

Well, the cupping got worse and worse and they wore VERY quickly. The ride had become almost unbearable. It was like driving down the side of the freeway on the rumple-strips. I eventually had to take them off and have them shaved to get the tread smooth again. This cost me about half the tread on two of the tires, and about 1/4 of the tread on teh others.

Perhaps if I had bought them new this wouldn't have happened, or if I had just had them shaved to begin with, but I seriously expected better wear than what I got.

I recently sold these because I had so many issues. Plus, they were too big and heavy for my Rover axles (9x16's).

Overall, I just wasn't as impressed as I had expected.

I have had that problem with Michelins too, but read on:

9X16s are used (In Canada) on an Iveco/Western Star abortion called an LS. They are the ultimate in tactical vehicles because they have the squeakiest brakes known to man. Nothing like sneakin around in full camo with 150 decibel brake squeal. Retarded.

Anyways, they wear the shit out of front tires. Cupping, BAD. So they take the tires off and change them. I got a set that were MINT but the fronts were starting to cup. I put them on the front, and they continued to wear horribly and pretty quickly. Then, I put the smooth ones on the front, and another set back (basically, four back tires from an LS). The front ones didn't wear funny at all. They just kept rolling smoothly... These were XLs - Directional looking thread.

Moral - I was always told that tires which are cupped keep wearing that way until you replace them. My michelins seemed to be especially prone to this.

Perhaps your experiences are also due to the fact that you were driving them on a nice riding rig, and the vibrations on something like a series are more bearable. When the cupping was at its worst I couldn't use my mirrors at low speeds, they would shake too much. Now the engine has the same effect.

BACK TO THE TOPIC...

So, does anyone see a good reason why I *shouldn't* run the XZL's? I'm liking them in that 8.25 size for the CC and am hunting some down. Elusive little buggers aren't they.



They are really heavy and a PITA to mount with tire irons.

i agree... my personal thoughts are that each alternating tread block on the XZL is formed from a different compound... one being softer than the other. if you look at one of these tires after it has been driven on the pavement even over a short distance, alternating blocks will be darker or lighter in color. its a strange occurence, and i wouldnt know how else to describe it...

Greg,

I had forgotten about your XZL experience, thanks for reminding me. Adam, your input is interesting too. Now I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the hassle of even finding them.

So, if the XZL's are out, what's choice number two?

In one of the LR mags a while ago there was an article about two 110's and one of them had the 8.50's. They were driving across a few countries and they noticed that the XZL's were starting to split between the treads. They wrote to Michelin to see if this is normal and posted a picture of the letter they received. In the response Michelin stated that the tire is designed for 80% off road driving and 20% on road driving. There article talked about them driving 100's of highway miles and Michelin told them that all that highway mileage was breaking down the tread compound. Michelin recommended they use XCL's instead. I will look for the mag tonight and have someone post it for me. FWIW

Greg,

I had forgotten about your XZL experience, thanks for reminding me. Adam, your input is interesting too. Now I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the hassle of even finding them.

So, if the XZL's are out, what's choice number two?

I still say these.

36 x 12.50 - 16.5
GoodYear / Wrangler R/T II (Military)

I still say these.

36 x 12.50 - 16.5
GoodYear / Wrangler R/T II (Military)

Hummer tires are too big for the CC.

Why not use BFG ATs on the CC for road and mild stuff and have a second set of more agressive treads for when the going gets rough.
I have seen ATs get 100+k milage one full size trucks fwiw

Anything bigger than a 33 :D

I would say the Trxus mud terrain.

http://www.intercotire.com/html/trxus_mt___sts.htm

BTW, my 35" AT's on my Crew Cab will not even come close to lasting 100K.

Perhaps 40K if I am lucky..

Anything bigger than a 33 :D

BTW, my 35" AT's on my Crew Cab will not even come close to lasting 100K.

Perhaps 40K if I am lucky..

Damn that sucks.
I had 35x12.5r15s on a Scout Traveller (6700gvw) and a 91 GMC clubcab.

I STILL suggest going STS in 20" rim form for the CC and IROKs (33 or even 36) for the S1

STS's are :rainbow: :rainbow: :rainbow:
Why not just put some Thornbirds on it!!!!
And the STS's don't come in 20" rim size except for the sizes bigger than 38". Not that Mike wouldn't look super cool with some 33" STS's on 20" rims on the CC, with those 5" of sidewall height. I can just picture them on some 15" wide rims so the sidewalls stretch WAY out to meet the rims...

Billster

I STILL suggest going STS in 20" rim form for the CC and IROKs (33 or even 36) for the S1

Bill,

I think you know that I am not in favor of a bling bling "look" to a truck :flipoff2: - I did recommend the STS in the 20" flavor because of their load carrying capacity, their better road handling and the ability to run big ass discs in the future.

Wheels can be sourced from Strazwork if needed.

I did see a Jeep/Unimog buggy in Lebanon run the 44x21 flavor and he was happy with them except for thick mud (he has a set of boggers for that).

Anyways...my reco...

Might as well chime in. I ran Truxus M/T's one summer. Next summer they were replaced. I had 3 flats in one month (off-roading). Replaced them with Goodyear MT/R's and never had another flat. Truxus M/T's suck in my opinion. Too thin of a sidewall, definitely not typical Interco tires.

There is a small chance that they have tweeked their design to fix some of these probs since I had them when they first came out. The lesson I learned here is quit trying new tires and go with what is proven....

The lesson I learned here is quit trying new tires and go with what is proven....

Which is why I started leaning toward's just getting some more BFG AT's...then I remembered that I didn't like them when I had a set up in Portland. Then I thought I would run some BFG MT's, then I remembered someone said the rubber isn't as hard anymore. CRAP!

Might just do the MT's anyway since I do like them. I rotated the set I had on my Series One steel rims onto the alloys that are on the LWB.

If you don't mind being conventional, I think BFG M/T's are decent. I have 265/75R16's on the P38 and I recently did 5000km on Autobahn and similar roads as a tow truck. No issues, no signs of wear, no noice problems (may be due to the good insulation in the RR). 255/85R16 should look good on the CC.

But still the French connection, for you flag wavers. :flipoff2:

One other note on the XZL, there is a newer model that has the center lug split, and it has a higher speed rating than the older model. http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/december/tires/255_100_XZL_3.jpg

If you could go with a less aggresive looking tire, the XZY would work perfect under the CC, and you'd easily get 40,000 miles out of it.

Edit: good stuff Here (http://www.prairiedogparts.com/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=38)

One other note on the XZL, there is a newer model that has the center lug split, and it has a higher speed rating than the older model. http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/december/tires/255_100_XZL_3.jpg

If you could go with a less aggresive looking tire, the XZY would work perfect under the CC, and you'd easily get 40,000 miles out of it.

Edit: good stuff Here (http://www.prairiedogparts.com/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=38)

This is exactly the tire I have on the D110. It is also marked 9.00x16, and is within millimeters of the three lug version.

My 2c worth...

I would definitely reccomend the michelins for the CC if you can get them, but otherwise I would go for an AT type tyre, in a 255/85/16 (33" but not common in an AT) or a 285/75/16 (33") - BFG or Goodyear.

For the Serious 1, I would put either: Goodyear MTR's, BFG Krawlers or Maxxis Creepy Crawlers on it.