Fun with military tires on an 80...

[CodyLX450]

I scored mine on ebay, they're like new...this guy seems to have tons of tires, all types and sizes and puts a new set of 4 up as soon as each set sells:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mili...9QQihZ011QQcategoryZ66474QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Motorvated]

How are these things in the mud/dirt? May want a set for my XJ if I can find them in 32s.

 

[CodyLX450]

I imagine they'll be great offroad. They have huge sidewall lugs and big chunked center treads.

38.7 is the smallest diameter for this tread, but there are smaller military tires that are somewhat similar tread design

 

[Dirty Harry]

They look like new because they are harder than a diamond! It takes a military vehicle to make an FJ80 look light, but those tires are made to hold 10 ton vehicles. I doubt that you will even need to carry a spare now, but you might need to bring a kidney belt because they are super stiff. You are right about them being aggressive and imagine that they work OK off road but they don't flex and conform to the terrain at all and the tread is very hard.

Props for pushing the envelope and trying something different though! :clapsmile

 

[CodyLX450]

I never aired down my 35s on the trails everyone else aired down on...so I'm used to the fully aired up tire action on the rocks.

Altho the Fed Ex weight said 116lbs...I don't think they're THAT heavy. I only 10lbs heavier than that myself...and I didn't have much issue putting all 4 of them in the back of the 80 when I was taking them to the tire shop for install.

I'll be ordering a 5th tire so I have a matching spare...but I don't see myself putting that on the roofrack....unless it fits! :cow:

 

[Motorvated]

Hmm...Do you have a link to aything that would resemble a 32 inch tire? Im not ready for 38s lol:safari-rig:

 

[Dirty Harry]

38s are actually considered the "small" XMLs. They come in 48" and 53" sizes!

You might be able to find some XLs or XCLs in a 7.50-16, which is the equivalent of a narrow 32" tire.

 

[CodyLX450]

On MilitaryTires.com, the smallest diameter I see is 36.1 (altho they don't list a diameter for the 6.50R16...)

 

[CodyLX450]

And.........onto project #2 for this weekend....

I almost like the terrible colors... :cow:

The metal tape makes life a lot easier...

The brackets on the back doors were a huge PITA even trying to drill them out.

 

[Dirty Harry]

What exactly are you using this vehicle for? Rockcrawling? Expedition use? Daily driving? Picking up chicks?

 

[CodyLX450]

A little of each...

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Cody: Have you wheeled with these yet? You're going to have to bump-stop your suspension big time. Looks great though you might have created a "wheel lifter"? Please report back after wheeling.

Also.....good thing your LX didn't come with factory lockers. ARB's will work better and safer for these meats. Did you add the ARBs yet?

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Oh, and you can adjust your turn-stops in minutes so you don't rub at full turn. (Though it cust down on your radius some)

 

[CodyLX450]

I won't be wheeling with these until I have a bodylift installed and possibly some more suspension lift.

As it sits, when I turn right off the road into my driveway and go over the little curb while turning, I get slight touching in the front wheelwell on the right...the backside of that one.

I haven't ever changed the bumpstops on my truck from stock yet, even with the 35s...but I'm sure it will require something along those lines.

 

[toyrunner95]

i hate to tell ya but up here in the NW we have been using those for a few years, most of the hardcore trail guys run the 44s or 45s, they are perfect because the sidewall and the tread, but of course all the guys that run them have trailer queens. i run 35s on my little truck and i think i have about the smallest tires in my club. but i do well enough.

honestly i cant believe that you fit a 38 on an 80! did u have to do any trimming?