tires and locker upgrades?

[Nullifier]

So just for my own interest. What size tires can you guys run on these things and are there locker options or do you have to run open diffs?

I see the 235/85/16 is an E load but with a rating of 3042 @ 80 psi would it be beneficial at all to go to a 255/85/16 with a 3000 @65 psi rating? I know these trucks are heavy so for better offroad traction what do you do?

 

[charlieaarons]

A company called Locked Drive Systems in Australia can provide NoSpin (Detroit Locker) diffs for Mitsubishi truck diffs, I believe that includes the FG, but you'd have to contact them. For the front: whose axle is it?
Re tires: for increased load the best choice is 7.50R16 Michelin XZY load range G, 3305 lb @ 100psi single, 3195lb dual.
A 255/85R16 offers no load increase and might rub each other in the rear.
Offering some increased load and much better traction but still a fit is the Michelin 8.25R16 XZL, 3195 lb at a mere 65psi, with heavy duty traction tread and the same width as a 235. It is over 6% taller at 34.0", sucking torque down but increasing tread length.
With duals in the rear you can't go wider; how much taller you can go depends on power/gearing considerations.

Charlie

 

[haven]

no spin

I'd try to avoid downgrading from load range E to D. You give up sidewall strength. The stock 235/85R16 tires provide decent traction and last about 40,000 miles when driven on gravel roads regularly.

The Fuso FG has a limited slip differential in the rear as standard equipment. Here's the address for the Australian company Charlie mentioned
http://www.locked-drive.com.au/

 

[Nullifier]

Thanks for the feedback. These rigs are getting more and more attention from me. Oh if you could only get a Crew Cab in the U.S.

 

[dhackney]

Lockers:

As of 24 July, 2006, Locked Drive Systems did not make a locker or limited slip for the front axle of the FG.

As mentioned, the rear is a factory limited slip.

I did not pursue having a custom axle/differential made for either the front or rear due to worldwide parts and availability requirements for our utilization.



Tires:

I lost a lot of sleep worrying about the tires. I did a lot of research.

I've got a comparison page of the options at: http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/docs/yokohama-michelin-comp.pdf

Links to manufacturer's data sheets here:
http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/index-chassis-photos.htm

As of Spring 2007 sourcing the Michelins new in the U.S. was a challenge. I was planning on shipping them over from the U.K.

We had a good thread regarding the FG tire discussion over on ExCamp, but the link is currently dead. http://www.expeditioncampers.com/php...opic.php?t=237

Based on my rough measurements, there will probably be some clearance issues in the front if you go with the larger tires. Almost certainly with the plastic trim piece that forms the outer fender trim and possibly the steering link on the driver's side. Nothing that you can't overcome.

In the end I stayed with the stock tires and run a little more pressure due to our weight. I am trading some ride quality and tread wear for the convenience of the stock size.

We're at 16k miles and tread wear is good.

 

[Redline]

Are the 8.25R16 XZL treads available in the USA?

A company called Locked Drive Systems in Australia can provide NoSpin (Detroit Locker) diffs for Mitsubishi truck diffs, I believe that includes the FG, but you'd have to contact them. For the front: whose axle is it?
Re tires: for increased load the best choice is 7.50R16 Michelin XZY load range G, 3305 lb @ 100psi single, 3195lb dual.
A 255/85R16 offers no load increase and might rub each other in the rear.
Offering some increased load and much better traction but still a fit is the Michelin 8.25R16 XZL, 3195 lb at a mere 65psi, with heavy duty traction tread and the same width as a 235. It is over 6% taller at 34.0", sucking torque down but increasing tread length.
With duals in the rear you can't go wider; how much taller you can go depends on power/gearing considerations.

Charlie

 

[charlieaarons]

Yes, I have purchased sets twice in the US. They probably can be sourced easily out of Europe or the UK. typical Michelin car tire dealers in the US will not usually be helpful; then try a truck tire dealer. The MSPN # is 46526.
They are not cheap. They are just about exactly the same width as 235/85R16s but are 2.1" taller and give 153 lb more load capacity single per tire, 300 lb more load capacity dual per tire (1200 lb more for the rear axle, 306 for the front). They also have a 10% larger tread footprint than 235s.
Load range G (14 ply) 7.50R16 XZYs have even more load capacity (260 lb single, 420 lb/tire dual compared to 235s) and thicker sidewalls = more puncture resistance, less flotation at lower psi, 8% smaller footprint than 235s.

Charlie

 

[39Ronin]

Please share any thoughts on these.
http://www.stausaonline.com/light-truck/superlug.html
They seem to be a good tire from what I have read on other forums. I would like to see them in person first. Anyone know a dealer in the Pacific North West?

 

[haven]

superlug

These tires would not be my first choice. They appear to be too wide to safely mount as dual rear tires on the Fuso unless a spacer is added between the rear wheels (bad for the axle bearings).

The extra diameter compared to the stock tires will effectively raise your gearing. This would lower RPMs at highway speed, but could make it difficult to propel a full load.

Chip Haven

 

[39Ronin]

I wouldn't mind larger tires to help with my gearing. I have a Japanese FG and it is at 3000 RPM at 80 Km/h. What can the maximum width for the rear tires be without fitting a spacer?

 

[charlieaarons]

The 8.25R16 XZLs would be a much better choice than bias ply 9.00-16s. They are intermediate in diameter between 7.50R16 and 9.00R16 but the same width as 235/85R16 so there are no fit problems with the duals. Your motor can tolerate the 6% decrease in gearing much better than a 12% change. And the load capacity of the 8.25s is higher. If you want a high load capacity "super single" consider the 325/85R16 XML (5070 lb) but you absolutely have to regear, they are 21% taller; and I don't know if gears are even available for the FG. LDS would likely know.

Charlie

 

[spencyg]

I would love to get source information (either in the U.S., or overseas (english speaking)) for the 8.25R16 XZL's. I haven't been able to find them ANYWHERE!!! I hear the Canadian military uses them on their G-Wagons, but I can't find a source of surplus Canadian military tires either....

Spence

 

[charlieaarons]

I gave you the inventory #. Go to a Michelin truck tire dealer and try to order 5 or 6. I have purchased 8 over the years.
If that doesn't work for some reason they can be obtained from Europe.

Charlie

 

[KEENO]

Update: Lockers for Fuso

I ran across this thread while "searching" Lockers for FUSO:

Here's the latest update from Locked Drive Systems in Australia:
http://www.locked-drive.com.au/

"We have NoSpin units avail. for The Fuso Canter with Diff Code D033 - 18 Spline axle
or D035 - 20 spline axle.

These NoSpins utilise the vehicle's existing 'open' style hemi case - they will not fit into a LSD case.

Nothing avail. for the front.

Cheers

Claus"

 

[Tom_D]

Limited slip and tires

I have found the stock limited slip to work well in all the conditions I have run my camper. Climbing in loose gravel or slick dirt have never been a problem. Of course my rig has lots of weight on the rear as well. I have not used the rig in ice and snow.

I fitted a new set of tire for this year's trip (I leave tomorrow AUg 1). I got a good deal on a set of Tempra (cooper) Trail Cutter RTs. 235/85 R16 E load range. They seem to have a good tread pattern and the price was low.

I have only about 25 miles on the tires so far. I will report on their performance when I return in late Sept. I paid just under 1300 USD for 8 tires balanced and mounted.

I'll have to download a picture of the rig when I get back -- Two 17 foot Sea Kayaks loaded on top... 12 feet tall... very tall...

Tom