Posted by Charlie on August 22, 1998 at 22:57:39:
I just installed a 37/12.50R16.5 Michelin XL type M (Hummvee prototype, non-directional block tread) on my 48 B1PW. It's beautiful!. The backspacing is almost stock: it's as deep as it can be with a flat center. If they were to use a dished-in center, similar to stock, they could get the full backspacing. As it is, it's about 1" less than stock, and as a result the outside sidewall of that particular tire is about parallel with the outside of the (stock) fender. It looks good and I think it will work well. The inflation tables for that tire say 3500 lbs/axle at 18 psi. I intend to run them at 25 psi (4500 lb/axle); they max out at 35 psi, 6070/axle. Very easily obtainable are 38/15.50R16.5 Swampers or Mudders. They have similar load/pressure characteristics and run ~$250/tire. The recommended wheel is 9.75 or 12" (I'd go with the 9.75" because 16.5s don't have good bead retention characteristics at low pressures, and narrower wheels help that; also narrower wheels help the ride because sidewalls flex easier. Also, the 38s are actually 37.1" tall, 560 rev/mile. Another tall radial for those of us looking for a way to reduce rpms. I'm looking forwards to the other 4 wheels.
Charlie