Posted by Charlie on May 29, 1999 at 22:52:18:
In Reply to: PW wheels posted by Paul on May 29, 1999 at 19:30:51:
Also Stockton rim & Wheel in Calif. They will make 16.5X8.25 or 9.75 or bigger, also 16X6,7,8,10, or bigger (20") in PW bolt pattern. Be sure to remind them several times about the high offset.
Regarding radial tires, there's 38.5X15.50R16.5 in Swamper, Ground Hawg and Mudder. Michelin makes a huge array of very appropriate military off-road radials. For specs check their site. www.michelin.com, go to Truck, then hit "application", then "off-road". They make 9.00R16 (36" tall, 10" wide), 11.00R16 (38.7", 11"), 325/85R16 (38.7, 12.8"), 12.5R20 (40.7", 12.8"), 14.5R20 (43, 14.5), 13.00R20 (45", 14.4"), etc. Most in XL (dirctional mud, rapid wear, noisy, the best there is for wet terrain), some in XS (nondirectional for sand and other dry terrain off-road), some in XZL (nondirectional general off-road, slightly less noisy, longer wearing, best when the rig is going to driven long distances on pavement), and a few in XML (new nondirectional mud, very aggressive, looks rapid wearing, a Dodge with a set of 325/85R16 XMLs and lockers would be unstoppable).
I think 40-41" is the safe limit for the Dodge axle half-shafts. 41-42" is the fitment limit for an unmodified PW or M37. The effect of tire changes on gearing absolutely critical and must always be considered, it's an integral part of a system which includes the motor (used, re-built, or re-powered with a gas V8 or my favorite, a diesel), transmission (+/- overdrive ?!?), axle ratios, and anticipated function and usage.
I just got back from a day trip with some Landcruiser friends. My Michelin 7.50R16 XLs (31.7" tall, 8.2" wide) did OK in non-bottomless mud versus other rigs with the typical 35X12.50R15 M/Ts. Most of the light truck radials are 2 or 3 flimsy polyester sidewall plies with thin rubber in the sidewalls. The radial Swampers and MAYBE the radial Mudders and Ground Hawgs (CHECK!!!) have 2-ply nylon sidewalls and somewhat thicker rubber. All the Michelin truck tires (if it says LT don't buy it, it's too light for an old Dodge real truck) have 1 steel sidewall ply and VERY thick sidewall rubber. I have been using these sorts of tires (originally a set of 7.00R15 X M&S 10PR on my 1st Landcruiser in 1970) for 29 years and 380,000 miles. Never a blowout or disintegration, a total of 5-8 punctures, all slow leakers, from things like railroad spikes, nails, sheetrock screws, etc.
Charlie