Bobing an A3. 450 sand trail tires

[tobyS]

I want to bob my A3 and leave the frame full length, then go to 395's or maybe 14.00's or...I bought some of the 450/80/r20 Sand Trail tires and I'm wondering about using them.
They have a steel wheel, 1/2" thickness that I can easily make a weld in adapter to fit the 6 lug (or the ten lug). It would pilot on the front ring, which is 15 5/8".

I would like a tool box (Job box) in front of the bed, which will be an M105. I expect to use the frame section with springs also from the trailer .

These 450's are the same od as a 14.00, but 16" of tread width. I could also use the 14.00 NDCC pictured (I have 7 new ones). And I have chains that fit the 450's.

What do you think about that big Sand Trail tire on an A3 deuce 4x4 ? By the way, the machine they came from is rated to go 50 mph.

 

[tobyS]

I want to bob my A3 and leave the frame full length, then go to 395's or maybe 14.00's or...I bought some of the 450/80/r20 Sand Trail tires and I'm wondering about using them.
They have a steel wheel, 1/2" thickness that I can easily make a weld in adapter to fit the 6 lug (or the ten lug). It would pilot on the front ring, which is 15 5/8".

I would like a tool box (Job box) in front of the bed, which will be an M105. I expect to use the frame section with springs also from the trailer .

These 450's are the same od as a 14.00, but 16" of tread width. I could also use the 14.00 NDCC pictured (I have 7 new ones). And I have chains that fit the 450's.

What do you think about that big Sand Trail tire on an A3 deuce 4x4 ? By the way, the machine they came from is rated to go 50 mph.

Edit. Lockouts would help around town, I'm sure. Maybe I can afford them if I don't have to buy tires and use what I have ( I have enough of either, but no 395's).

Oops, meant to edit

 

[gimpyrobb]

Is there a speed rating on the tires?

 

[tobyS]

Is there a speed rating on the tires?

No...and someone noted a while back that they don't have a US DOT mark. I think the NDCC is DOT approved, but will check them. I started out thinking to use the rims and modify the rim to take a tube for the NDCC 14.00.

The 450's are for the Husky mine clearing vehicle, which says it can go 75 km/hr (46 mph)...made in South Africa.

http://www.armyrecognition.com/sout...hnical_data_sheet_specifications_picture.html

With either tire, these rims would work, I think. They would take the 395's too, when I can afford them.

These rims seem to have the same back space as the A3 rims, so will not be as likely to rub as the MRAP's being used on deuces that are deeper. Here are pictures of an MRAP and these ST tire rims with about 3" difference in front and back space.

What happens if my tires are not DOT marked? It will be farm plated.

 

[rustystud]

I want to bob my A3 and leave the frame full length,

Why would you leave the frame full length ? Are you going to mount something else on this truck besides the M105 bed ?

 

[Recovry4x4]

I want to bob my A3 and leave the frame full length,

Why would you leave the frame full length ? Are you going to mount something else on this truck besides the M105 bed ?

I read that twice thinking the same thing. I think he plans on putting the Jobox between the cab and the bed, kind of like a wrecker tunnel box.

 

[tobyS]

Yes, the tool box will be in front of the bed. Or I might mount my portable welder and a torch set-up there, between the cab and bed. I use big oxy tanks and don't want to have to lift them up very far, so they will mount low, maybe at the spare tire carrier position and perhaps with a lift of some kind. My back can't handle what it used to.

The 105 bed will be flush at the back with the frame. That should leave around 3' between the cab and bed. It makes a little longer wheel base also, but with such big tires, should not look out of proportion.

The bumpers will come off, leaving the pintle receiver exposed for sharper turning without binding.

Re tires, my entire small farm is sand. I have to admit, I like the 14.00 NDCC better than the Sand Trails. If it were a 5 ton, then the Sand Trails all around might be cool, but I think they may be too much for the deuce. And with the amount of welding on the rims with the adapter, the advantage of the nicely balanced 450 tires/wheels would be lost, as they have to be removed and may not be as well balanced as they come new, when re-assembled.

 

[rustystud]

So instead of a "bobber" your going with a "standard truck" correct ?

 

[tobyS]

I'm not sure what the definition of "bobbing" is. If it's removing an axle and making it a 4x 4 then yes, but if the definition includes shortening it, specifically the frame, I'm probably not. I do eliminate some bed overhang when I remove the cargo bed, shortening about a foot I think.

I've almost talked myself into using the rims from the Sand Trail tire/wheel and modifying for the tube type NDCC. I'll need tubes for the bias 14.00x20. (about $65 ea). Those rims have the offset I need for that large of a tire, putting more of it to the outside than the inside, where it may rub when turning.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I have one 1400 tube if that would help.

 

[tobyS]

I can try one before I go for more...I'll call you tomorrow.

 

[rustystud]

I'm not sure what the definition of "bobbing" is. If it's removing an axle and making it a 4x 4 then yes, but if the definition includes shortening it, specifically the frame, I'm probably not. I do eliminate some bed overhang when I remove the cargo bed, shortening about a foot I think.

I've almost talked myself into using the rims from the Sand Trail tire/wheel and modifying for the tube type NDCC. I'll need tubes for the bias 14.00x20. (about $65 ea). Those rims have the offset I need for that large of a tire, putting more of it to the outside than the inside, where it may rub when turning.

The definition of "Bobbing" is shortening is in bobbing the tail of a dog. I personally like the look of a full length Deuce with just the front and rear differentials. I know the military played with this idea. It would give you better mileage and also handle better on turns as you will not have the "scrubbing" effect from the rear wheels being so close together. You do need to move the rear differential further back though. This would actually increase your load capability and towing capacity. The only way the tandem axle would be stronger and have better capacity is in a fifth wheel application. Of course by going with just the 4X4 axles you sacrifice the off-road cargo capacity that the articulated tandems provided. Someday if I ever have the money to play with I would love to buy another deuce and move the tandem assembly further back on the frame more like the M36 and separate the differentials with longer torque rods.

 

[DavidWymore]

I looked at some at my surplus tire guy's once. Sand Trails have a thin flexible sidewall. Should be much better (float) on sand. For some reason I have 30mph limit stuck in my head.

 

[DavidWymore]

I'd love to try some since I run in sugar sand dunes, but wish they were a little smaller.

 

[Karl kostman]

Bobbing the truck means that you cut the frame in order to make it shorter! Based on what I have read all you really doing is getting rid of one axle, I think?
KK

 

[tobyS]

I'm not changing the frame, but the bed is 1' shorter, not going to hang over. So not "bobbing" by frame shortening.

They are the same OD as the 14.00 but have a 16" wide tread and 18" overall width. I'm putting four on MRAP (steel) wheels with 11.25 bolt circle. I'm going to put the NDCC on the ST rims (with a tube and weld in adapter) for the deuce, because of the backspace.

Right now the tires are winning the battle. I can't fully break the bead to get one off the rim and when reassembling on the MRAP, having a hard time drawing together. Today it rained, so now I have water to get out too.

I came to the same conclusion David...that the 450 is too large for the deuce