Aussie goat needs new shoes

[PointnShoot4WD]

I know there was a bloke in qld that was having moulds made to produce 10.50r18s as a last resort.

I could live with 10.5's, any idea what sort of tread he was planning?

The China option is tantalising, but even without shipping it's being difficult, even thought of trying to import as a commercial deal in seatainer quantity. Be ****ed if I'd know where to start though... Or store them, assuming an adequate local market exists.

 

[PointnShoot4WD]

What do ya know, I'm not completely delusional yet - Marmon Herrington #3 gun tractor... 11R18 tyres.
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16646

 

[Aussiecowboy]

He was planning bar treads from memory, I'll try to find his number again. Might be worth contacting the bloke in Vic and finding out where he got them.

 

[Aussiecowboy]

I've sent you a message dmetalmiki, definitely interested.

 

[PointnShoot4WD]

Footwear options update...

Mob up in Kuranda have been running a rainforest DUKW tour for ever, rang them to see where they source their rubber from and got told they had changed the rim size to a commercially available unit... recent discussion with Adelaide Wheel Works suggests this is not a "hard" option and there seems to be some reasonable tread patterns in the 10R20 range (although 16 ply equivalent!), or i notice Cooper have released an STT Pro in 40x13.5R17 with a "C" load rating (6 ply) which may be doable with a more modified rim required.

Going to pop a rim and get on the phone with tape measure and camera with them when i'm back in town to work out a plan of attack.

Spock

 

[Aussiecowboy]

I bit the bullet and bought new tyres from the states, arrived a few weeks ago, just need to find someone to fit them now.

 

[combat32]

It is hard heavy work to mount them yourself, but it is doable, i have 2 tires coming soon just gonna do it myself cause i am too cheap to pay someone.

 

[Aussiecowboy]

I'd like to do the myself and save a few bucks but I'm unsure whether to run tubeless or add tubes as recommended by the manufacturer, so will see expert help.

 

[combat32]

Good call, would like to see some pictures of your new tires, i will probably be forced to buy one or two new ones eventually. These are the dukw tires i presume.

 

[Aussiecowboy]

I'll post pictures when I get them fitted, they are the dukw tyres. I looked at every option I could find but couldn't find anything that would work. Mickey Thompson used to make a 40x12.5r18 but they are it of production now.

 

[Aussiecowboy]

Well I have a freshly shod goat. We decided to go tubeless but tyre place couldn't couldn't get the beads to expand out on to the rim, ratchet straps and bead blaster didn't help. In the end I had to collect the unmounted tyres and do it myself with aerostart and a gas torch, a bit of messing around but got there in the end. They look pretty good, they balloon a bit in the sidewalls at the 25lb of pressure I have in them at the moment, but I want to see how it rides before I play with the pressures. I still would have preferred a more conventional mud terrain pattern but as we all know that's not a viable option.

 

[combat32]

Looks great!

 

[Aussiecowboy]

First impressions are good on the new tyres, at 25lbs the ride is no worse than before, new supple 12 ply tyres about the same as hard old 6 ply I think. Found some mud and water to test them out, huge traction digging forwards but like all NDT tyres they slide sideways fairly easily.

 

[combat32]

Can you air them down 15 pounds or so, thats what we did in the army

 

[Aussiecowboy]

I see no reason why not. I'll have a play with pressures soon.

 

[combat32]

They might do some better but from memory it don't make a huge difference, its about the only option though unless you want to spend a go zillion dollars on custom rims.

 

[PointnShoot4WD]

I'll post pictures when I get them fitted, they are the dukw tyres. I looked at every option I could find but couldn't find anything that would work. Mickey Thompson used to make a 40x12.5r18 but they are it of production now.

Yokohama Geolandar MT plus were a 40x13.5R18 from memory, but also out of production.

Seems to be a number of manufacturers running 40 on a 17" rim, but doesn't help us i suspect.

 

[m38inmaine]

Tires look great, I suspect the 10 ply DUKW tires were a bit tougher to expand on to the bead, good job.