68 Unimog 404 Restomod

[dougco1]

Those tires are more aggressive than what's on my Kubota tractor.
How are they for over the road at some speed?

 

[SuperMochombo]

Just drove about 30 miles, through Albany and out into the Berkshires with 40psi. Road hum about the same as the Continentals. I didn't go faster than 40 mph, and at that speed it feels smooth but swimmy. It's too soon to tell but I think these tires will do ok for me. I rarely go faster than 45, and have only been at 55 once for a short burst down a hill. I didn't try to push it that fast with these tires yet.

First impression is positive, but time will tell. Maybe I will hate em. They feel heavier somehow, not sure what gives that impression. I did find myself grabbing gears going up hills where before I could make it up in a higher gear.

 

[SuperMochombo]

A few things about changing these tires: tubes in 404 tires is common, even with tires labeled "tubeless" and when I took the first bead off the first tire I discovered mine came with tubes. The Maddox tool I bought for changing truck tires isn't meant for tubes. It can easily damage them when popping the first bead. I took pains not to and succeeded three out of four times.

You can change these tires with 36" spoons. I made do with the Maddox roller spoon I broke and a pry bar with the edges ground smooth. The local tractor supply has nice ones but pricey. I'm looking for a pair.

Windex works great as tire lube, but the real deal has to be better. My local auto parts place didn't have any, so looking for that too.

The tube I patched didn't hold so I ordered one. But I'm out on assignment so I have to keep rolling. Trying fix a flat before trying to patch it again. I'm currently going from 40 to 20 psi in a half hour of driving. Hoping to extend the time between air ups.

 

[SuperMochombo]

Fix a flat did not work. But no matter, I have a spare tire and in it a spare tube. So when I get my hands on truck tire irons, I will swap them out.

I should have thought of the spare before wasting my time with fix a flat.