A3 Tires (14.50) on an A2 Truck

[JimmyThompson]

I'm looking to get seven A3 "Super Single" tires (14.50 r20) to put on my M109a3 that currently has the standard tires on it now. Do these just bolt right up or is a hub flip required/mandatory for the rear axle?

 

[welldigger]

You will need to flip the hubs if you use a3 wheels.

 

[glcaines]

As Welldigger said, you will need to flip the hubs. The 14.5 X R20 tires are getting in short supply these days. Are you sure you want to go that route? You may want to look at 395s instead of the A3 tires.

 

[JimmyThompson]

395's are unmercifully expensive!!! I'm scheduled to pick-up seven 14.50s wheels & tires (70-80% tread) for $2100. Would you consider that a fair deal?

 

[porkysplace]

What's the date of manufacture on them ?

 

[JimmyThompson]

No idea. What would be an acceptable range?

 

[gimpyrobb]

Can you be sure the tires didn't sit flat?

The tires will destroy themselves if they have! Sitting flat, which happens on most A3 trucks, breaks the belts in the tires.

I would shy away from any A3 tires that are not new.

 

[JimmyThompson]

Hmmm... Y'all have me wondering now!

Where's a good place to get affordable 395's?!!?

 

[Recovry4x4]

There is another alternative for flipping the hubs. The A3 rims can be chamfered on the back side to accept a lugnut. The cost to do this is unknown. Here's a thread showing a truck with A3 wheels and 15.5 tires and the rear rims are reversed.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?28047-A3-Rims-finally-mounted!!!!!&highlight=

 

[welldigger]

I just picked up 7 395's in the 70-80% range for $1260. I picked them up in Hooks TX from a tire dealer there. They will also ship via freight. Don't know how much that would be though. PM me and I can give you the guys #.

Edit: I see your in Georgia. Take a look at www.militaryoffroadtires.net. You may can even do local pick up. That will save you a bunch.

 

[gimpyrobb]

No matter what you do, I would make sure I inspected the tires before you buy them, unless they are NEW. This is one area where things are VERY subjective and "grey areas" abound.

 

[welldigger]

No matter what you do, I would make sure I inspected the tires before you buy them, unless they are NEW. This is one area where things are VERY subjective and "grey areas" abound.

Ditto. Though, a dealer ,I won't specify, sold a buddy of mine a "new" 14.00-20 xzl and it had a gouge in the bead. To be fair it looked new other than this defect. The tire is holding air for now at least.

 

[Ford Mechanic]

Jeez where's that tire size info when I need it..... Wasn't 14.5r20 the same as the 395/85r20 ?

 

[glcaines]

The two tires are different. The 14.5 X R20 is no longer manufactured as far as I know. It is no longer listed by Michelin as a product.

 

[Ford Mechanic]

Thanks, I came across some one who had a couple, just wanted to know the sizes before I went and looked at them.

I found the info I was looking for after searching more, so I'll post it here in case someone else runs into the question

14.5r20=43in
395/85r20=46in

http://www.militarytires.com/

 

[gimpyrobb]

15.5 is about equal to the 395/85r20, its wider, but about the same height.