yarry23
Member
- 61
- 2
- 8
- Location
- Santa Cruz, CA
Hello all,
The time has come for me to replace the tires on my 1965 M109A3. The current tires I have are the stock 9.00-20 tires that the vehicle came with when I purchased her from Gov.Liquadation five years ago or so. After several trips to the desert they need to be replaced. I had to drive out of Death Valley on two flat tires last time.
I have been trying to do as much research ahead of time so I can determine how to get new tread for my beast without putting myself in the poor house. I have a strong desire to move to larger super singles, both for off-road clearance as well as top speed benefits (long haul to the California coast to the desert at 52 mph). What I have learned thus far is as follows. Please feel free to correct any information I have gotten wrong.
I'm obviously wanting to go with larger super single style tires. I have a few questions that I was hoping I could get some help with. They are as follows:
Thanks guys. Really appreciate this community, and try to espouse the love for the Old Iron as much as possible. My rig gets plenty of attention as it rolls through the desert, and I always try to put a good face on military vehicle enthusiasts where ever possible. So far so good. Appreciate any help you guys can offer as I scrape together the dough to afford some new tread and get the Imperial Car Destroyer back on the road.
~~yarry
The time has come for me to replace the tires on my 1965 M109A3. The current tires I have are the stock 9.00-20 tires that the vehicle came with when I purchased her from Gov.Liquadation five years ago or so. After several trips to the desert they need to be replaced. I had to drive out of Death Valley on two flat tires last time.
I have been trying to do as much research ahead of time so I can determine how to get new tread for my beast without putting myself in the poor house. I have a strong desire to move to larger super singles, both for off-road clearance as well as top speed benefits (long haul to the California coast to the desert at 52 mph). What I have learned thus far is as follows. Please feel free to correct any information I have gotten wrong.
- Current Tires
- are 25 years old
- Are Fidelity 9.00-20s
- Need to be replaced
- Tube type tires
- Current wheels
- Lock ring variety
- I have 11 total, 10 on the vehicle and the spare
- Potential Options:
- 11.00-20 tires
- 395/85R20 Michelin XZL tires
I'm obviously wanting to go with larger super single style tires. I have a few questions that I was hoping I could get some help with. They are as follows:
- Is it possible to mount either the 11.00-20 or XZL tires on my stock wheels?
- Assuming I flip the rear dual and keep it inline with the front
- Saw an older post about odiron doing welding mods to the wheels. Needed for the above tires? Also, they dont seem to be around anymore.
- I've heard horror stories about mounting tires on these split rim wheels. Is this something I can learn to do, or should I have a tire shop mount them? (Would prefer to do it myself, but don't want to kill myself either)
- Move up to a larger tube for these larger tires? If so, what?
- Anyone know of a good source for the above mentioned tires, assuming they'll work? I live in Santa Cruz, CA, so something within driving range would be preferable to I can pickup and save $$$ for shipping a ton of tires. Probably have to rent a U-Haul or something, as my duece is in my driveway with a pair of flats and blown spare tire. **** of a trip home from the desert last time.
- Anything else I should know?
Thanks guys. Really appreciate this community, and try to espouse the love for the Old Iron as much as possible. My rig gets plenty of attention as it rolls through the desert, and I always try to put a good face on military vehicle enthusiasts where ever possible. So far so good. Appreciate any help you guys can offer as I scrape together the dough to afford some new tread and get the Imperial Car Destroyer back on the road.
~~yarry
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