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Recommended tire size for m1009 and other related questions

EODTECH90

EODTECH90

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noob here im about to buy my first m1009 on friday and am considering new tires for it, id like for it to look military original-ish but the current tires on it are stock and look a little small id like to do a 4" suspension lift and new tires on the factory rims, off roadness will take a backseat to fuel economy as specialist pay doesent allot me to afford much...sad face
my question is
A. What would you guys suggest for tire size?( looking for fuel economy/ still capable of going down tank trails, as it will likely see use as a daily driver)
B. what is crossover steering?(been looking on the forum i probably missed it but couldnt find a build thread)
C. why crossover steering?
D.whats the suggested brand for aformentioned lift?
E.I plan on putting a 6.5 turbo with a 3 or 4" exhaust will this interfere as looking on another thread the exhaust had to be placed on the outside of the frame?

thank you all in advance[thumbzup]
 
Cucvnut

Cucvnut

Well-known member
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Carver, Oregon
Your trying to do two things with one truck. With the gears you have going to bigger tires and a lift will hurt your fuel economy. You can run 33's stock. Have you ever wheeled your truck stock? If not I would you will be supprised on how well it does stock. As for a lift check out ORD if you want to go crazy or any lift company if your just looking for a lift and your on a budget. Cross over steering takes the stock steering which is push pull and converts it to a left right style useing a 2wd steering box. If you go with 4 inches you should be ok with stock steering if you get in to hard core wheeling look at WFO concepts cross over steering. As for tires go with a all terrian if your going to keep it on the street but do not go bigger than a 35 inch tire or you will start buying axle parts if you wheel it hard.
 
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OL AG '89

OL AG '89

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Kingwood, Texas
Tech90,
Welcome to the site!!!
Drive the 09 for a while and you WILL be surprised how capable the truck is in stock form.....
Once you start adding "stuff" to it, the reliability will decrease.
These trucks were built for the REMF's not the front lines... i.e. (female photographer in FT. Hood, circa 1989 wearing "Tanker's Boots"........) I ran across while doing a "river" crossing with my Cav Troop..... you get the picture.
The tire question is always a matter of opinion. 33's are the biggest without doing a lift, they will run on stock rims, assuming your springs aren't worn out. Also will give you a little more top end on highway without overevving the motor. I fell 65 is very comfortable. I'm running 33x12.5x15 Toyo M/T's.
The turbo, IMHO, is a non-starter. VERY EXPENSIVE for the power increase, also will affect reliability and longevity. The motor is 25+ years old, its been thrashed on a limited basis for that time, one weak link and then you have a great "NON-RUNNING" truck.....

Best bet is to wheel the truck for a while, to learn it's issues, fix those and then start your build.
Good news is you have access to a good autoshop on base, that us non-regs no longer have, and you might meet some "Old Guys" that once worked on these to get extra help.
 
sierrajcharlie

sierrajcharlie

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Farmersburg, Iowa
I've got an oh9 that is "stock". Yeah the 31x10.50's looks small but it gets around quite well. We've gone muddin a few times with it and it does quite well. Mine is used as a dd and only getting around 15mpg. Not quite sure why after reading some people getting 25mpg. I've thought about putting 33's on it, maybe when it needs new rubber but that'll be quite awhile. I don't think they'd help the mileage at all. I'd just run what ya got for awhile before spending a bunch of money on it. Don't know anything about the crossover steering, sure others here will. More power would be nice, but with more power means more parts breaking........ Have fun, they're a blast to go playing with. .2cents
 
Barrman

Barrman

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Giddings, Texas
I am writing this while trying to stay awake at a teacher conference. I drove the 1009 94 miles to get here this morning. 33x12.50 BFG A/T tires on stock rims. Hummed right along at a super comfortable 62 mph.

Those same tires a few months ago had me taking the truck place I don't think my lockered M715 with XZL tires would have gotten. A stock M1009 is extremely capable off road. Just use low range on the hills.

Follow the advice posted above. Drive it and then see what it really needs to have changed for your uses.
 
Westech

Westech

CPL
6,104
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Location
cow farts, Wisconsin
Here is my Last 09 that I built.. All stock besides the 33" mud tires and the 5 inch lift. (Really about a 4.2 inch because of the diesel)
You will be in LOW range all the time when wheeling with stock axles and 33" tires. If you try to do it in high you will over heat the trans and really have NO power to move the truck.

MPG's with the 33 and 308 gears was a solid 22 MPG with tanks of 28 MPG if we took it ez.
 

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snowtrac nome

snowtrac nome

Well-known member
1,674
139
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Location
western alaska
I don't understand why you would need any more than 3 inch exhaust with a 6.2 or 6.5 diesel, its not going to make any more hp. The old gen 1 blocks had more on the interior webbing and were more durable. I understand the full circle rear main seal tended to leak less, I had a 6.2 na in a civi pu that could bark the tires with nothing more than some pump adjustments. If money is an issue my question would be why change what's in there use the money else where like on a steering box reinforcement kit which is almost a requirement for larger tires and a good set of shocks. If the motor is tired, or ventalated than the 6.5 would be easyer to source, but finding one with a mechanical pump will be more work, and you will also have to transfer your tps over so the trans will work right. Good luck I was a spec 4 once to I know how tight things can be, you have a good project to start with and thank you for your service.
 
richingalveston

richingalveston

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galveston/Texas
best deal on a lift is to do the ORD shackle flip and front springs. you keep the stock rear springs. Gives a 2.5 or 4 inch lift depending on the kit you choose.. you need 4 inches to do cross over if you ever want to do the cross over.
The cross over is very nice, allows full steering range off road. hydro assist is even nicer.
with 4 inch lift you can run 37 inch tires no problem.
If you are on a budget and want the lift, do the shackle flip, Don't go bigger than 33 inch tires without an axle upgrade.
The 1009 is pretty good off road as a stock unit. If you plan on doing a lot of off road then you may want to make the changes. If you plan on daily driving it, you may want to keep it stock for a while.
 
Mainsail

Mainsail

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Steel Soldiers Supporter
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Puget Sound, WA
31-10.5R15 tires
Leave it stock.
The axles/diffs are adequate in stock form. (Two words in that sentance are important- adequate and stock.)
As soon as you start drifting away from stock stuff starts breaking and replacements can get expensive.
Might not be the popular opinion.
 
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