Tire Question

My rig currently has 3 different tires, 4 if you count the spare. The spare is 15 12.5 35” and the rolling tires are 15 x 32’s. The gearing is obviously set for the 35’s as first is unusable and I can barely hit 55 in 4th.

I would like to replace the oddballs with more appropriate sized tires. I have always been a fan of tall & skinny tires. What are people running in the 35” range that are tall & skinny. I am not opposed to changing out wheels.

Thanks!

 

Super swamper makes a 34x9.5 tire but the tread is kinda aggressive.

 

Three different tires. So only one of them is the same?

You probably noticed that all the cool kids have tall rims now. 15" tires are apparenty out of fashion. If younare willing to change rims I think your options increase immensely.

 

I believe the trend toward larger diameter wheels is driven more by brakes than anything else. A larger diameter wheel has room for a larger diameter rotor, which is more effective. The standard for braking has increased a lot since the 50s and 60s. To the OP, what are the specs of your Jeep? You may be happier with both a smaller width and smaller diameter tire, depending on what you're working with.

 

Dont confuse me with logic...

 

A few suggestions here....it would be useful to know what the specs are with your rig so folks know what you're working with. First, what are your goals with the Jeep?...having a build plan early saves lots of money later on. These things snowball and choosing tire size is related to many other variables. It's all about a well-balanced set-up.

The 4 speed: If your first gear is "useless", it is likely a truck four speed with a granny gear. Many folks are after that for the off road "usefulness" of a deep low gear in rough terrain. Drive it like a three speed on the street (start in second). If you have a dana 18 t-case it will accept an overdrive unit, and then you can split every gear.

Tire size & Suspension: Sounds like someone threw whatever for tires on there, just to get it rolling cheap. 35's will likely require fender trimming to fit, even with a lift. 33's fit with a typical 2.5" suspension.

Gearing: These old jeeps are often geared low, and Jeep folks who like to go off road want that. What engine do you have, and do you know your ring and pinon (axle) gears? Your final drive coming out of the t-case will be 1:1 (without an auxiliary overdrive).
For example, I drive a 68' CJ5; it has a V6, an SM420 truck 4 speed, 4.88's in the axles, 33" tires and a Warn overdrive. Its a well-balanced, classic-build trail CJ and I'm fine going only 55-60 mph...the thing is 50 years old.

Lastly: There's lots of ways to skin this cat, and there's several proven formulas for success depending on your goals with the Jeep: Resto-mod? Off-roader? Mall Crawler? Keep all original?

 

rock some OG 7.50x16 and be that much cooler

 

Welcome from Michigan. Depending on what axels you have, 55mph is about top speed for a 134 F motor, with the 5:38 gears. I like factory size tires on mine, the 5:38 axels need tall tires to get to 55mph. Good luck

 

Tim,

I get the brake issue, the brakes on this rig suck. Yes I know going to larger tires will compound that issue.

The woman who gave me this Jeep did the tire mix just to keep it rolling. The spare is the 35” Mickey Thompson the others are a mish mash of tires.

This was her husbands hunting rig. It is really well built and in fantastic shape. Outside of new springs and tires it is darn neer perfect. It does have a v-6 and an arb air locker in the rear.

A tall 33 may be a good choice over a 35. I’ll start looking into those...

Thanks everyone for your input. Keep it coming!

 

Once I decode that I’ll have to look into them...

 

James,

I need to do a lot of work to figure out what I have here. It is new to me and I am still in the honeymoon phase with it.

 

Wait, this was free? ARB in the rear, V6, and in great shape? Score! sounds like a 70' or 71' to me, because its gotta have a 30 spline, flanged rear-end with that air locker.

If you indeed have a truck 4 speed, its probably either a T18 or an SM420.

33x10.50's on these short nosed jeeps is a nicely balanced size with around 3-3.5" of lift.

I have non-power discs in the front (dana 30) and it stops quite nicely. Makes a big difference.

Now we need to see pics of your new, old jeep!....

 

I posted a few before but you can never get enough. Not free but a deal I couldn’t pass on...

 

FWIW, the title is ‘65 but I know from viewer here that it is a mix of years...

 

I know this was originally a tire question, but i get i little carried away with a great potential old jeep. I checked out your introductory thread...

That thing has some really desirable upgrades, as you're probably learning. The even fire V6, swing pedals, a truck 4 speed?....

Its probably a twin stick dana 18, so it will take an Overdrive. I'd think with that, and skinny 33's you'll be doing 60 on the highway...and in relative comfort with some suspension work.

...And it has a 30 spline full floater rear axle. With so many upgraded parts from so many places, the r&p gearing could be several different possibilities. 5.38, 4.88, 4.27......You'd have to open it up to know for sure.

 

Thanks for that. The first thing on my current list of things to do is drain and fill the tranny. It’s quite noisy. Yes it is very past due for springs as well. The more I think about it 33’s make good sense to me. This will be used for hunting and that’s about it. No need for monster meats....

 

I have some difficulties to understand how to get the good tyres for my CJ5.
Today I have 4 old Michelin 6.50 x 16.
Old because I know they are cracking, very hard, and one of them cracked.
But I cannot find them in the shop. No more production.
I can get tyre for agriculture, but spee limit is legally 50 Km/h maxi so I cannot use them.
I can find some "new old military" tyres but I wanted an other look.
Do you have an idea of existing tyres available for my rims ?
I see very expensive typres for Jeep, but for wide big rims.
I also find some tyres size 6.00 x 16, what is the difference with 6.50 x 16 ?

 

If you drive the road a lot, I'd suggest looking at radial tires in the 215 size or the 235/85R16 size. Depending on what you want for height. There are tons of options. If you want to look for bias ply tires, look at Coker tire or Miller tire, they are online and have antique style tires in many different tread patterns.

 

For the OP, BFG, General and Interco make tires in the 33/10.50/15 size. Stay with 15 inch trims for the largest sidewall section and offroadability.