Tire Size

I'm about 80% complete on a frame off restoration of my 66 CJ5. I have a 2 1/2" suspension lift on her right now. My question is this: I'm going back with the original 16" rims, but I can't decide on the size of the tire. What do y'all think about the 7.50x16 military square tire? It's supposed to stand 32.5" fully inflated according to kaiserwillys.com. I want it to have a nice "stance", not like some I see where the tire fills up the entire wheel well. Would the 7.00x16 suit her better(~30.5" tall).

 

I had 7.00x16 on my jeep pickup. They are pretty tall-and-skinny looking compared to what most people are used to seeing today.

You mention "restoration," but you have a 2-1/2" lift. What 'look' are you going for?

 

hallo my cj5 68 have 7.5x16 (firestone sat) on 6x16 rims et0 , old leaf + revolver shackle= +1 inch

 

greg74, thats a good looking jeep. Thanks for the pic. I think the 2 1/2" lift will be adequate to fit the 7.50's.

PeteL, I say "restoration" just in the sense of rebuilding it. Maybe its the wrong word to use. It's back to what I would call 75% original, except for the lift (2 1/2"). I lifted it to get a little larger tire underneath. Just wanted everyone's opinion on whether the taller 7.50's would fit underneath and still have room in the fenderwell.

I'm a work right now, but will post a pic later today.

 

Probably okay on height but without extra offset my guess is you'd get some side rubbing on the front springs at full steering lock. Maybe on the inside top of the rear fenders when twisting.

I think "restoration" usually is taken to mean returning to original specs. (6.50x16 tires for instance) Maybe "rebuilding" is more accurate in your case?

 

With a 2.5" lift, you should not have any trouble with the 750-16 fitting it into the wheel well. And I don't think you'll have any trouble with the rear wheel wells.

But PeteL is probably right that you'll risk rubbing the front springs on a turn. If it happens, you can tighten the stop screws or go to a Dana 30.

My A1 has stock 700-16s on it and they aren't any too big looking. The 750s would be better but not with a stock suspension.

I don't think the mil tires were ever put on a 66 CJ5. Others can tell you what size the stock tires were.

 

you could also run 215/85x16 (31") and 235/85x16 (32"+) tires. they will be E-rated and hav stiff sidewalls so you'll need to air them up based on the weight of your jeep when it's all done. i ran the 235's on my Geo Tracker which is lighter than a cj. 25psi on the road and down to 5-8psi on the trails and it rode well.

 

2.5" and 7.50 NDCC's are my plans as well, mostly to help offset the low gears in the axles and be more drive able on the street with an EFI 2.3, and to look a little more bad a$$ lol

 

Hi, Where could I buy some 7.50x16 NDCC´s?

I have 12year old worn down (they had a good life haha) 7.00x16 NDT currently on my 1972 jeep with original suspention and all and when at full wheel lock while stopped i can barely fit my hand between the tyre and the jeep, and sometimes worry about rubbing if I go from 7.00 to 7.50... but i think it might be ok, i just want the wheel arches to look more filled out like theyre supposed to!

 

Hi, Where could I buy some 7.50x16 NDCC´s?


For instance…

Vintage Military Tires | Vintage Truck Tires | Coker Tire®
750-16 STA Military NDT Tire


Those shackles look awful long for "original" suspension, at least in that photo.

 

What axels do you have in your Jeep makes a difference too you know. I have 3:73's in mine and taller tires kill the power on the road. If you have 5:38's or 4:27's the taller tires will work well. My Jeep had tall tires with 15 X 8.5" wheels and 4:27 gears in it when I bought it, it was hard to steer and rode rough. I now have 3:73 axels and 7.50 X 15" tires on 15 X 7" wheels, it drives a lot better. The smaller tires have a smaller patch area on the road and it steers a lot easier.

 

I did a look for 7.50x16 Tire and ran across these:

Light Truck Hot Deals | Nebraska Tire

Hercules tire company discontinued the NDT 7.00x15 (also had in 7.50x16) I bought.

 

They look just like what used to run on my Willys-Overland jeep pickup years ago. Cool.

 

The 16" rims were not standard for 1966 jeeps.
15 x 5.5" rims were the 1966 CJ service standard.
7.50 x 16 STA tire tend to run much taler than some other brands like the Firestone 7.50 x 16" NDT's.
I don't believe your 2-1/2" spring lift will help any when running tall skinny tires.
I believe the tallest narrow tire you can run with zero rubbing issues will be the 7.00 x 16" STA NDT's.
I have 6.50 x 16" STA on a stock standard 3B.
The 6.50 x 16" STA Super Traxions are listed asc 30" tall yet are actually 30.25" tall.
650-16 STA Super Traxion Tire

I much prefer Rzeppa axle shafts partly because they allow increased steering angle as compared to other front axle shafts.
Bendix = 23*
Spicer = 27.5*
Rzeppa = 29*

Here is a pic of the STA Super Traxions on a 3B at the maximum steer angle of 29*

If you look past the lower zerk you can see how 29* steer angle allows The STA tire to barely touch upon the front leaf spring.


7.50 x 16" tires will definately rub the front leaf springs at full steer .
And at full stuff they will have very slight rubbing inside the rear wheel house.
Those issues are regardless of your spring lift.

 

Good pic of your Jeep. Welcome from Ga. Might tell us something about you and Jeep in introductions.

 

235/85x16 tires rub in my stock '59 CJ5.