235/85R16 on narrow rims

Hi

I've done endless research on this topic but have yet to find the answer.

I want to put 235/85R16 tires on KH 16x5 rims. I have read general references to this size tire without specific reference to the rim width that was used. I have read a couple references to people using these tires on 16x4.5 rims, but no info on how well they worked or looked. Manufacture specs require 6-7" rims.

Can anybody share their experience using these tires on rims narrower that 6"? I know they will fit, I just do not know how well they will work (safe) or how they will look. I hope to use them on a stock '61 cj5 w/2.5" lift. 215/85R16 is my default size is 235's will not work well on the rims.

Everybody loves pics!

Thanks

 

i friend has 235/85-16 on the stock 5x16 rims, looks ok and is drivable onroad......no expirience offroad.
i try to get a picture

gerald

 

I imagine they would look a little "bulgy".

I run 235/75/15 on 15x8s, so I believe I have the "opposite" effect.

When I air my tires down, the sidewalls sag quite noticeably, since the tire is narrow for the wheels I use. This has caused the rubber to crack near the bead.

Could this be possible on a narrower wheel, except with the tire being too wide for the wheel?

 

235-85-16 is a truck tire, normally a 10 ply and usually used on trucks. I have a set on a 3/4 ton 88 suburban that is often loaded down. It rides fine. But I have always wondered how a 10 ply tire would work on a 1/4 ton jeep. Seems overkill.

I have 3 215-85-16 tires that are 8 ply and I have thought if I find a few more 16" jeep rims (and another tire) I could use them. But even 8 ply tires make me wonder...

By the way, one of the 215s was on a jeep rim. The rim came off a willys truck so I think it's a 5.5" wide. It looked great and I think a 235 would look good too. But that's with the widest of the old style jeep 16" rims

 

The KH 5 x 16 is the heavy duty wheel option for early CJ's.
I consider them to be the ultimate Jeep wheel for use with early CJ's having narrow tires.
I have a set myself but have not bought tires for them yet.
Personally I prefer my rim width to be a lttle narrower than the the width recommended by the tire manufacturer.
I prefer about 1" narrower rim than is commonly recommended.
As you know a narrowed rim will cause the tire to slightly bulge at the tread center.
That's really ideal if you plan to run slightly lowered tire pressures as you should consider.
Let's face it, lightweight jeeps need a low tire pressure due to the low GVWR.
Extra tire sidewall buldge will also help to protect the wheel rim flanges.

What specific brand of tires are you considering ?
I suggest 6 ply rating if you can find them.

 

I am planning on a 4.5X16 wheel as well and have been looking at the Specialty Tire - STA Super Transport, 6.50 x 16LT LA134. this is a 6 ply tire.

http://simpletire.com/specialty-tires-of-america-6.5016lt-la134-tires

Any experience?

 

The Kelsey Hayes 4.5 x 16" wheel is the CJ standard from 1945 through 1962.
I also have a couple sets of those wheels.
One set is equipped with 10 ply rated 6.50 x 16" Michelin XCL Military tires.
Like these: http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt...in+xcl&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-900

The other is equipped with new STA 6.50 x 16" Super Traxions.
IMHO the Super Traxion tires are unquestionably the best all around tire currently available for use with the 4.5" wide rims.
The 6 ply rating is optimum in my experience.
Search: "Universal Vintage Tire"

In general the 6.50 x 16 tires are a tad smaller diameter than I consider to be optimum for use with CJ's.
Actual mounted and measured tire diameter is about 30" tall for the STA's when the tread is new.
Due to the size of the rear wheel house opening I consider a 31 inch tall tire to be optimum.
That implies the suggested ideal wheel is the 5" x 16" heavy duty KH for those who like narrow tires.
As you know the narrow tires are much superior for use with stock type Ross steering systems.

 

Delete duplicate post !

 

Thanks for all the input.

The jeep is a resto-mod so a tall narrow tire profile is desirable. I long considered a bias ply tire, such as the STA's, but decided the performance of a radial was more inline with my intended use. The only reason I went with a lift was because the original springs were shot, so I went with a modern spring design (BDS 2.5") that would afford a bit more articulation and hopefully a smoother ride. I do not want to go over the optimal ~31" size, while still filling the wheel wells out.

I am considering Treadwrights do to their value, a few good reviews I have seen and the nice appearance they have on an early CJ5 (https://www.treadwright.com/p-28-235-85r16-crawler-m-t-e.aspx). They are a truck tire and I would expect to run them at lower pressure. This seems about the best compromise between achieving the optimal tire size for early CJ's, utilizing the benefits of a radial and maintaining the tall narrow profile.

The 215/85R16 I have sits right at 29.5 inches with worn tread. The 235/85R16 should give an extra inch or so to fill the wheel well out a little better.

I have researched all the pros and cons of narrow and wide rims with respect to the tire that is mounted. Although this is a popular tire size, I haven't read much about real world experience or seen photos of 235/85R16 on 5" wide rims.

Thank you Ken, it sounds like your experience/preference is inline with what I am considering.

Any other input would be appreciated.

 

I made a mistake on my previous post and the rim I have is a 5x16, not a 5.5x16. The 215 85 16 I had on there looked great. I believe a 235 would look just as good. Air it down and the 10 ply tire would obviously ride better.

Tire Rack has a website and you can plug in different tire sizes to get the specs. For 235-85-16, the diameter is 31.7"; for the 215s, it's 30.5".

The 215s are basically the same height as the 700-16 NDCCs I have on the M38A1. They all fill the wheel well fine, but a 235 would probably look even better.

Another thing: have you considered the weight of the 235s? They are heavy- the extra plies come at a price. I recently was at a Firestone dealership, getting the 215s removed from rims (I found them in the yard at picknpull for 15 bucks each but had to get the rims removed and returned for credit. 2 of the 3 reside under the suburban now). While waiting I looked at some 225-75-16 winter tires. I couldn't believe how light they were (31# versus 47# for the 235-85-16s) they were a 50 psi tire. The price was very good too. But that's a huge weight difference multiplied by 4 especially at the corners like that. That kind of difference would have to be noticeable in driving, steering, etc.

My point is, there are many ways of getting the height on a tire without going to a truck tire. And on a 1/4 ton jeep, the 235s will probably rot off before wearing out.

 

Yes the standard P.U. wheel was the exact same as the optional HD wheel used on pre 1963 CJ's.
KH never made a 5.5 x 16 rim for any Jeeps.

I find the manufacturers stated tire diameter to always be overstated and in error.
A tire designated to be 32" diameter is invariably closer to 31" diameter.
You really need to mount and inflate them before you can tell for sure.

 

i run 235 85 16 they measure a tick over 32" tall on old stock steel wheels 5"wide. fierce attitude brand tires 10 ply at 22 psi nice contact patch and excellent wear. have run as little as 8 psi off road with no ill effects. the only concern i have is the lack of an inner bead ridge in the tube type rim but haven't had an issue as of yet.

 

Interesting; how do they ride on the roads and trails?

 

I had 33x9.50x15s on stock 5.5" rims. Looked and worked ok. The tread was crowned from the skinny rims. I ran 20-25 pounds to help reduce it.
Did some wheeling and road driving and it worked fine.

 

Huh, looks like me working on your Jeep, I wonder when I was over there?

What trail are you on?

We used to 4x4 off of the Buckhorn road, a little hard to get to right now, we haven't heard if they've rebuilt any of it yet.

 

they ride fine(as well as a cj can) and are wearing beautifully, i tend to wheel the woods ranging from sharp granite to soupy mud with plenty o sharp pointy sticks. have nothing negative to say about the tire.they have lasted two seasons and commute me to work daily. would/will buy another set

 

Good to hear the 235s work on jeeps. Opens up some possibilities. I'll probably take those 215-85-16s and put them on jeep rims (once I find a few more). The tires are 8 ply

 

Middle St. Vrain west of Camp Dick, at the foot bridge, just west of the steep climb called the "cut off" to get to the top.
A lot of us old fat guys are starting to look alike.

 

Too true.