9.00 16 Tyres

I now have Three simex tyres and two are fitted on the front.
Impressions so far is.
Slight improvement in ride.
Steering is slightly lighter than the bar treads.
30 psi tyre pressure so far seems about right, in than it is the maximum pressure than keeps all of the tyre in contact with the road.
Above 30 psi and the tyre starts running on the centre part of the tread.
Off road grip is extremely impressive and I havent tried dropping pressures to increase grip.( no need to so far )
They took alot of lead to balance , but are running smoother than the bar treads.
I now have over 11 inches of clearence under the front diff centre.
Quieter than the bar treads.
Better in everyway, except I expect these tyres are too full on to get good wear on tarred surfaces.
Simex do not appear to make a less full on off road tyre in the size required for a 101 landy.
Alot more rubber on the road means much less tyre pressures are used all round.
I can not get the last tyre soon enough as they are a general improvement all round to the old bias tyres and with solf side walls compared to the old tyres the simex should be a real trick with 20 psi and real off road work.
Ron

I agree - tyre pressures should be reduced - the old rule that wear in the centre means to high tyre pressures and wear on the outside means to low tyre pressures.

The Simex is a big tyre and the 101 is relatively low weight so tyre pressures can be reduced.

I also have been looking at tyres and at 36" Simex seems to be the only option. There are virtually no 36" tyres but lots of larger 37" however these are mostly comp tyres and really not suitable for some road use as well unless you are rich and can afford to replace them regularly. I can get the Simex for a reasonable price but I am not sure they will wear well on a 101 and may be just a tad too large for my vehicle - noting the 24v engines have 4% less power and I have an additional alternator so will be loosing a couple of horses there as well.

I measured my half worn MRFs and they are only 33.8" and my bar tread spare (in good condition) is only 34" so in reality 9.00x16s are 34" not 35".

As a result I have been looking at a lot of 35", 315/75/16 tyres - all these come in around 34.5" or around 880mm rolling diameter. There are a lot of tyres at varying prices. Maxxis Big Horns MTs have a good reputation and are getting 60-80,000km from a set, but are at the smaller end but still about the same rolling diameter as the original 9.00 16s. These would probably suit my engine characteristics better than 36" tyres. They are also a lot cheaper at about $340 fitted and I can keep my old wheels and tyres as spares if needed.

I also think a radial is a must which the Big Horns are - I was down in the Tom Groggan area and the tight steep turns on the bitumen on the Alpine way really tested the MRFs and had them squealing a lot and understeering on the tight bends. Radials would have been much better.

I have new wheels to go on and I had them made in 16x8 but on reflection I should have gone 17x8 as there are lots of nice tyres in both MT and AT in 35" tyres.

Mickey Thompson Bajas Claws are off the list - bumped into a couple of D2s and an F250 with them and the drivers all said the same - great offroad but the rubber just peels off them in the bitumen and they are getting very low KMs.

Just some thoughts

Garry

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Originally Posted by garrycol

I have new wheels to go on and I had them made in 16x8 but on reflection I should have gone 17x8 as there are lots of nice tyres in both MT and AT in 35" tyres.

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Looking on Tirerack.com the other day I made this observation also. There seems to be a lot more tyres around the 35" mark for 17's now compared to 16's. But saw very few 36" tyres, it seemed the next available size was 37".

Tire Search Results


Very tempted to get new rims made up myself if I can get 2 sets of normal 35" tyres from the US for the cost of a set of XZL's. Still a while off me having to worry about yet though :(

Just came back from a bit of a tyre test.
The ride improvement is worth while and the noise level is about the same as the bar treads now with all four tyres fitted.
Slight drop in crusing engine revs.
I tried a emergency stop on a blue metal road and instead of a bit of a skid the tyres bit in and in the end the brakes are the weak link now.
Handling is improved on tarred and gravel roads.
My 101 at the limits on a tarred road corner would want to dig in(front outer) and try and lift the inside rear, now its much safer and harder to get into trouble.
Off road is a whole new world.
I think I may go down to 25 psi on road and see what happens.
I need to fit rubber flap over the rear tyres.
I am very happy........and stuff it I will get some more for spares I dont care if they wear quick.
Ron

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Originally Posted by 101 Ron

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Ron - you need to paint your wheels in cam - the olive drap does not match the Cam.

garry

Oh - nice tyres.

I have done the rear rubber flaps on the back wheel arches.
I have purposely done it in the same way as the original front ones , so it looks standard and its easier to fit up.
The pics compare front and rear rubber wheel arch extension flaps.
I should be all legal now.
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I have now settled for 25 psi highway pressure for these tyres with the 101.
I measured in the real world the diameter.......35 inch.

One thing that did happen is ..........around the farm I usually drive around the paddocks of the farm with the top half of the sides hinged down.
The side gates are designed to do this without unhooking from its pins.
The side gate now just doesnt quiet clear the tyre tread and I buffed off some paint.
The rear rubber extensions should stop this now.

All look good Ron. I have been looking at a lot of tyres and I have come to the conclusion that 17" rims are the old 16" as there are far more tyres in 36 and 37" in that size.

Your Simex would seem to be the only tyres available in 36" to fit 16" rims. Some 37s but for the standard engine are a bit big and cost big dollars.

Plenty of tyres in 35" but most are 34 and a bit in real terms - why do manufacturers claim there tyres are bigger than they are - and that is before they have worn - a supposed 35" tyre will be about 33" when it has finally worn down.

Ron you need to get plenty of miles up so you can tell us all if they are worth getting for the long term.

Cheers

Garry

Ron,

When are we going to see some vids and pics of your 101 in action with your new tyres?

You can get the vid yourself next winter rallie.
Bite the bullet and get the Simex, they will not be any worse than the MTRs sand pattern and if you look the centre of tyre it is similar block pattern anyway.
They look good and improve handling because of the width and off road ....well thats a big improvement.
I plan to get 6 in total and I will have to get another standard rim widen.
Because they are directional two spares are better is they can be replaced as a pair if and when they wear.
My next rips are to Oallen ford and later stockton beach........both sand...I expect big agains in floatation.