Yeh Yeh another tyre thread

[Pete38]

I am definitely getting a spare although risking it at the moment. I understand the damage to the transfer of running a smaller tyre. How critical is it though? Would I get away with a tyre that measures 31 inches?? I have access to a half worn 265/75/16 Mickey Thompson ATZ so they are over 31 inches.

I'm looking for a 2nd hand one as these are my second set of tyres and the spare is unlikely to be used. Tempe tyres only had an almost new tyre to suit and wanted $100 but because they said they get tyres in that will fit and balance for $30-$40 normally, I declined. Sorta feeling like I shouldn't have been such a tight arse and just bought it because now I have to go back and wait at sometime.

I would prefer a tyre recovery kit to be honest purely for space, but not so sure how successful they are? 95%??

I already have a decent 150L/min pump as a backup for the eas and to pump up tyres. Also plan on making a hose that goes from the shrader valves on the air recovery kit to a tyre inflation accessory so I can give a high flow of air for a fully deflated tyre in an emergency. Also have spare air bags in the boot and a nanocom evolution for resetting and diagnosing faults... Really trying to cover as much bases as possible so I can get on my way if a problem happens in the field.

[Keithy P38]

It's good that your not finding any scraping around town! Big plus!

I'll sit and wait for the scrubbing results off road!

[Pete38]

P38 pictures by pbrown77 - Photobucket

Very minor scrubbing on the rear. Well it's just a squeak on inner guard and small Black mark. Not really scrubbing.

Front hasn't scrubbed but haven't pushed to bump stops on articulation, just tested on access mode.

[Keithy P38]

Looks the goods mate!

[parasnoop67]

Looks really good mate, put it up on high profile and you'll probably not touch at all. Standard height is what I normally use in the bush and use high for extra ground clearance for approach and departure as well as rampover.

[benji]

THat looks great! Thanks for the gamble you've taken for the rest of us. I think when the front is crosse up on full lock that'll be the test.

[Pete38]

Thanks all for your compliments.

Just gotta find a place to give it a test during the work week. I thought the mound I went up would push the front right up but it only put the rear on the bump stops. It was steeper than what the photo showed. Now I look back at it I should have driven at an angle so the front drivers side was higher up the mound before any other wheels touched. I wanna test it before I end up deep in the bush.

[Keithy P38]

You've got a good point mate. Would hate to be ripping guards out bush!

[PaulP38a]

The rumours of me cutting my guards have been somewhat exaggerated... despite Andy's insistence that it must be done... waiting for him to cut the guards on his L322 first

I run without mudflaps, a situation I intend to correct when I find some aftermarket ones that I like and don't have CATEPILLAR stamped on them.

I know people here disagree, but I maintain that 255 width is safest regardless of height. I have posted pics in the past showing my tyres (255/85R16) tucked up nicely inside the guards and I don't have the confidence that wider tyres would avoid fouling. Maybe a 31" or 32" at 265 would negate the extra 5mm, and it would be affected by the tread style no doubt.

Great to see more experimentation in this area though.

Cheers, Paul.

[Pete38]

Hey Paul. I probably would have gone 255/75/16 to be honest if the km's came in that size. Personally I think AT's with wider tread width may have caused more dramas for me as the tread width that actually sits on the road for my km2's is only about 200mm, so the corners aren't that wide. But as I said, I haven't completely checked the front yet to find out which part fo the tyre causes the scrubbing. The corners are a good 15-20mm away from the sills when on access height and turning. I can actually drive on access mode which surprised me. Haven't gone far though because I'm still worried about getting up some speed and scraping/ripping. Hmm maybe I'll try the system with no air in the bags as well. Thats an easy one to try.