Puma rims on a 88" Series I! Fitting some Bar Treads....

[spudboy]

I need to get some new tyres fitted to my Series I, so I have temporarily swapped out the rims for some off my Puma. Doesn't look too bad! Very impressed that rims from a vehicle built over 50 years since still fit the original.

I just got a set of 6.00 x 16 tyres for it, but now that they are delivered they look like dinky toys tyres. Way too skinny. However, that's what the Owner's Handbook says came fitted from the factory. I think it may look a little "under tyred". Any thoughts on this? How many of you have the 6.00 x 16s fitted?

Here's a couple of pictures with the puma rims on it, and the difference in tyre sizes between the 205's I am taking off and the new 6.00 x 16 bar treads.

[disco2hse]

Why the smaller tyres? Engine capacity, strength of axles, strength of diffs, probable wear on wheel bearings, reduced turning circle, affect on articulation,...

I reckon it will look better with the smaller tyres, but why have you got bar treads?

[spudboy]

Got the bar treads because that's all I could find in 6.00 x 16, and got that size because they were original specification.

It will also probably never venture more than 25 Kms from the farm, so don't need quietness or long-distance touring tyres. Thought they'd be pretty good on the farm in all the mud we have around too.

They just look overly skinny to my eyes.

Edit: They were also only $140 ea delivered to my door....

[disco2hse]

Fair enough. If it is mud you are driving through (and not sand or shale) then the skinny tyres are the best. In fact you can get that size as tractor treads IIRC.

Like these but I am sure there must be a local supplier.

[spudboy]

Yeah - those are real tractor style, and would be seriously noisy on the road. I think the bar treads will be bad enough, although there is nothing particularly quiet about the rest of the vehicle so it may not matter int he end.

[dreamin']

Hi Spudboy

The 205s you're taking off look like Road Grippers (?). I got a set of these secondhand for my 86, but haven't fitted them yet.

How do they ride and do they fit OK on the original 5 inch rims?

Thanks

D

[Landy Smurf]

nice s1

[JDNSW]

........

They just look overly skinny to my eyes.

.........

Fortunately, the performance of the tyres does not depend on their looks.

The advantages of the smaller tyres on that vehicle include - lower unsprung weight, easier to change wheels or tyres, lighter steering, longer life for suspension and steering components, spare takes up less room.

Bar tread tyres are quite suitable for general farm work, but need care on wet bitumen. I went through two sets of them on the 2a, could not get replacements, now running Steeltreks, and note that steering is markedly better with radials.

John

[Scallops]

I use 16 X 6.00 Bar treads, Spud - they look like they should - like a true Series 1. but as others have said - they also suit a 52 BHP engine!

[101RRS]

I feel that 6.00x16 are too small (at least look too small) for any 86/88 series 1. 7.00x16 looks good (fills out the guards) and work well. My station wagon has them.

On my first 86 series 1 many years ago I had 8"x15" sunraysias with 12.5x15" on the rears and 10.5x 15 on the front (yes I know different sizes but I was young and these were all I could get with no money). However they all worked well both onroad and off road - this series 1 was my daily drive at the time. Series 1 gearing is low enough to pull the 12.5" rears as long as you were not in a hurry.

Interestingly I never busted an exle with these wide tyres but did up at Yalwal with the original wheels and RTMs.

Garry