Oh goodness it's another wheel question

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Those rims may look nice but they are worth diddly squat. For a reason, you have very little tyre choice and what you have is not much good. I ran 235/85s (BFG AT) on those rims and yes I did get tube wear punctures and yes the tyres were forced too narrow. So I bought a set of OEM Wolfs and put new modern high performance 235 AT tyres on. Stuck the 5.5J rims complete with BFG ATs on e-bay a couple of weeks ago and was pleased to get £40 the lot. The OEM Wolfs (in very good nick) cost me £140 without tyres so the market knows the answer. Part of my decision to fit decent modern rims and tyres was swayed by mine being MOT exempt. Now its my respnsiblity I don't want to cut corners by running old tubeless rims and old style tyres.
So in your opinion running 750 16 tubeless tyres on rims that are tubed is cutting corners? Or are you saying there aren't many decent tyre brand choices in 750 16?
I'm not trying to be critical I'm just interested to hear your opinions :D
 
I have a question (going back to the studs) - how much stud is sticking out from the hub with these M16 x 45 studs ?
On a std rim about 4-5 mm clear of the wheel nut, on a OEM wolf about 1-2 mm clear of the wheel nut. I think there is a pic with a ruler in the thread I linked to.
So in your opinion running 750 16 tubeless tyres on rims that are tubed is cutting corners? Or are you saying there aren't many decent tyre brand choices in 750 16?
I'm not trying to be critical I'm just interested to hear your opinions :D
My trials began when I realised my 235/85 BFG ATs were 20 years old. Once I had to get 4 tyres I decided to do some (well a lot) of research. It became clear the whole area of 4x4 tyres has moved on a lot and the lastest generation of all-terrain tyres are impressive bits of tech. One intersting this I found was that 235/85 -16 is the default size for these so its the size with loads of choice. Be aware that there are 2 235/85 - 16 sizes - 235/85-16 and LT235/85-16. An LT is "light truck" and its a much heavier squarer tyre, it typically has 116-120 rating (thats 116 on a twin wheel set up and 120 on a single) which is around 3000 lb per tyre. Often the LT is actually cheaper than the non -LT because its a commercial tyre.
The std 5.5J rim used to be specced as the min rim width for a 235/85, but that info has been updated to show 6J so its a bit tricker to argue its OK even if it fits. Im a Chartered Engineer and my truck is MOT exempt so I have no defence of ignorance, I need to play by the book.The 7.50 R 16 is a radial and approved for the 5.5J, but there are fewer and fewer tyres this size. Its a 100% aspect so you get the hight - its about 31-31.5" dia, an LT235/85 is around 31.7" dia. The problem as I saw it was that the 7.50R16s are very off road biased, noisy and usually poor wet grip. To get the low noise, mud/snow, highway and wet grip you need a lastest generation 235/85 A/T tyre. Really that means a 6J or 6.5J rim. Ideally there would be a 6J version of the series / defender wheel but the choice is limted to modular, wolf copy or Wolf/LR Heavy Duty. I bought a modualr, wolf copy and OEM LR HD rim and compared, the OEM Wolf/HD wheel is the best which is why I stumped up £140 for a used set and that was a keen price. The copy ones are around £45 each new. The 5.5J wheels are £5-£10 each at most so the market has decided.
I think it comes down to a clear choice - 5.5J with 7.50R16 for shows and short trips, but if you intend to drive, especially on the road, then its 6.5J (Wolf or copy) and modern tubeless LT235/85 16. This is big investment, I shopped around for ages and still the 4 wheels and tryes cost me around £600, here an example:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...736107?hash=item34228980ab:g:AN8AAOSw321eS92W
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Land-R...070013?hash=item3b4bfef2fd:g:8U0AAOSwugtfKxJo
Note the massive difference in price and ask yourself "why?"
My take on what is going on is that people think the 5.5J will become obsolete with only a few over priced tyres to fit.
We are driving around 200 miles this coming week with a loaded LWB and loaded Sankey and I am much happier doing this on 235s on 6.5J rims. A related issue is that I've done a lot of work on the brakes and now on drums it stops really well, I'd be unhappy on a 7.50 vs a 235 especially in the wet.
I hope this wasn't too long and answer but I felt your honest question deserved proper consideration.
I bought these becuase I good a good deal (£105 each fitted) on the LT235/85-16
https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/geolandar-a-t-g015
 
On a std rim about 4-5 mm clear of the wheel nut, on a OEM wolf about 1-2 mm clear of the wheel nut. I think there is a pic with a ruler in the thread I linked to.

My trials began when I realised my 235/85 BFG ATs were 20 years old. Once I had to get 4 tyres I decided to do some (well a lot) of research. It became clear the whole area of 4x4 tyres has moved on a lot and the lastest generation of all-terrain tyres are impressive bits of tech. One intersting this I found was that 235/85 -16 is the default size for these so its the size with loads of choice. Be aware that there are 2 235/85 - 16 sizes - 235/85-16 and LT235/85-16. An LT is "light truck" and its a much heavier squarer tyre, it typically has 116-120 rating (thats 116 on a twin wheel set up and 120 on a single) which is around 3000 lb per tyre. Often the LT is actually cheaper than the non -LT because its a commercial tyre.
The std 5.5J rim used to be specced as the min rim width for a 235/85, but that info has been updated to show 6J so its a bit tricker to argue its OK even if it fits. Im a Chartered Engineer and my truck is MOT exempt so I have no defence of ignorance, I need to play by the book.The 7.50 R 16 is a radial and approved for the 5.5J, but there are fewer and fewer tyres this size. Its a 100% aspect so you get the hight - its about 31-31.5" dia, an LT235/85 is around 31.7" dia. The problem as I saw it was that the 7.50R16s are very off road biased, noisy and usually poor wet grip. To get the low noise, mud/snow, highway and wet grip you need a lastest generation 235/85 A/T tyre. Really that means a 6J or 6.5J rim. Ideally there would be a 6J version of the series / defender wheel but the choice is limted to modular, wolf copy or Wolf/LR Heavy Duty. I bought a modualr, wolf copy and OEM LR HD rim and compared, the OEM Wolf/HD wheel is the best which is why I stumped up £140 for a used set and that was a keen price. The copy ones are around £45 each new. The 5.5J wheels are £5-£10 each at most so the market has decided.
I think it comes down to a clear choice - 5.5J with 7.50R16 for shows and short trips, but if you intend to drive, especially on the road, then its 6.5J (Wolf or copy) and modern tubeless LT235/85 16. This is big investment, I shopped around for ages and still the 4 wheels and tryes cost me around £600, here an example:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...736107?hash=item34228980ab:g:AN8AAOSw321eS92W
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Land-R...070013?hash=item3b4bfef2fd:g:8U0AAOSwugtfKxJo
Note the massive difference in price and ask yourself "why?"
My take on what is going on is that people think the 5.5J will become obsolete with only a few over priced tyres to fit.
We are driving around 200 miles this coming week with a loaded LWB and loaded Sankey and I am much happier doing this on 235s on 6.5J rims. A related issue is that I've done a lot of work on the brakes and now on drums it stops really well, I'd be unhappy on a 7.50 vs a 235 especially in the wet.
I hope this wasn't too long and answer but I felt your honest question deserved proper consideration.
I bought these becuase I good a good deal (£105 each fitted) on the LT235/85-16
https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/geolandar-a-t-g015
Thanks, I appreciate your time and your honesty.
I'll spray a wolf up tomorrow and have a look. Mine's a '64 2a that's very much a second or third car but I'll use it for green laning now and again so I'd prefer a taller tyre, but it's not the end of the world if I go with originals and smaller tyres. I'll just get @danny6801 to tow me out more often :p
I'll probably go with these....
Screenshot_20200807-232017_Chrome.jpg

I'm certainly not concerned with road noise and they're meant to be pretty good in the wet. Mpg doesn't matter, let's face it if it did I wouldn't be driving a 56 year old petrol series. They're ott for what I'll be using it for but I don't care. Bfg at's would probably be a better choice but that's another 200 quid and lets face it both will probably perish before they get worn out.
Thanks for the info regarding studs I'll certainly do that.
I've got a class 1 licence and adr and my job depends on me keeping it and in the rozzers eyes I'm classed as a professional driver and so the term 'should know better' is banded about if any incidents occur.
 
I think the problem with the ZXL 7.50 is that its old tech - regular big blocks of tread that drum on the road. The new designs use computers to creat an slightly random tread that's still balanced so they dont set up a regular beat, they also stagger the blocks more to reduce the edges.
 
I have 2 range masters on the rear (normal pattern)
& 2 of these on the front. Michelin lattitude. ( only replaces as others were bold)

Wandered round the garden
I do have 3 110 with scabby tyres on. Others are old series
4CAE5951-0F2B-4A0C-BE06-832F43979BE3.jpeg
 
I think the problem with the ZXL 7.50 is that its old tech - regular big blocks of tread that drum on the road. The new designs use computers to creat an slightly random tread that's still balanced so they dont set up a regular beat, they also stagger the blocks more to reduce the edges.
Once upon a time, we all ran Firestone SAT's (Super All Traction) tyres, they were proper old tech, they didn't drum, they howled like an air raid siren!
I think Michelin ZXL's are quite high-tech in comparison.

20191226_130533.jpg
 

These STT Pro's are superb value for money and excellent all round tyres. I've just received my set from Camskill, who give first rate service and delivery to the front door. My original steels have these tyres on too but wanted new tyres for the new/original Wolf wheels that are just back from the media blasters. I'll keep back one of the original STT's for the bonnet spare
20200809_101126[1].jpg
 
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