Skinny Tires

1945 - 196*, Willys CJ series, modifications, sugestions, and ideas
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skwimjim
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Skinny Tires

Post by skwimjim » Wed Nov 14, 2018 4:50 am

I'm new here and thought I'd share some info on skinny tires (NOT non-directional tread) that I found that match the ones originally supplied on civilian jeeps and trucks in the 50's and 60's. I have a 1953 Willys CJ-3B and searched for several years for new tires that looked like the Goodyear Suburbanite or Firestone Town & Country. I considered the STA Super Traxion, but that wasn't quite the look I was after. I finally found the Power King Super Traction II LT7.00/--15 through SimpleTire.com (https://simpletire.com/power-king-7.0015lt-aud36-tires.

Next was finding skinny 15" rims that would fit the Willys. I settled on a trailer rim from etrailer.com (https://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Whee ... 55WS1.html).

I really like the result. Note that the tires are 8 ply and I run them at lower than recommended pressure for ride comfort and handling (26psi).
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Joe Gopan
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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Nov 16, 2018 10:58 am

You did a good job that gives your Jeep that "look".
Originnally that look came from the 6.00-16 NDT Jeep tires normally installed on MB/GPW, CJ-2A, etc.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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skwimjim
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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by skwimjim » Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:33 am

Ben Dover wrote:
Fri Nov 16, 2018 10:58 am
You did a good job that gives your Jeep that "look".
Originnally that look came from the 6.00-16 NDT Jeep tires normally installed on MB/GPW, CJ-2A, etc.
Some of the CJs came from the factory with mud and snow truck tires. I wanted some like in this picture. These were a good match.

Image

Joe Gopan
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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:01 am

The heavy lugs are Good Year Hi Miler Extra Grip. I believe that those were only an option with Jeep on the 6-226 Trucks, etc. and only in 7.00X16 size. They were not available on the CJ's.
They aew obsolete now, Armstrong made a copy and those are NLA.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

cjv-35
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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by cjv-35 » Tue Nov 27, 2018 5:12 pm

Hey Ben, do you recall an Armstrong 600-16 Rhinoflex tire ? Great looking non military tread mud and snow.

Joe Gopan
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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Nov 28, 2018 3:40 am

I have an Armstrong 6.00 x 16 Heatmaster NDT from WWII. It is the spare on my MB. I belive "Rhino-Flex" is a trade mark. I will take a look to see if it is printed on the NDT.

I just checked, it does have the Logo "Rhino Flex" and the word "HEATMASTER" In caps. This tire sat in our parts room for years and was from DOW FIELD across the street.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

wc56daveyboy
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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by wc56daveyboy » Thu Nov 29, 2018 3:38 am

I noticed on their site they make a 750-16 also, measuring in at 32" tall.

1/2 ton WC alternative maybe?

I wonder how it would look and perform compared to a NDT of the same size

timsresort
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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by timsresort » Sun Jan 20, 2019 4:25 pm

I have the Power King 7.50-16's on my '67 CJ5. They far out perform a NDT. which are worthless in snow. Very noisy by modern standards, but I like a little noise, reminds me of long ago days. I can actually hear the buzz when flat towing it.
Image
41 WC-16
41 Lavine Gear !-ton trailer
51 M37
53 CJ3B
65 CJ5A
(2) 67 CJ5
46 Bantam T3-C #2376
67 M416
68 M274A5
MVPA #20343

teletech
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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by teletech » Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:33 am

The Power King Super Traction II is quite a standby for those wanting the old Jeep look for sure. I do dearly wish someone made a 7.00LT15 in a radial. The suspension and handling in these old Jeeps is bad at the best of times and it would be nice to get the advantages of a radial. One of those benefits is being able to let the vehicle sit for a month and not have nasty flat-spots!
I should clarify that they do make a 7r15 but I want something aggressive looking like the Super Traction. For a while Yokohama made the 742S which would have been great but are sadly no longer in production.

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Re: Skinny Tires

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Sep 15, 2020 5:49 am

Nice Find, they are very similar to OEM Good Year Miracle Extra Traction. (MET)
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


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