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Old School Mud & Snow Tires And Vintage-look Radials

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by maurywhurt, Dec 14, 2018.

  1. Feb 10, 2019
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    Those look great. This is why I have saved an extra set of wheels. I would love to use those off road.
    Probably some BFG's for street riding. Spring is coming and I will make some progress on my Jeep projects.

    Went to a Jeep show, and saw a nice 59. My son asked how does it do off road since he has a TJ.
    Man said, I don't take it off road, "It's original." I understand the work and time in it, but I plan to wheel mine
    and see some sights only available by traveling off road. Nothing too extreme, but seeing these vintage Jeeps in
    their natural off road environment, man that's the best. These tires complete the look.

    Dave
     
  2. Feb 10, 2019
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
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    Had a set of those years ago on a pickup. Wish I could find new ones! Good tires
     
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  3. Feb 11, 2019
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
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    Loved the Norsemans too, but my fav was the 11-15 tru tracs both made by Armstrong
     
  4. Feb 11, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    This is the Armstrong Tru-Trac, which was evidently a radial. Its tread pattern appears to have been derived from the Goodyear Hi-Miler XTra Grip's tread:

    [​IMG]


    Too bad these are no longer made! Armstrong was acquired by Pirelli in 1988, and the production of Armstrong tires ended shortly thereafter.

    Here's an interesting 2007 article on the subject of old-school Jeep tires & wheels that mentions the Armstrongs: Jeep Tires and Wheels - Jp Magazine
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019
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  5. Feb 11, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Fun article to read! After several seasons of running stock rims/tires on the beach with the Tux, my dad finally broke down and bought a set of widened "split-rims" with the band welded in, and a set of wide rib tread implement tires. They worked very well, but were stolen after the second year while in winter storage.
    I always ran 235/75-15 radials stretched onto 10" wagon wheels. I ran tubes, but when aired down, they left a 12" track on the top of the sand. I could go anywhere on the beach, seldom needing 4 wheel drive.
    -Donny
     
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  6. Feb 11, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    Interesting subject. I wonder if there is a true difference between a radial and a xply tyres with such design.
     
  7. Feb 11, 2019
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
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    Mine were bias ply not radials. I bought them in summer of '79
     
  8. Feb 11, 2019
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
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    I have to add this.
    The 1st time I saw radial tires, I laughed and joked about them being half flat. Just a fad, I thought. I'll never spend my money on something like that.
    Boy, was I wrong.:lol:
     
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  9. Feb 11, 2019
    WestCoastPat

    WestCoastPat Member

    Orting, WA...
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    Nov 1, 2015
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    The best tire debate has to be based on where you ran em. I was on the road about 50% of the time and the rest was on the beach or in the hills running fire roads. The club I ran with had older JEEP's and a few newer (66-71) CJ5's and a few FJ40's-and of course my Dad's Scouts and the new at the time Bronco's. Lots of different types of tires, but the best in my opinion were the Gates Commando's. Overall great service with almost no flats. Seems the Toyotas were the worst for flats-my father in law always took at least a couple of spares for a weekend on the beach. Good times I will never forget and hope to relive again soon. WCP
    I forgot to mention that the Gates made it on a trip through the Rubicon with out a worry also. The 2 Land Cruisers both had multiple flats.
     
  10. Feb 11, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Last edited: Feb 11, 2019
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  11. Feb 11, 2019
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    Ah yes the Trutrac!
    My favorite tire until they stopped producing them. I didn't know a radial was made; I would've liked to try those.
    Here's a pic of my 75 back in '92 with 'Tracs on chrome smoothies and an 8' CB whip.
    The Good old Days.:)
    Mike

    upload_2019-2-11_19-38-2.jpeg
     
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  12. Feb 12, 2019
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    Why is it a conspiracy that when you find something good they stop making them?

    Got an old set of wheels in the storage container got to be 10 - 12 in wide with a weld bead all the way around where 2 wheels were welded together. Have 60 series tires on them for sand running. Were on an old M38A1 I parted out.
    Looked like something used in Gravelrama from back in the early 70's.
    Those wheels and tires must have been too much for the running gear, gear teeth had come out the front differential housing.
    Dave
     
  13. Feb 13, 2019
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    Maybe a call to Cokey at Cooker Tires and he will make some again.
    Those Armstrong tru trac tires were hailed as the best years ago.




    Dave
     
  14. Feb 15, 2019
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    For a long time now, Swamper still makes tall skinny bias rubber in the tried and true TSL design. I love the look of them and have owned my share but flat spots.......whew!

    04521889-CDC8-4C25-BB4D-462FD525496A.jpeg

    That is not my Blue Jeep but a good pic of Swamper TSLs
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 16, 2019
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  15. Feb 18, 2019
    WadeS

    WadeS Member

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    Currently running 7.00x15 STA Super Tractions on my 65' J-3600. love them!!!! A little bumpy until warmed up but that's part of the fun of driving old trucks. Diamondback tires will do a vulcanized whitewall to any tire you like.I'll be going with these Ko2's 215/75/15 soon.
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Feb 18, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Donny, check out the .pdf photo from WadeS just above showing the added vulcanized whitewall. Here's a link to Diamondback: White Wall Tires & Custom Vintage Tires - Diamond Back Classic Tires

    Maybe this option could work on the Yokohamas (or some other blackwall) for the Tux.
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2019
  17. Feb 19, 2019
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I’m getting these for my Jeep soon.
     
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  18. Feb 19, 2019
    Miller Mears

    Miller Mears Member

    Virginia Beach VA
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  19. Feb 19, 2019
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    That blue Jeep belongs to good friend RickG over on thecj2apage.com
     
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  20. Feb 20, 2019
    Miller Mears

    Miller Mears Member

    Virginia Beach VA
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    Remember the bias ply tires when Armstrongs and Trutrac were all the rage. But i also remember going to the tire shop and have the guy "true" them. Yep just standing there watching that guy shave miles and miles of rubber off of my brand new tires. Had to pay him for it too...just didn't seem fair. LOL
     
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