Off Road Tires For Stock '59

I love the way NDT/skinny tires look on old jeeps. It just looks “right”. I currently have tubeless road rated all-terrain tires on mine, but… Always kind of wanting to switch… even though I know they’re not ideal for safety.

 

You don’t say what size rims you have (maybe I missed it?). Willys 16” rims can be 4-1/2”, 5” , or 6” wide (between the beads). If your rims are 4-1/2”, that might limit the size tire they will take. If your fortunate enough to have 6” wide rims, they will take the 7.50x16 tires.
-Donny

 

Thank you, is there any way to get the width measurement while tires are mounted?

 

Is there a safety issue with the narrow tires? Or just less safe than a standard road tire?

 

Maybe not the "skinny" so much as the pattern. My personal experience with NDTs is that they are poor on hard or slick surfaces - such as braking on a wet road.

Off road, they need to be 'aired-down' to get the best out of them.

 

To measure rim width with tires mounted….

Run a pair of 15” or 16” long straight edges across the rim from lip to lip.( inside annd outside )
The exact length for straight edges depends on wheel diameter.
Measure the distance at hub center between the straight edges. Subtract 1” from that measurement to compensate for the two rim lips.

 

Given what you're using the Jeep for, have you checked Craigslist or FB marketplace? I know the thinner tires are getting harder to find, but full sets of 16" takeoffs can be had for pennies on the dollar.

 

Good suggestion! I'll take a look and see what's around.

 

I have Forceum MTs on mine. They are LT235/75R15. I'd guess they would have 16". I have had them up to 65 mph without issue. Offroad, just putting around the back yard. That will change after the 4 speed = )

 

Narrowed it down to a few options that look affordable:

• Deestone D502-Traction 6.00-16
• Deestone D501-NDT 6.00-16
  
• New Harvest King Field Pro 7.00-16
• Firestone Regency Garden Tractor TLG-1 7.00-16

FSM calls for 6.00-16, but it looks like many are using 7.00+ with no rubbing issues and seeing some benefits from the extra width. Appreciate all the perspectives and experience here. Amazing.

 

I would steer clear of the tractor tires for one reason only. If you want/need to tow/drive the Jeep somewhere, they are useless onroad.
My favorite pattern:

My CJ came with a set of big 'ole fat XT Commando's with this pattern. They really performed.

 

Thank you! I don't anticipate needing to drive it on the road, but there is always a chance. I like the look of those--did they do alright out in the field?

Similar to the Deestone D502-Traction 6.00-16 ?

 

I loved mine. Granted my CJ tires were probably ten inches wide but they performed well in the mud. They wore like iron as well.
I ran a 66 scout in HS and had a set of skinny recaps in the same pattern.
Both tire sets seemed to be able to clear the cleats without having to blow up the engines (the Scout was a 4).
There is no flotation with skinny tires. They are a "chew down to the hard pan" setup, so usually, the more aggressive the better.
Remember, my mud may not be your mud.....................

 

Thank you! I don't go looking for mud and prefer to do chores when it's not going to tear up the land, so I'm probably overthinking it. Any of these will outstrip the road tires on there now.

 

Timely question and discussion! Need to get new tires for mine as well. Read a whole thread on tires and this discussion. I was heading the STA Super Traxion direction but these deestone and power king look good and a fraction of the price! I have 15x5.5 wheels and was going for the M/S more for looks as I’m not redoing for any serious off road.

 

Most of these are bias ply tires. They are loud, hard, and generally don't air down well.
Not and issue for many, but..........................................

 

A good traction tire may do less damage than a street tire spinning and sliding.