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Early Cj-5a 15x5.5" Wheels And Tires, Sta L-78 Super Traxion

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by IronAgeFan, Jun 20, 2020.

  1. Jun 20, 2020
    IronAgeFan

    IronAgeFan "How'd It Use to be Done?"

    South Central Texas
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    As a proud new member and 1964 CJ5A owner, I want to thank you all for the valuable resource this forum provides. My recent purchase of a nice Tuxedo Park Mark IV, led to my researching a period correct style of tire to go with the original 15 x 5.5 wheels. I finally landed on the STA Super Traxion and came here looking to confirm that the L78 size, which appears to be slightly taller and just a tad wider, will work with my original height suspension. I believe I confirmed that it would work, as I saw at least one member who stated they had used some on their original CJ 5A. Both Coker, Summit and one other tire company said the width would be fine. Do any of you have other opinions on this size tire, vs the 700-15 STA Super Traxion on a stock height CJ-5A? Thank you in advance!
     
  2. Jun 20, 2020
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    I run 7.00x15 tires on a stock height CJ-5, and they fit just fine. They are probably the closest size to 6.70x15 tires, which came stock on many mid-60's CJ's, available today.

    You may find it helpful to take a look at this thread: Old School Mud & Snow Tires And Vintage-look Radials
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2020
    Beach66Bum likes this.
  3. Jun 20, 2020
    IronAgeFan

    IronAgeFan "How'd It Use to be Done?"

    South Central Texas
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    Thank you for the reply and advice. During my research, I studied that valuable thread on this subject and looked at a few others as well. I have enjoyed watching 65SeeJayFive's videos on Youtube about his Jeep and considered that he was running 30x 9.5x 15 BFGs (before his lift and after) and the Super Traxion L78s only have a tread width of 7.3, I believe. My experience with some STAs in the past is that they are not quite the full advertised height in every case, so I figured these will be about 29" and some change. I saw a thread where I believe it was Beach66Bum had written he had used L78 mud snow tires on his Jeep in the past, if I'm not mistaken. Hopefully he and 65SeeJayFive will see this thread. I wanted a slightly stronger D side wall and the L78s in STA's Super Traxion have that, versus the 7.00 x 15 and a C rating. Does anyone else have experience with the L78 in a M/S tire on their factory 15 x 5.5" rims? Any problems with rubbing when you turn? Thank you
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2020
  4. Jun 20, 2020
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    Welcome from Oklahoma! We would love to see pictures of your Jeep!
     
  5. Jun 22, 2020
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Here are some photos of a CJ-5 with L78-15 tires mounted, though they are on 15x6 rims, rather than 15x5.5. It appears that they fit just fine:

    1967 CJ-5 Powhatan, VA **SOLD**
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2020
  6. Jun 22, 2020
    IronAgeFan

    IronAgeFan "How'd It Use to be Done?"

    South Central Texas
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    Thank you Maurywhurt! This looks great. I greatly appreciate the help and it should assist others who would like the slightly wider tire (plus D rated) on their '60s CJ5.
     
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  7. Jun 23, 2020
    IronAgeFan

    IronAgeFan "How'd It Use to be Done?"

    South Central Texas
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    This incredible original 1962 Jeep has vintage mud-snow tires on it from the era that can be seen at 7:58 in the video



    If you look at it close it appears the sidewall reads 7.60 x 15 . I believe the L 78 x 15 was 7.78 x 15 or close. Looks like the STA L-78 Super Traxion is a close substitute.
     
  8. Jun 23, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    An L78-15 has the same physical dimensions as a 235/75-15. This makes it easier to compare modern sizes. I need to pull out the dealer paperwork from my Tux when new, but I think the tires were H78-15 Suburbanites.
    -Donny
     
  9. Jun 24, 2020
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    That is what mine would look like when new.
    Thanks for sharing!
     
  10. Jun 24, 2020
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Hello just catching up on your thread! Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your 1964 Tuxedo Park :)
    For the tire size equivalents of the L78, H78, and metric sizing, they are as follows...

    H78-15 was a 28.3” tall tire. The closest metric size is the 225 75R15 which stands at approximately 28”.

    L78-15 was a 29.3” tall tire. The closest metric size is the 235 75R15 which stands at approximately 29”.

    I had the L78’s dated 1974, so the tires had already been replaced once from 1966. I went with keeping the stock look and choose the 235’s. I went with the Toyo M-55 mud and snow for it’s aggressive period looking tread and the higher sidewall rating.

    Any of these size tires will work without any problem with an original stock ride cj5.
    The rims are my Tux are 5.5x15
    Note: I went with a smaller size tire for the side spare, I didn’t like the way the 235 stuck out, just my opinion.
    Roy
     
  11. Jun 24, 2020
    IronAgeFan

    IronAgeFan "How'd It Use to be Done?"

    South Central Texas
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    Wow! Thanks guys! Incredible information. Roy, you have a very nice Tuxedo Park that looks like a time machine. Those Toyos M-55 look great on it. I am glad I pulled the trigger on the L-78s. Must of my driving will be on our dirt roads, and a little on country paved roads. I may have to get a 7.00 x 15 though for a spare as I see what you mean.
     
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  12. Jun 25, 2020
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Thank you! Looking forward to seeing your ‘64 Tux.
     
  13. Jun 25, 2020
    IronAgeFan

    IronAgeFan "How'd It Use to be Done?"

    South Central Texas
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    I'll try to post some images soon. My '64 Tux was actually just what I was looking for and it has a unique history as I'm sure many of your Jeeps do. Recently, I spoke to the grandson of the 2nd owner who was best friends with the original owner and his wife (that's a mouth full). The original owner purchased it for use on his farm and during those years it was kept inside an agricultural building and used very little and only on the farm. About 1983, it was purchased by the 2nd owner (his grandfather), who did some minor servicing and what I suspect was an acrylic enamel repaint in white with some accent stripes in an attempt to "modernize" it CJ7 Style (I plan on removing those stripes as I like it plain). The grandfather registered it and the last inspection sticker from 1984 is still on the windshield. It shows 2000 miles on the 1984 Texas State Inspection Sticker. The grandson told me that shortly after getting the Jeep , his grandfather passed away. It was kept inside his grandmother's garage from 1983 until two years ago, because the grandmother would not sell it. She didn't drive it at all and according to him, no one did during it's hibernation. The grandson inherited it two years ago and as he cleaned out his grandmother's home, he moved the Jeep to his home a few hours west of his grandmother's mid 50's ranch. It has not been started and the engine is locked up, though I don't think it had a catastrophic failure. I believe it is just from no use. It has been in dry storage all these years and it shows a tad under 2200 miles on the odometer. When I went to look at it, I was amazed at the overall condition. I thought at that time that it had 21,000 miles on the odometer and it was not until I unloaded it that I noticed the odometer. When I spoke to the grandson, he insisted the mileage is absolutely correct and said he knows that it never ran during the "mothballs" years in his grandmother's garage. His parents had divorced when he was a child, so no one had an interest in the Jeep. When I asked him why she never sold it , he said it was because it " reminded her of my grandfather and the years they spent with their friends on their farm". He said "she kept everything". As far as the mileage goes, I don't care if it really has 20,000 miles on it. It's a clean and virtually rust free '64 Jeep CJ5-A. It has what appears to be an original JEEP rubber floor mat still in the front floor board. It has a heater and possibly a 4 speed, though I haven't 100% confirmed that. I thought someone added a radio and antenna to the passenger fender near the JEEP logo, but then I saw what appears to be the same double mount fender antenna on a clean original Jeep in a book. Is it an original option? It has had some attention over the years and it is not a mint Jeep, but I am really glad that I was not handed a conundrum of what to do with a Jeep museum piece. It's preservation is what I seek, not a restoration. I just want to make it happy again without turning it into something it should not be. I'm glad to start this journey and I'll be sure to bring y'all along if you have an interest in seeing it wake up from its slumber. Thanks for all the folks and for taking the time to answer these questions on the L-78 tires! They finally arrived today!
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
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  14. Jun 26, 2020
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    That’s incredible to have the original history on the Tux! Thank you for sharing :)
    The radio and antenna are not original from the factory, but the dealership (or owner) could install very easily. You will see the antennas mounted in several different locations when looking at pictures on Goggle, but most often they were on the passenger side by the Jeep logo. (The cable for the antenna was easily connected to the radio in this location)
    Finding a complete Tuxedo Park is a real treasure as the Tux specific parts are getting more and more difficult to find!
    Definitely will be following along!
     
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