37inch Hummer Takeoffs

[Jared74FJ40]

Hey,

I apologize if this has been covered before but a search didnt turn up any information. I have a 74 FJ40 that I just purchased. It has a 4 inch SUA lift and 1.5 inch extended shackles. I need to get new tires for it shortly, the previous owner had been running 35 inch tires on it however I bought the car with some 265/75/16s on FJ80 wheels.

I found a set of 16.5x9.75 - 6x5.5 bolt pattern wheels locally with 4 inch backspacing that I am thinking of buying this week. Another local person has some 37 inch hummer take off military tires for $75 a corner. This is a very attractive price and I am temped to jump at it.

What issues will I run into with some moderate wheeling (logging roads for fishing and camping) as well as on the highway with these larger wheels?

Has anyone run these tires and are there any pictures floating around?

Any input would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[vfrer]

What I have heard about the 16.5 inch wheels is that they don't have an inner safety bead which can result in popping the tire off the wheel when wheeling. Hummers run double bead locks so they don't have a problem with this. Think there is a bunch of info online about the hummer stuff... loads of surplus out there and people are trying to move it.

 

[jay dufe]

tires

i'm running 40" swampers 4" skyjacker su lift. tube fenders up front cut all of front apron except 1/2 inch. In the rear flipped springs and trimmed fenders up to bootom om wheel wells.

 

[Jared74FJ40]

Is 4inch backspacing in the ball park of what I want for this kind of setup? Any BTDT would be appreciated. If that seems good I think I am going to jump on these wheels and tires. I will be sure to post some photos once I get them on. I am thinking that with trimming and TJ rear flares I should be able to make it look decent too.

Thanks for the input.

Jared

 

[bikersmurf]

With 15x8 rims, I'm running 3.5" backspacing... With 1/4" spacers in the front to increase clearance between the whitespokes and the brake calipers.

The only way to know for certain, would be to try one of the rims on you front axle.

I've also read that 16.5s will loose the bead if aired down.

 

[Jared74FJ40]

From what I have read there is no safety bead, or a minimal one. Minimum tire pressure with these from what I have read is in the teens. I think I can accept this given the price point of the tires.

Thanks for the input, definitely appreciated!

Jared

 

[Sam Stewart]

I've never had any experience with them but I did a little research when I saw a set come up on CL. The only really bad thing I read about them is that they are extremely hard compund and do not take well to airing down. The hard compound is an issue if you are going to do any serious wheeling because they won't be sticky at all.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Is 4inch backspacing in the ball park of what I want for this kind of setup?

I would guess that 3.5" backspace is minimum. What kind of steering? 37" is a lot of tire. I run 4" backspacing on fj60 axles and I could fit 37s, but not with a lot of extra room to spare.

Edit: I just realized this is a picture of your truck:

You will not be able to fit 37s with that drag link there. With 3.75" backspace stockers 33s will just touch that TRE at full right lock. You would need 2" spacers, or 2" backspace wheels. You can rotate the clamp 90 degrees to get some clearance there, but you're still going to be limited to 35" tires even if you give up some steering by adjusting the steering stops.

 

[Jared74FJ40]

Had not thought about that clearance issue. What have others done running larger tires to relocate the drag link or minimize its interaction with the tires?

Thanks again for the help, always nice to get some BTDT advice before trying to slap some large tires on there and discovering issues. Would like to make these military take-offs work though, as the price is right. The value isnt really there if they wont do the job or make the truck undriveable though.

 

[Jared74FJ40]

Looks like I would eliminate that drag link rubbing issue with a saginaw power steering conversion. Power steering and front discs were on my to do list anyway. Makes sense to get those items checked off the list before going to larger tires. Should be able to get another month of driving on my current tires before switching over to something larger.