Another age old tire question

[billd45]

I got the ok for new tires for my 74 FJ40. I'm looking at something along the lines of a 7.00-15. Has anyone racked up any experience running anything similar to the Deestone D503 or the Power King Super Traction II tires. I've searched & searched to find answers like 1). are these tubeless tires and if not, what are the differences in running tubeless compared to tubed and does the rim matter? 2). How would either of these two tires hold up. The majority of driving will be on paved or gravel roads with the occasional dirt/two track roads and perhaps some small mud holes and creek crossings. I won't be doing any hard core wheeling or high speed highway driving, just something kind of similar to a hunting type rig. I really like the narrow look and tread pattern of these two tires and I know they will be prone to flat spotting which I've experienced before with swampers but that's not really an issue for me. I'm just wondering if anyone has any other recommendations or the best place to purchase the above tires. I have no lift and don't plan on lifting it and am running the stock rims. I really don't want to or can afford going to a 16 inch rim so I want to stay with 15's.
Any input or suggestions are appreciated, thanks.

 

[unklwedy]

1) Rims should work with tubeless tire. 2) FJ40 will handle like BMW with radial tires.

 

[workingdog]

Well, not EXACTLY like a BMW - unless it's a BMW with ladder frame and solid axles.

 

[myquestoyota]

Yeah, like a BMW with a ladder frame and solid axles towing a utility trailer full of bricks.

 

[Tentoes]

Hey there BillD. I run the power kings with my stock rims. Tubeless. Bias belt. 8 ply side walls. Noisy. Definitely not highway speed tires. Narrow. Aggressive looking. And I love 'em! These are old fashioned tires. No thought to comfort. I really think that if I had a flat tire I would not know it....they are that stiff. When I get ready to buy tires again, I will get another set of power kings. With out hesitation. Where do I buy all my tires? Simpletire.com Great prices and fast shipping and most tires are free shipping! Later, T. And remember, keep the wide side up.

 

[billd45]

Thanks for the input guys! With the millions of options in "old school" looking tires (sarcasm) I keep going back to the Power Kings. they will probably be what I go with. Thanks again.

 

[wngrog]

I run the s*** out of them. Everywhere. Highway. No problem. The steer great.

Loud, yes.

Looks.

Unbeatable.

 

[billd45]

I run the s*** out of them. Everywhere. Highway. No problem. The steer great.

Loud, yes.

Looks.

Unbeatable.

View attachment 1579269

Are those 700-15's?

 

[wngrog]

It’s the 700-15 thread isn’t it?

 

[wngrog]

 

[Joe45]

Howdy all! I know this is an old thread but hopefully y'all can give some good feedback.

Looking for tires for my 1980 HJ45 Pickup. This will be my "overlanding" rig. Driven on highways and off road.
Will eventually, when finished, be driven to Alaska and back.
Will have a DIY lightweight camper on the back (similar to the AluCab Hercules). Rear parabolic Springs. OME, possibly BP51 shocks.
The truck has AC from Vintage Air. Will get some serious sound proofing in the cockpit, with a good stereo and speakers. Don;t plan to try going above 60-65-mph. I prefer to take my time. I picked this truck for above all reliability and capability.

I keep coming back to the Power King Super Traction II in 7.50-16 116L E. These tires just look amazing in these older trucks. I do not like fat tires-at all. BFG used to make a 33x9.50R15 AT but no more. Those were at the top end of my thick tire tolerance. They have a 33x10.50R15 but those look too wide for me.

Another option is the Dunlop SP ROAD GRIPPER F, but can't find them outside of OZ.

If I could find a Radial tire in those dimensions, it would be a wonderful thing.

So what experience do y'all have with the Power King Super Traction II? I know they are great off road, but wondering about how they perform aired down. Also, how they perform on road. Again, my HJ45 will have a goal of maybe doing 60/65mph. I would not want to do more. I prefer taking back roads and not roads like I-40 if possible.

Thanks

 

[middlecalf]

I‘ve run two sets of the Power Kings in 7.0-15 size on my 40 with stock rims. Good tires for the gravel/dirt roads I’m mostly on (90+%). Only issue on the little pavement I run was occasionally would get a little out of balance bumping after the rig sat for a number of days, but that didn’t last long, until tires warmed up (a common thing with bias ply tires from days of old ). Never noticed this on gravel. These are directional tires, so no cross tire rotation. IIRC 12-15k miles wear lifespan. Snow traction was good enough, mud traction so-so as they are not mud tires and treads fill up easily with mud. Sidewall flexture is minimal even with the 8-ply/D rating so suspension and seat foam get a good workout on corrugates. Never aired them down so no knowledge of that effect on ride quality. Pretty smooth on pavement, but it’s a cruiser.

I now run STA Super Traxions in 700-15 on both my 40 and 45. Too soon to know if better mileage than PK’s, but guessing they will be since they’re non-directional. That allows cross tire rotation. They’re a bit deeper treaded, so they’re great rock picker-uppers and throwers. If you like your wheel wells to be pristine, they won’t be for long with these tires. And made in USA vice Asia, FWTW.

 

[Joe45]

I‘ve run two sets of the Power Kings in 7.0-15 size on my 40 with stock rims. Good tires for the gravel/dirt roads I’m mostly on (90+%). Only issue on the little pavement I run was occasionally would get a little out of balance bumping after the rig sat for a number of days, but that didn’t last long, until tires warmed up (a common thing with bias ply tires from days of old ). Never noticed this on gravel. These are directional tires, so no cross tire rotation. IIRC 12-15k miles wear lifespan. Snow traction was good enough, mud traction so-so as they are not mud tires and treads fill up easily with mud. Sidewall flexture is minimal even with the 8-ply/D rating so suspension and seat foam get a good workout on corrugates. Never aired them down so no knowledge of that effect on ride quality. Pretty smooth on pavement, but it’s a cruiser.

I now run STA Super Traxions in 700-15 on both my 40 and 45. Too soon to know if better mileage than PK’s, but guessing they will be since they’re non-directional. That allows cross tire rotation. They’re a bit deeper treaded, so they’re great rock picker-uppers and throwers. If you like your wheel wells to be pristine, they won’t be for long with these tires. And made in USA vice Asia, FWTW.

Good information. I will look up the STA tires.
Thanks!

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Howdy all! I know this is an old thread but hopefully y'all can give some good feedback.

Looking for tires for my 1980 HJ45 Pickup. This will be my "overlanding" rig. Driven on highways and off road.

I keep coming back to the Power King Super Traction II in 7.50-16 116L E. These tires just look amazing in these older trucks. I do not like fat tires-at all. BFG used to make a 33x9.50R15 AT but no more. Those were at the top end of my thick tire tolerance. They have a 33x10.50R15 but those look too wide for me.

Another option is the Dunlop SP ROAD GRIPPER F, but can't find them outside of OZ.

If I could find a Radial tire in those dimensions, it would be a wonderful thing..........

Thanks

It seems that there are still available in the US market some good radial tyres with old school look, e.g. the Korean Hankook (RT01 Dynamic MT)

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Or the Taiwanese Maxxis (Bravo MT753), quite popular in OZ...

Search Results | Highland Tire

 

[Joe45]

Hot DAMN!
NICE!

THANKS!!!

 

[Joe45]

The more I look, though, the more I keep going back to look at the Power King Super Traction II 7.50-16.
They are very well priced, and look absolutely awesome. Just wondering if if they will ride well on road/air down well off-road. I'm not going to be doing 70MPH on them, but chances are they will be driven long distance sometimes on tarmac.

The ones above look great too, but don't seem to come in that really narrow configuration. My limit is like a 33x9.5016 or 15. Wider tread than that and I don't see them as pizza cutters.

 

[POPO AGIE]

Hey there BillD. I run the power kings with my stock rims. Tubeless. Bias belt. 8 ply side walls. Noisy. Definitely not highway speed tires. Narrow. Aggressive looking. And I love 'em! These are old fashioned tires. No thought to comfort. I really think that if I had a flat tire I would not know it....they are that stiff. When I get ready to buy tires again, I will get another set of power kings. With out hesitation. Where do I buy all my tires? Simpletire.com Great prices and fast shipping and most tires are free shipping! Later, T. And remember, keep the wide side up.

I had a set of Ground Hawgs that were that stiff and they would stall the tire machine when trying to mount them on the rims. Once they damaged the tire bead.
But the best traction I have had.

 

[Joe45]

Hey there BillD. I run the power kings with my stock rims. Tubeless. Bias belt. 8 ply side walls. Noisy. Definitely not highway speed tires. Narrow. Aggressive looking. And I love 'em! These are old fashioned tires. No thought to comfort. I really think that if I had a flat tire I would not know it....they are that stiff. When I get ready to buy tires again, I will get another set of power kings. With out hesitation. Where do I buy all my tires? Simpletire.com Great prices and fast shipping and most tires are free shipping! Later, T. And remember, keep the wide side up.

Hello there!
What's the top speed you run these at and how do they perform? I'm looking to put them on a 1980 LC HJ45. I'd like to do maybe 60mph on longer trips on the road. Usually avoid big highways like I-40 and take more out of the way routes.
Also, have you ever aired down off road and do the tires react to tat-as in increasing footprint?

Thanks!

 

[Joe45]

I had a set of Ground Hawgs that were that stiff and they would stall the tire machine when trying to mount them on the rims. Once they damaged the tire bead.
But the best traction I have had.

How was their road performance? Did you ever go 55, 60mph on them? Did you ever air down/did they deform enough to improve traction?

I hear they are "loud" but so is a diesel engine, especially in a vehicle with little or no insulation.
In my HJ45, I will be adding some serious sound insulation to the cab. It has AC, so that will also help.