Anyone running Micheling XZLs?

[Clack]

I think these might be the tires I'm looking for.

I like the idea of a tall and skinny tire as I'm in snow a lot of the time, but I'm afraid of the lack of stability while turning that a regular tall skinny tire (33/9.5/15) might have. These things, with their steel belted sidewalls for god's sake, sound pretty frikking bomber. Hell they're military tires.

Anyone using them? The 9.00 R16s at a 36" diameter are larger than I'm planning to run. Anyone have an idea of the diameter of the 7.50 R16 or the 8.25 R16? (i believe the 8.25 R16 are around 33" but could very easily be wrong) Anything special to know about these tires? Any input would be appreciated.

BTW, read through the FAQ. Great stuff on this board.

Clack

edit: also, the speed rating for these seems like it might be pretty low.


info:
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/michelin/indexmain.shtml

 

[Doc]

They're a 36 in tall tire, right? You'll need quite a bit of lift to run those. The advantage of the 33x9.5 is that you can run them without a lift with no problems.

 

[Exiled]

Ran a set of used ones a long time ago on an '84 FJ60. Great tires, stiff even when aired down, wore well, even after a lot of miles. I've read a lot about the speed rating but back then I was 19 years old and pretty stupid, even if they'd tattooed a warning on my forehead I would have ignored it.

Henry

 

[Clack]

Doc- These will go on after the OME kit. I'm interested in the 7.50 and 8.25 which are smaller in diameter (and width) than the 9.00 R16.

 

[The Dude]

I tried running my 9.00R16 with just a belton lift and extended shackles, you will have to trim.

the smaller sizes wil fit OK with the OME lift

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

I'm running 650R16 XZL's on my 25. The 8.25 is around 34" tall, the military XZL's run taller than the conventional tires in those sizes. The tire does well for me, is tough as hell, and very true (I haven't bothered to balance them but I only go 55 mph max). I've never tried them in snow, but I imagine it would be similar to running a tall and skinny super swamper, because they lack any kind of siping.

Problem will be sourcing them. If you find them I'd be real interested in getting a set of 825's. RMP&O said Rovers North has 750's. The 650's I have came off the little Canadian military trailers.

 

[Greg_B]

Ahhhh, yes... the old unobtainum 8.25R16 XZL conversation...

One day, perhaps they will be available in North America. Seems to be the perfect size for LC's and the Ozzy 50mm lifts.

Occationally you will find a set of used ones for sale.

gb

 

[jesterb]

Ping dd113. He was talking about those last weekend.

 

[wesintl]

Greg.. can't you accidently find a container of 8.25?

 

[vtcruiser60]

Have you taken a look at the Goodyear workhorse tires? They might do the trick, similar look and easier to source.

-

 

[Greg_B]

wesintl...still waiting for that grail to appear

vtcruiser60, there are a few "commercial" tires I would be very interested in trying if the came in a 255/85/R16 or 8.25R16. Sadly, it seems they max out at around 32". Some are:

Dunlop RT
BFG Commercial TA
Cooper Discoverer CTD (no longer available it seems)
Cooper Discoverer S/T-C
Goodyear Workhorse Extra Grip

gb

 

[pg]

Hi,
I used 7,50x16 xzl's under my old landrover on my africa trips. In about 60000km's they where worn out. Great tire in mud and rocky stuff but in sand they are pretty bad. They are extremely strong but noisy on tarmac and fast driving/breaking is not what it was made for! No problem in a landy but since i have a heavy and fast cruiser it would not be my first choise.
pG www.amsterdam-capetown.com

XZL (the one in the middle) at it's best: equator, Gabon. Rainforest.
First landrover on this site ever...?