Help with military tires (1 Viewer)

[yoda-g3]

I just got a M101A1 with the 5 lug split rims. The tires are in good shape for now but a spare definitely needs to be in the plan. I had originally planned on swapping the axle out for an electric brake version with matching Toyota lug pattern. But the thing towed so nice, I really like the meaty looks the the OEM wheels, and the built in parking brakes are pretty handy, so I'm rethinking that.

Could someone help me figure out what wheel exactly went on these things so I can figure out if I can even find a spare wheel, and if I can even get tires and tubes locally. What kind of tire do I need to use, and can I get a smaller diameter one that's easier to stow?

All I can find is that the Dodge M37 had the same wheel, but I can't find if there were any civilian rigs that used them that I can cross reference.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

These are 235/85-16 about 32" tall, if you have 900-16 NDT they're probably 35" tall. Wheels are power wagon and some other real oddball stuff, anybody who sells surplus or a boneyard that has trucks should have some. Don't overpay.


Edit - removed the M715 - wrong info

 

[davegonz]

Anyone know the bolt pattern on those wheels?

 

[davegonz]

These are 235/85-16 about 32" tall, if you have 900-16 NDT they're probably 35" tall. Wheels are power wagon or M715 jeep and some other real oddball stuff, anybody who sells surplus or a boneyard that has trucks should have some. Don't overpay.

Any pics of that landing leg on the left side of that pic?

 

[bigndn]

There's a surplus store near Flying J at Exit 7 (???) on I-90. They might have what you are looking for.

Found it:

SOS Surplus (208) 777-0382

 

[fireflyr]

I bought my military tires from Coker. They have the non-directional tread tire that may have come stock on your trailer. Mine went on a little M100.

Coker Tire

Millitary Tires - Coker Tire

 

[yoda-g3]

Thanks guys.

Just curious if anyone knows what kind of millage to expect out of these things? Do they last a long time or are you lucky to get a few thousand miles out of them?

 

[centerlineseal]

I just pulled what looks like to be original wheels off a M100, 1952 manufacture date, plus the spare. The spare is rivited, the on-the-ground wheels looked to be military, but of more modern manufacture.

I replaced them with custom wheels which came off my Ford F150, 1995. I believe 5 on 4.5" spacing, but for sure Ford 15" truck wheels.

I'm looking to sell these and can take pics if you are interested.

Location is in Boise and with the son heading to Moscow for college this fall, I bet we can get them up there to Spokane.

Jim Seal
jfseal@palconsult.com

 

[fireflyr]

The M100 and M416 rims should be standard Jeep 5 x 5 1/2" lug spacing. The M100 rims look like a conventional rim (16") while the M416 are the ones on my trailer (M100). I had to increase the hole for the hub to fit thru on the 416 rim and also use spacers because the back spacing is different. Does that make sense?

I guess what I'm trying to say is be careful. Back spacing and hub diameters may be different.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

Hmmm. I think yoda's got it, but some of you guys are mixing apples and oranges here.

The US M101 is a 16" large pattern split rim known as a Budd wheel, they're found on Power Wagons and some other medium duty trucks from the era. The tire size was 900-16 which is 35" OD

They have nothing in common with the M100-M416 jeep size rims which are tiny things

The NDT's will probably dry rot before you ever wear them out on a trailer.

 

[LCrusherTX]

These are 235/85-16 about 32" tall, if you have 900-16 NDT they're probably 35" tall. Wheels are power wagon and some other real oddball stuff, anybody who sells surplus or a boneyard that has trucks should have some. Don't overpay.


Edit - removed the M715 - wrong info

What type of inner tube did you use for these tires? I'm set to replace the NDT tires with a 285/75-16 but the guy doing the swap says I need tubes with bent valve stems. Can you share any info on what you used and where you bought the tubes?

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Anyone know the bolt pattern on those wheels?

Bolt pattern is 5 on 6 7/8"
Bolt stud hole size is 1 1/4" (chamfered)
Hub center hole is 4 7/8"
Back spacing is 7"

Stockton wheel has non-Budd rim options for early Power Wagons, the M37 Weapons Carrier, and the M101/M101A1 Trailer.

One option is to cut out the center section of the Budd rim, then have it welded into a 16.5" outer rim (wheel blank).

(Edit - I missed Cruiser Nerd's link - same info.)

These are 235/85-16 about 32" tall, if you have 900-16 NDT they're probably 35" tall. Wheels are power wagon and some other real oddball stuff, anybody who sells surplus or a boneyard that has trucks should have some. Don't overpay.


Edit - removed the M715 - wrong info

Brand new, mounted, with no weight on them, the 900x16 NDT tires are 36".

With a vehicle as heavy as an M37, you'll lose an inch between the hub and pavement as the tire flattens slightly.

On an empty trailer, closer to 36". Not enough weight to flatten the tire much. On a fully loaded trailer, you'll lose just under an inch.

900x16 NDT tires have a crowned (rounded) tread cross section. The tire basically runs on a narrow strip in the center, especially when unloaded. This is point of highest wear. As they wear, it's not uncommon to see these tires lose 1/2" in diameter quickly, and eventually a full inch. These tires were designed mainly for off road use, and unfortunately they wear quickly on pavement.

 

[pohlease]

I can't believe no one commented on how great looking your truck is.

I bought my military tires from Coker. They have the non-directional tread tire that may have come stock on your trailer. Mine went on a little M100.

Coker Tire

Millitary Tires - Coker Tire

 

[moneytimetycoon]

These are 235/85-16 about 32" tall, if you have 900-16 NDT they're probably 35" tall. Wheels are power wagon and some other real oddball stuff, anybody who sells surplus or a boneyard that has trucks should have some. Don't overpay.


Edit - removed the M715 - wrong info
View attachment 310903

Sorry for the dead thread revival (at least it shows I searched lol) but has assuming these tires worked, can I run a 255/85/16?

 

[greentruck]

Sorry for the dead thread revival (at least it shows I searched lol) but has assuming these tires worked, can I run a 255/85/16?

Are you talking about on a M101 CDN like the OP? or something else?

The M101 CDN (the Canadian 1/4 ton, not the US 3/4 ton) will accommodate tires up to 33" (ie the 255/85/16) without any modification to the suspension. There's no need for a spring over, for instance.

That said, the factory fenders will not cover them properly and legally in most state. It's possible that the fender lip could hit the tire tread at full compression, I don't know. I solved the problem by having custom extra wide fenders made. First pic is trailer with stock fenders, second is trailer with custom fenders and same tires, the third is with the 255/85R16 tires.. They mount exactly the same.

 

[moneytimetycoon]

I was talking about the M101a1 US 3/4 ton trailer. I like the military look and parking brake, but it looks like im headed for an axle swap.

 

[greentruck]

I was talking about the M101a1 US 3/4 ton trailer. I like the military look and parking brake, but it looks like im headed for an axle swap.

OK, yep, that's what a lot of folks do, saves a bunch of weight, too, from what I recall.

You don't have to give up your parking brake though. Dexter offers several parking brake options on their braked axles. I'm familiar with the 3500 lb ones, because that's what fits the 1/4 ton trailers best. You may want to consider a higher capacity axle. In the 3500 lb axles, you can get electric brakes with a mechanical parking brake option for under $400, which is what I have planned for our M101 CDN. Hydraulic is another option and I think there was at least one more.