New FJ40 owner - a few questions!

[locklaw]

Thanks..

Yes I was pleased to see it came with AC, Power Steering and a heater. All good, useful options it seems.
I plan to keep the current tyres for a little longer, as you say - they look the part. They are made by a company called Swallow, and seem to be a copy of the old Dunlop pattern, as you suggest. Not sure on the quality, but i've noticed a lot of Middle Eastern 'restorations' being sold with these, so not surprised to see them on it.

Since the majority of the journey is going to be on road, i was wondering about putting some light truck/commercial 10 ply road tyres on it. Not only are they available here in 7.50 R16, but thought they might be quite hard wearing. Any experience of these?

Ah rust... yes, familiar with that battle. This will be joining a collection of mainly British classics that I spend a lot of effort keeping the rust at bay. I've already bought an Airchamber for her to live in inside the storage barn, but will look into the Fluid Film solution - wool wax is pretty amazing stuff.

You're welcome! Regular 10 ply truck tyres will look boring but should serve you very well on the road home, especially since you will likely only find mud on the isles. If, however, you are buying tyres and can get the swallows, I would buy them since the look is correct. If you wanted easy tyre changes and the ability to plug a tyre you might as well get a container and ship it home on a lorry. Not as if you are carting paying passengers around.

To my knowledge Woolwax and Fluid Film are similar products and whichever is easiest to attain should be the right solution. If you are keeping the light patina I have been very impressed with Penetrol.

 

[RPFJ40]

The "benefits" of split rims are wildly overstated. I ran them for several years on my FJ40, and have several tens of thousands of miles experience with them in Africa. Yes, you can break down a wheel and fix a puncture in the field—but ANY puncture requires the full procedure. Safari clients get tired of waiting after a while. With tubeless tires and a plug kit most punctures take about three minutes to fix, on the vehicle. And with Tyrepliers and irons I can pull a tire off a non-split-rim wheel anyway if I need to. Most tires on split rims in Africa etc. are still heavy and rigid bias-ply and ten-ply rated, to fend off thorns and minimize a 30-minute long (if you're good) tube-patching procedure. Split rims sound all romantic and bushman; the reality is different.
View attachment 3520496

Thanks for offering up your experiences on this - its good to have the input from both sides.
If we evaluate my forecasted usage during this year, and then into my time with her back in the UK, I wonder if you're points about punctures are still valid in my scenario...
I will largely be driving on the road here in Qatar over the next 6 months, with occasional trip to the dunes for some gentle fun - limited exposure to punctures based on my current experience.
During the drive to UK, it will pretty much all be on established roads, with the occasional single track or lane if i decide to camp somewhere remote.
When back in the UK, i will only be going out on short local trips, which again will likely be mostly on road, or gravel farm tracks.
Based on this, do you think there is a genuine likelihood I will encounter punctures any more than a tubeless set up? By this, I mean is there something intrinsic to the tube/split ring set up that causes punctures - rubbing of tube on metal for example? Or is your experience in African subjective to the environments you were exposing the tyres to?
The 10 ply truck tyres I have seen on vehicles around Qatar always seem pretty hard wearing - the users are often not that bothered about vehicle maintenance, and/or overloading above capacity...

#This is all new to me, so appreciating all of the inputs. Cheers

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I don't think there's anything about a tubed tire that makes it more prone to punctures, but it's definitely a bigger pain to repair when it happens. Another thing to consider is that it's easier to air down a tubeless tire to pressures that will enhance flotation in sand, etc. Air down a tubed tire too much and you risk the tube shifting and shearing off the stem.

 

[45Dougal]

Yes, I've been searching for these. Unfortunatley they don't seem available in Qatar. The RY215 are the only 7.50R16 I can get from Yokohama...maybe i'd have more luck in UAE.

I see you're in Bristol - maybe we'll get chance to go for a drive when I get back...this is roughly where I'll be based.

Yes UAE seems like a strong bet. Definitely look me up when you're back - don't forget to load it up with spare parts before you leave

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

...I plan to keep the current tyres for a little longer, as you say - they look the part. They are made by a company called Swallow, and seem to be a copy of the old Dunlop pattern, as you suggest. Not sure on the quality, but i've noticed a lot of Middle Eastern 'restorations' being sold with these, so not surprised to see them on it.

Since the majority of the journey is going to be on road, i was wondering about putting some light truck/commercial 10 ply road tyres on it. Not only are they available here in 7.50 R16, but thought they might be quite hard wearing. Any experience of these?

Several Mudders with Middle East experience did use them on their 40 and 60-Series.

These Indonesian-made tyres (Super Swallow S262) are indeed a copy of the the venerable Dunlop Roadtrak Major. IMHO it is worth the trouble to bring this unobtenium to Europe: a few years ago some Mudders tried to bring them from S.Africa to the US with the help of a local brother.

DUNLOP ROAD TRACK MAJORS (RK3) UNIVERSAL LT. @ $154.42

As a result of posting a picture of a HJ45 with 7.50 x 16 12PR Bias Ply Dunlop Universal LT tyres on in another thread. Some excitement and question regarding availability and specifications resulted. Some discussion followed and I have made some enquiries at a retail level. The tyres are...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[CrocDundee]

I'm trying to source some RTM's in Australia with no luck.

Does anyone have any contact details of where the RTM's / Universals are made in Africa?

The Swallows would be great as well if someone has contact details of the factory.

I can't find any details at all anywhere.

 

[charliemeyer007]

It might help if you clearly state what you are looking for in a nearly year old semi dead thread.

WTF is a RTM and does it relate to Swallows somehow? Seems like it could be code for roo porn

 

[bobm]

Split rims KILL people . That's why they change them in a cage now! 10 ply ratings? Most radial tires cover this now, like BFG All terrains have a 10ply tread rating and 8 ply sidewall rating, so if ya want the look search Coker Tire

 

[CrocDundee]

It might help if you clearly state what you are looking for in a nearly year old semi dead thread.

WTF is a RTM and does it relate to Swallows somehow? Seems like it could be code for roo porn

RTM =Dunlop Road Track Major now called Dunlop Universal made in Zimbabwe Africa

Super Swallow S262 is an RTM copy made in Indonesia

I thought I was clear enough as I posted in this thread as it is a thread all about just these very tires.

I'm asking if any knows of the contact details of the factories where they are made as I can't find anyone that imports them into Australia.

 

[CrocDundee]

It might help if you clearly state what you are looking for in a nearly year old semi dead thread.

WTF is a RTM and does it relate to Swallows somehow? Seems like it could be code for roo porn

I probably should start a new thread, I just thought some of the original posters may have some information on them.

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

RTM =Dunlop Road Track Major now called Dunlop Universal made in Zimbabwe Africa

Super Swallow S262 is an RTM copy made in Indonesia

I thought I was clear enough as I posted in this thread as it is a thread all about just these very tires.

I'm asking if any knows of the contact details of the factories where they are made as I can't find anyone that imports them into Australia.

It seems that they ceased to produce the Dunlop Universal in S. Africa. It doen't appear anymore even in their 2016 catalog (it did in their 2011 catalog)...
I'm affraid that your only choice would be the Indonesian made Super Swallow or similar tyres from South East Asia and China (this is the path they choose our brothers in some areas of the planet, e.g. in the Middle East). Don't know if you can get them downunder though...

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Some of the copies of the Dunlop Road Ttack Major, still existing today:
1) Tiron HZ2A (made in Indonesia)

 

[CrocDundee]

Some of the copies of the Dunlop Road Ttack Major, still existing today:
1) Tiron (made in Thailand)

View attachment 4012036

View attachment 4012037

Thanks Greek Cruiserhead, that helps me a lot and it puts the Africa bit to rest.

The Swallows were at once stage made in my size 7.00 x 16 so that may be a chance. Though I can't find them on the web, not sure if you are able?

The Tiron from your attachment might only be in 7.50x16 so I may be out of luck with them. ??

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

2) Super Swallow S262 (made in Indonesia), see page 9 (17) of the attached catalog

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

3) DEESTONE D903 (Made in Thailand), see attached gatalog, p.49

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

4) CHENGSHAN CSH64 (Made in China and/or Thailand)

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

5) ARMOUR M7 (Made in China)

 

[CrocDundee]

Thankyou Greek Cruiserhead, that is epic research, I would never have found any of that.

Some of those brands are actually imported into Australia. I'm hoping I can find someone agreeable to bring some in for me.

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Thankyou Greek Cruiserhead, that is epic research, I would never have found any of that.

Some of those brands are actually imported into Australia. I'm hoping I can find someone agreeable to bring some in for me.

You're welcome mate, that's Mud!
Wish you good luck with your search in Australia!

 

[CrocDundee]

You're welcome mate, that's Mud!
Wish you good luck with your search in Australia!

Thanks again and cheers you to mate