Tires for my Archaeology FJ 73

[Archaeology TLC]

I have a 1989 toyota Landcrusier that is currently running 3 Goodyear tires size 215/85-R15 and one Firestone tire at 7.00/R15. I would like to have five new tires in either size. I have been looking at the SilentArmor Wrangler I would like to know if they come in either size or one that is compatable? I have been unsuccessful in finding the right size online for any brand anywhere. Someone said that 235s might fit, but I don't want to ship these all the way to the Caribbean without knowing for sure.

Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Grant

R. Grant Gilmore III, PhD
Island Archaeologist and Director
St. Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research
St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles
Dutch West Indies
www.secar.org

 

[crushers]

you can run 33x9.5x15 on a stock 73,74 series with decent stock springs. the more bagged the springs the smaller the tires...

 

[roscoFJ73]

I have a 1989 toyota Landcrusier that is currently running 3 Goodyear tires size 215/85-R15 and one Firestone tire at 7.00/R15. I would like to have five new tires in either size. I have been looking at the SilentArmor Wrangler I would like to know if they come in either size or one that is compatable? I have been unsuccessful in finding the right size online for any brand anywhere. Someone said that 235s might fit, but I don't want to ship these all the way to the Caribbean without knowing for sure.

Hi Grant. Is this vehicle an ex Red Cross soft top that you posted a pic of on Pirate4x4 sometime back?

 

[Archaeology TLC]

Archaeology LandCruiser Tires

Yes, this the same FJ73. Slowly putting things right. Got rid of the soft top. Now have a FRP top from an old FJ75 I found in out behind a garage here on the island. Stripping parts off the old FJ75 for me to use. Also replaced the shocks with RANCHOS In response to the the previous post, I am wondering how tires for a 9.5 inch rim would fit on my stock 7 inch split rims? I am not up on how the tire measurements work. I found what I thought were good tires locally but then I was told by the gararge that they were too wide and would hit the inside of the wheel wells when I turned....

Cheers,
Grant

 

[Entaran]

a 33x9.5x15 tyre is 33inches tall (diametre outside of tread to outside of tread opposite side) 9.5 inches wide (across the tread) and 15 inch internal diametre (rim size)

So a 33 x 9.5 x 15 tyre will fit on a 15 inch rim, be 33 inches high from ground to top of tyre and 9.5 inches wide across the tread or approximately 240 profile.

Being that 285 is simply a metric measurement (and being that i'm aussie and use metrics) 9.5 inches is about 240 mm. So the metric sizing (although it doesn't apply here) would be approximately 240/95/15 if it helps.

 

[Archaeology TLC]

Toughest tires

Thanks very much for the help guys. Next question is what will survive best on volcanic basalt? I am driving off-road about 50% of the time and I live on the side of a volcano, thus the tires are subjected to a great deal of abuse as far as rock is concerned. The basalt is sharp and as hard as granite. Also, I am dealing with mowing over acacia bushes/trees with 3-5 inch thorns. Will the Wrangler Silent Armor tires do the job? Anyone have any advice on this?

 

[Greg_B]

Thanks very much for the help guys. Next question is what will survive best on volcanic basalt? I am driving off-road about 50% of the time and I live on the side of a volcano, thus the tires are subjected to a great deal of abuse as far as rock is concerned. The basalt is sharp and as hard as granite. Also, I am dealing with mowing over acacia bushes/trees with 3-5 inch thorns. Will the Wrangler Silent Armor tires do the job? Anyone have any advice on this?

If this was me, and for the environment you mention...I would turf the 15" wheels, get some 16" wheels and go with either the Michelin XZY or XZL.

http://www.destoop.com/trip/1 PREPARATION/2 Vehicle specification/XZY_page.htm

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/michelin/indexmain.shtml

Both available in the 7.50R16 size. As for the best loction for purchase...That will take some searching.

Other then that...I am not aware of any other tire I would place in the category.

What are others who run vehicles in that environment using, and what is thier service life. Compare that to the initial cost of the Michelin and compare end costs and inconvienance.

hth's

gb

 

[Archaeology TLC]

Michelin XZL

Wow, those seem to be the best there are. I will see about getting some, will check the local car/truck rusting facility for 16 inch wheels.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Entaran]

I suggest you look into Coopers ST-C cut & chip compound. We run them in the outback around here and do 30+ thousand km's over mulga roots and the like and they don't get any punctures.

Other tyre of my choice would be Coopers STT with armortek carcass.

 

[Greg_B]

I suggest you look into Coopers ST-C cut & chip compound. We run them in the outback around here and do 30+ thousand km's over mulga roots and the like and they don't get any punctures.

Other tyre of my choice would be Coopers STT with armortek carcass.

Cool, great feedback and I've wondered about the ST-C, and am running the SST's right now as daily drivers...light wheeling. I am going to strongly consider the STT's to replace the SST's next time. They had not come out when I got my Coopers.

That said, I do not think many tires will beat something that is built like the XL, XCL, XZL, or XZY lines, and if I was going to travel the world, or be on rocks daily that shred tires...it would be Michelin. Think military conflicts and the need to not worry about tires.

hth's

gb

 

[Entaran]

I don't think you can get ST-C's outside of Australia so i'm not sure entirely. I've never even seen the michelin tyres you're talking about, I don't think they'd sell over here so michelin probably doesn't bring them in.

The coopers tyres are wonderful for gravel/salt/etc also for rocky roads, but if you're going rock crawling that's a different story I suppose. From my understanding the driving to be done would be best served by the ST-C (Cut & Chip) if you can source them otherwise i'd look at STT's but htey are 80/20 off/on whereas ST-C's are 50/50 off/on.

 

[Tapage]

did you drive in mud .. ? ( sorry I'm not sure if is posible around a Volcano ) O thought if the answer is not .. MTR are good ones for rocks .. also the BFG crawlers.

 

[brownbear]

Well If you want my opinion...235 85 R16 is the best tire size for finding commercial grade tires. That last. Guys would drive on the logging roads and bush here run that size with a commercial grade tire.

All BFG mud/interco....etc will wear out instantly here. Waste of time.

I use Bridgestone VSX v-steel. I use it because the mines use it. E load rating. And they are tough. Also good tires are yokohama 742. They are tough too. We studd them up here in the winter. But they are not a winter tire.

I also want the XZL Michelin. But not available here do to a war in the middle east........wonder which one?

Nother tough tire used here is Toyo M55. The best tough tires are in the 235/85/16 size.

Your junk yard should have a 16 toyota rim you can use. I hate 15 inch. No good load ratings in large tires. When you drive a loaded BJ60 up a gravel road you need tough tires. I have been on the scales over 6000lbs. Then you add a trailer etc....

 

[Greg_B]

Nother tough tire used here is Toyo M55.

Yes, forgot to mention this one. Might be a tad easier to find too. Would be interesting to get some feedback on these, in that terrain.

Archaeology TLC, any progress on this?

gb

 

[BJ-44]

In Okinawa, Japan where we have volcanic rock an coral rock I have run 35 10.5 15 B.F. Goodrich mud terrain KOs ( not KA's) for 3 and half years. I put about 20,000 miles a year on my truck with heavy loads. My tires still have 2/3rds their tread and I four wheel about 2 times a month. They are very resistant to chunking and are probably the best all around tire (on/offroad). I love em.