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1941 - 1945, MB, GPW Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the WWII jeep.
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Toby W
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Toby W » Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:00 pm

Are there new testimonials out there how the new GoodYears hold up? Mileage expectations?
How are the Speedways? I heard they only hold about 5k miles.
Anybody?


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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Duke113P » Wed Oct 26, 2016 7:30 am

Just mounted four new Firestone 6.00 - 16's on my son's combat rims. These are the "new" ones and they look amazing. We are both very happy with them so far.
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Oct 27, 2016 3:38 am

Tour tire life/mileage depends on front end alignment, condition of steering components, wheel bearing and steering knuckle condition.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Rod Rushton » Thu Oct 27, 2016 8:05 am

I've just seen this thread and just last year I saw advertised on e-bay STA NDT's which were on offer at £70 each and I immediately bought 10 - a set for my GPW, 4 for my trailers and a spare.
When I first bought my Jeep in 1989, I gave it a set of Modistones, which were of Indian origin. Although I did very little mileage on them, they had started to crack and I decided not to risk my newly restored Pride and Joy to old rubber, so when I saw the STA's were manufactured in the USA, I jumped at them.
I'm not a died-in-the -wool purist as far as matching the original tread patterns perfectly - I have experienced Indian and Chinese rubber products which left much to be desired.
We in the UK do not have the luxury - or in my case, money to afford the prices charged for so called "Original Pattern" and Manufacturers Brands. I was looking for good value, NDT tyres, and so far I am very satisfied with the performance and longevity (3500 miles so far, and still look like new)
I am aware of it not being 100% original - but seeing how my GPW was in service with the British Army until 1957 - and had been through their workshops, which went by the mantra "if it fits, bolt it on" with no allegiance to either Willys or Ford.
I restored my GPW - it happened to retain an original Ford Chassis and motor along the way - I decided as it was going to be a salad, then it would be MY salad, with certain under the skin modifications to suit me. I have fitted a Weber Carburetor, 12v Alternator, hi-torque geared starter motor Quartz-Halogen headlight units controlled by relays to save the switch, a dry-element air cleaner, overdrive bolted to a Hotchkiss drum braked transfer case, vacuum wiper motors, and free wheeling front hubs.
Presently I am gathering up all the parts to fit the Suzuki Disc Brakes, initially to the front axle, and possibly at a later date, all round.
I would add my Jeep was the first one I ever sat in, then 3 weeks later was invited to drive it - that was back in 1967, and in 1987 was offered it by an old friend. Since my first Jeep Experience I have had literally countless MV's,of all Nationalities, but my Jeep holds Pride of Place in my Heart
Rod Rushton - Winner 2013 MVT Wilkinson Sword Trophy
Exeter Devon UK
FORD GPW 202055 DoD 5 - 22 - 44 Serial# 20534360
MBT # 25553 DoD 4 - 43
Piper Cub 1944 L4H 480015 G-AKIB

1942 CHEVROLET G506 CARGO. #2NM 213219
1943 AUSTIN LIGHT UTILITY M6448770

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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by jpet » Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:35 am

Hi all,

Recently, I talked to an engineer at Speedways about their tires. Here is my question and the engineer's response:
jpet wrote:Do you have any actual pictures of your 750-16 NDTs? The ones on the website are a generic picture. How many lugs per side are they? You wouldn’t happen to know the durometer of the rubber would you? Thanks!

I’m not a company. I am a Jeep enthusiast who likes to go off-road with NDT tires. Normally, I run a 750-16 NDT tire made by STA. Some of my friends in the US are using Speedways tires and they claim that they are softer than STA tires. I’d like to know if this is true and If so, how much softer. A softer tire would be better for me in off-road situations. I’m also curious if there are more lugs per tire than an STA tire. More lugs is better for my application
Speedways wrote: Hey jeff you can go on line to www.speedwaystyres.com
to look at catalog i sold a bunch to texas buddies i sold militaries in guatamula and venusian army mexico and chile the tire is a better made compound we just don’t chase the special tire part of it they are used off road around world volume not big enough to dot change mounds for in usa since it’s tube type san marcos texas tire factory used to sell a lot and i sold museums and vets in houston memorial they love them over the 120 sta tire which is probably more now i see about picture they are rim and tire regulation size ! We have most advanced mixing facility and extruded in world and build 2 of them. STA uses old dico plant went broke in 80’s i been doing this 32 years father founded tbc and i built tire mound facility in 87 for hankook father inlaw thought goodyear and michelin how to build mounds and i worked for director of worldwide racing in 80’s when we made high speed radials
We have a more optimized cavity and it make tire handle better don’t think that old dico plant has the technology
I purchased a 750-16 NDT from them so I I have some information on Speedway 750-16 tires:

Here is a pic of the 750-16 mounted on a 6" wide wheel as recommended:

Image

Here is a pic of three tires, (left) 700-16 STA, (center) 750-16, Speedways (right)750-16 STA

Image

.... as you can see, the 750-16 speedway is closer in size to a 700-16 STA. Both the 700-16 STA (used), and the 750-16 Speedways measure 30" in diameter at full inflation. The 750-16 mounted on a KH 5" wide wheel measures 32" in diameter. Both of these STAs have the "Firestone" logo on the side.

STA 750-16 tread width is 6-1/2":

Image

Speedways tread width is 5-1/2":

Image

STA 700-16 is 5-3/4" wide:

Image

The 750-16 Speedways calls for a 6" wide wheel but this tire is very narrow and IMO would fit better on a 4-1/2" wide wheel. This tire was not easy to mount on a 6" wide wheel. I had to use a strap.

I have no reason to doubt the quality of the Speedways tire. Since this company makes tires for agriculture, construction, and military purpose so the tires are not DOT approved. For my application, DOT is not necessary.

My question is, has anyone purchased a 900-16 NDT from Speedways?.... If so, can I get some dimensional information like what I have provided? I noticed in the first post made by Farrell Fox, that he is comparing a 700-16 Speedway to 600-16 STA and Firestone. The 700 Speedway appears to have the same dimensions as the USA made 600-16. In my own observation, the 750-16 Speedway is the same size as a 700-16 STA. Are the 900-16s also proportionally smaller? A 900-16 STA is about 35" tall and too big for my Jeep. If the Speedways are closer to 33" tall, they might serve my purpose. I'd go look at one but the only vendors I can find are in California.

Thanks!
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Doughawn » Mon Feb 12, 2018 12:44 pm

On the NDT Firestone tires, when mounting them does the name MILITARY face outward?

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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by dpcd67 » Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:09 pm

They say Military on both sides. The ones I am looking at right now do.
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:46 pm

Best install the correct size Military tire on your Jeep or they will not look right. The MB is geared higher than the M-38/M-38A1, and CJ 4 Cyl Jeeps. Installing 7.00 16 and up on MB/GPW takes some clutch slipping to get rolling.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Farrell Fox » Mon Feb 12, 2018 5:57 pm

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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by dpcd67 » Mon Feb 12, 2018 6:04 pm

The bigger tires on WW2 jeeps look better to me. Like M38s.
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Feb 12, 2018 6:09 pm

The turning radius with 7.50 X tires is noticeably restricted due to the tires contacting the MB/GPW frame.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Farrell Fox » Mon Feb 12, 2018 6:59 pm

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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by jpet » Mon Feb 19, 2018 5:14 pm

I have received some information on the Speedways 900-16 NDTs. They are 35" in diameter and the tread is 10" wide. I wish someone made a 33" NDT but they don't seem to exist.....
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by Ernie Baals » Tue Feb 20, 2018 9:01 am

The army used 750X16s on the sand kits during the war
The turning radius is smaller due to the tires hitting the frame
I have run into this many tomes on jeeps i have brought home with larger tires, even 700X16s will rub the frame unless you change he steering stops
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Re: Current Production Tire Review. STA, Firestone, Speeday

Post by jpet » Tue Feb 20, 2018 4:00 pm

dpcd67 wrote:
Mon Feb 12, 2018 6:04 pm
The bigger tires on WW2 jeeps look better to me. Like M38s.
If you ever wondered what your g503 would look like on 900-16s ...

Image

Image

Normally, I run 750s

Image

.... but I have a Dana 30 up front.
FYI, this jeep was made from parts of jeeps long gone. No g503 was modified or hacked up.

Does anyone know of a 750-16 NDT out there that has the smaller lugs like a 700-16? STAs all have to large lugs. Speedways have the small lugs but they are no taller than a 700-16.
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