New Tires for Lightweight

[Duckman]

I have a Series III lightweight and am in dire need of new tires. As a part of this I am wanting to go back to stock as much as possible - not only for looks but also for the sake of getting my speedo to read as correct as possible. Using the stock 5.5 x 16 rims I am looking to go with a set of 215/85/16. These seem to be the closest in diameter and width to the stock 6.5 x 16 that I can find. Is anyone else running anything this size? My current tires are 235/85/16's so I am not expecting any issues going down in diameter as far as fitting the stock rims. Also looking at Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac's if anyone has any experience. Thanks.

[cedryck]

I like BFG, had mud terrain on my d90 (truck long gone, lives in Tennesse now) and I have BFG MK2 on my series. Like them, good tires.

[jac04]

The original size on the Lightweights was actually 6.00 x 16. Dutch Lightweights were fitted with 7.00 x 16 tires. 215/85-16 would certainly fit the bill and look appropriate. I went larger and ran 7.50 x 16 Michelin XZLs on my Lightweight. Pricey, but a nice 'military' tire.

If you are going for the military look, then Coker has a few cool looking tires available. Not sure they would be that great to drive on:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-67640/overview/

https://www.cokertire.com/650-16-firestone-knobby-truck.html

[parksy]

To be honest they may have been despatched with 6.00 x 16 but as an end user (British Airborne/Air Assault) we quickly put them on 7.50x16s so they were the same as our other landies/Trailers etc. The trailers also started on 6.00x16s.
Michelin XZL 7.50x16 look great on them in my humble opinion and is one of the tyres we used to run!

Parksy

[Duckman]

Dang it, just when I thought I had put this to rest. Those XZL do look the business - any ideas on distributers? I can't find anything on Michelin's webpage.

[jac04]

Those XZL do look the business - any ideas on distributers?

Rovers North has them. Only $1700 for a set of 5:

http://www.roversnorth.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=MICHXZL-5&type=3

[rwollschlager]

Rovers North has them. Only $1700 for a set of 5:
http://www.roversnorth.com/ProductDe...CHXZL-5&type=3

but you save $149.80!!!!!!

[Les Parker]

And they sell fast ! And last forever.

[jac04]

but you save $149.80!!!!!!

Yeah, with that kind of savings I may have to buy a set just in case....
... or the kids sure would like 5 tire swings!!

[Duckman]

Yeah, with that kind of savings I may have to buy a set just in case....
... or the kids sure would like 5 tire swings!!

I was thinking the same thing.
"Hey kids, these tires are the reason we are eating bologna every night for dinner."

[jac04]

"Hey kids, these tires are the reason we are eating bologna every night for dinner."

Oh no, you won't even be able to afford that. Think Ramen Noodles!!

Anyhow, I definitely splurged on the XZLs when I restored my Lightweight. They really are an awesome looking tire, and I was very surprised at how they were on the road - they handle very well in dry conditions and don't make much noise at all. You just need to run them at about 25/28 psi. Wet traction, however, was horrible.

Just get them. You know you want them. Make sure to post pics after they're installed.

[cedryck]

How about longevity, will they last, or die young?

[darbsclt]

And they sell fast ! And last forever.

When I moved from 15" to 16" rims... I knew that I wanted "original" (old school) looking 7.5 x 16 radial tires. With that in mind, I had a hard time finding any alternatives that I liked more than the XZL's. Unfortunately, I also had a hard time with the price from our hosts (I needed a full set of five). I even looked at importing a set directly.

After much research and crunching the numbers (freight, customs, currency conversions) I determined that purchasing them from RN was the best option for me. After the initial sticker shock... I have to say that these tires are among the best investments I have made in my vehicle. RN's service was fast... the tires arrived in perfect condition... they ride GREAT... and look even better.

In short - I love them

[jac04]

How about longevity, will they last, or die young?

I only had about 3k all-pavement miles on mine when I sold the vehicle, but they still showed signs of the molding 'nubs' on the face of the tread.

[Les Parker]

Nice ! Thanks for sharing the pic. As I've said before, they last long time.