Michelin 9.00R-16 XL's

[JimCT]

Anyone have any experience running these on a 109 military chassis? Thinking of a set for our '68 Marshall ambulance.

[greenmeanie]

I have not run them personally but I have seen them on a 101. IIRC these are about 36" tall tyres which is going to have quite an effect on your gearing and I suspect your turning circle will be comparible with a super tanker. For comparison the standard bar grip as seen on the one ton LRs is between 34-35" depending on who made them.

I'd say that for a stock 2.25 they're probably a bit too much tyre.

[SafeAirOne]

IIRC these are about 36" tall tyres which is going to have quite an effect on your gearing and I suspect your turning circle will be comparible with a super tanker.

I'd say that for a stock 2.25 they're probably a bit too much tyre.

I was thinking the same thing. I have experience with 900x16 tires, but not on a rover. I wouldn't run them on an otherwise unmodified series rover--they are huge. Skinny, but huge.

[TSR53]

The 109 pink panthers I think ran the 9.00 x 16 Michelin XS sand tire. They also had the wider offset rims. If you do get some XLs put some sipes in the tread as they are squirly in the wet. Some of the ex-MoD 109s we had here FS were equipped with the 7.50 x 16 XCLs and I was able to drive one for an extened time. Def need tread siping.

[greenmeanie]

By all acounts the pinkies were lucky if they could win a race against a camel so acceleration won't be great.

[JimCT]

the 255's we are running now are about 33", t he 9.00's 36, that isn't a huge increase. Works out about to about the equivalent of a 4.3 something diff gearing. About 9% difference. Seems like that should be doable.

[Eric W S]

the 255's we are running now are about 33", t he 9.00's 36, that isn't a huge increase. Works out about to about the equivalent of a 4.3 something diff gearing. About 9% difference. Seems like that should be doable.

Gearing is going to be the least of your worries.

[TSR53]

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l371/brett1403/Whaddon/DSC00003.jpg

Thread located here. (http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f6/series-3-springs-above-axel-conversion-66647-2.html)

[leafsprung]

36 is a big jump from 33. especially when you consider the tires will scrub the chassis and springs with 33s even on 1 ton rims. Your turning radius will diminsh significantly. Michelins are also pretty much non serviceable because of their limited availability. I dont even think the XCLs are in production any longer. Any of these tires you buy are going to be old. The XCLs are awful on road and marginal offroad. I guess if you want it to just look cool it would be okay. Does your truck have lockers yet? Still 10 spline in the front?

[JimCT]

I could care less about the looks and the 255's work perfectly well beneath the ambulance's military chassis, no rubbing, Wolf wheels. The Winter Romp this year made it clear to me that the biggest tires i can fit work the best, simple as that. More clearance under the diffs and chassis. Will be putting a Detroit locker in the Salisbury rear, but want to keep the front open. Tall and narrow works well in the snow, the ambulance too heavy to stay on top anyway. And they really do not look all that huge on the 88

[leafsprung]

I have run 255s on one ton rims which have more offset than the wolf rims and you definitely have to adjust the steering stops for them not to rub against the springs. You would have to adjust them further to prevent rubbing with the 9.00 x 16s. Diminishing the already poor turning radius of the 109 even further. I wouldnt run either on a 5000 pound truck with a ten spline front end though. On last years snow run we had a turbo diesel 109 with 9x16 michelins and he spent the entire day digging that truck out. The tires are too rigid, do not flex well. Big tires are good in the snow but they need to be wide for a bigger foot print unless the snow is not very deep. 37x12.50 MTRs work well when fully locked. 38x14.50s are great too if you can make the room and have the motor to turn them. Q78R16 maybe an option for you but Id consider 33x12.50 MTRs locked before Id go 9x16. The 9x16 michelins look cool, but there is no support for them should anything happed to them and they are pretty lousy in snow.

http://www.pangolin4x4.com/tillamook/xzlsstuck.jpg

Towing him out with the MTRs (similar rolling diameter) They ran circles around the XCLs. Both aired down to about 13lbs.
http://www.pangolin4x4.com/tillamook/xzltow.jpg

Little Vid with the MTRs:

http://www.pangolin4x4.com/tillamook/doubletow.mp4