Military NDTs
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles or Spokane
Military NDTs
What do you guys think about running tall, skinny military NDTs on a 73 F250. I was thinking 11.00x20. They are about 42" Tall and like 11" or 12" wide. They can be bought really cheap (retreads for about $100 a pop) and they got the Army through a World War and dozens of conflicts.
Anyone ever done this? What about rims? I guess I would need custom 20 inch rims with an 8 on 6.5 lug pattern. Are there any shops out there that do this? Anyone have any experience running tubed tires? Can they be aired down very much?
Thanks!
Anyone ever done this? What about rims? I guess I would need custom 20 inch rims with an 8 on 6.5 lug pattern. Are there any shops out there that do this? Anyone have any experience running tubed tires? Can they be aired down very much?
Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Military NDTs
Stockton Wheel is the only specific name that comes to mind for custom rims, but there are alot of smaller companies all around the country that do that. When I worked at a commercial tire store we used to buy custom-made rims for oddball equipment as it was cheaper than buying the ones from the factory, when they could even be found from a place up in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. I can find out the name if you want. Regardless of anything, get a one-piece locking ring on the rim, the two-piece rings are rather dangerous especially if you aren't familiar with them. The two-piece rings are supposed to be illegal to sell now, but someone might try to slip you some old stock.
As far as the tires themselves go, the military used to deflate them to 5 psi on the DUKW's while climbing up sandy beaches, the tube makes it impossible to pop the bead obviously. I doubt that even that will make them squat much under your truck though, they are pretty stiff and bias just makes them worse. If the stiffness doesn't bother you, go for it. Short of a sharp piece of metal I don't think you will ever be able to puncture one with the load you are putting on it.
As far as the tires themselves go, the military used to deflate them to 5 psi on the DUKW's while climbing up sandy beaches, the tube makes it impossible to pop the bead obviously. I doubt that even that will make them squat much under your truck though, they are pretty stiff and bias just makes them worse. If the stiffness doesn't bother you, go for it. Short of a sharp piece of metal I don't think you will ever be able to puncture one with the load you are putting on it.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
From: Golden ,CO USA
Military NDTs
try looking for the wheels you need at www.usa6x6.com they make specailty wheels for anything. they also sell military axles and tires.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
16x38.5x15 super swamper TSL
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock
TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
16x38.5x15 super swamper TSL
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock
TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 851
Likes: 15
From: Elkton, MD
Military NDTs
those tires suck off road, and in the rain, and don't offer much traction. my dad has pulled alot of stuck mil. trucks out of the mud cause of non directional tires, he has told me they are aweful on ice, and not too good in the rain either. I have to be really careful when I drive my deuce and a half in the rain, they are kinda slick. it is basicly a slick tire with chuncks cut out of each side, so they will slide real easily. They are also very stiff, I had 2 flats on one side of one axle of my deuce and they hardly squated under the weight of the truck and 2500 pounds in the bed. The valve stems dissappear when they are driven flat, will probally happen when you run them on low pressure.
