10:01 am
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline
So during the last club Zoom Happy Hour, I mentioned that I am looking/thinking to purchase a set of new tires & wheels for my Samurai primarily for wheeling in and climbing rocks. I like my Super Swampers in everything else, the samurai doesn't weigh enough to make the swampers grab the rocks like I want.
Brad and Guy convinced me to go with aluminum wheels. (note Brad - Flat black) So found these "fake beadlocks" I like 15x8 with -19 offset.
So now on to tires... I am asking the advice of the club about the two brand and models ,in my price range, that I am looking at. There is a rebate that makes the MT's same price as Coopers. All are 35x12.50R15 with a C2 Load Range.
Also I am open to suggestions in that size and Load Range in the price range of $230 - $250 AND must be available at Americia's Tire. Important !! Great rock climbing tire.
First the Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3
I know more off road status, but have read knob edges wear extremely fast.
Second Cooper Discoverer STT Pro 
I have found only positive about this tire.
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
12:48 pm
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline And there are these:
Patagona Milestar M/T 
They are $30-$50 less per tire. Weigh 4lbs per tire less than MT and Cooper. Anybody know about these?
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
1:12 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Specialsoundman said
And there are these:Patagona Milestar M/T
It's a knock off tire that has a thin sidewall and makes road noise as the tire wears. But your rig is super light so it should be just fine.
2:03 pm
Club Member
February 26, 2014
Offline I heard good things about the Patagonias and being they're 40 lbs lighter could help the ponies or in your case the squirrels.
When betty had her jeep we ran the Mickys they were a good tire.
8:00 pm
July 14, 2016
Offline Specialsoundman said
So during the last club Zoom Happy Hour, I mentioned that I am looking/thinking to purchase a set of new tires & wheels for my Samurai primarily for wheeling in and climbing rocks. I like my Super Swampers in everything else, the samurai doesn't weigh enough to make the swampers grab the rocks like I want.Brad and Guy convinced me to go with aluminum wheels. (note Brad - Flat black) So found these "fake beadlocks" I like 15x8 with -19 offset.
So now on to tires... I am asking the advice of the club about the two brand and models ,in my price range, that I am looking at. There is a rebate that makes the MT's same price as Coopers. All are 35x12.50R15 with a C2 Load Range.
Also I am open to suggestions in that size and Load Range in the price range of $230 - $250 AND must be available at Americia's Tire. Important !! Great rock climbing tire.
First the Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3
Second Cooper Discoverer STT Pro
I have the Cooper stt pro's on my powerstroke and love them not much road noise and so far they are holding up great and it weighs a ton more then your Suzuki
4:03 pm
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline Received the tires today. Took some pictures just to get a idea how they will look. I'm really liking the sidewall tread. Looking forward to getting them on and doing test run out at Prairie City. Planning a Play Day for June 27th. Skip (red Suzuki Tin-top) said he'll provide hotdogs, Potato Salad, Chips, and water. 
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
5:24 pm
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline Looks good. Will you need to trim the body some?
6:31 pm
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline Jeff_R said
Looks good. Will you need to trim the body some?
Probably just trim the edges of the mud flaps, I not sure about the actual body will need it. That will be after they are mounted and I see the inside clearances. That’s the judgement as what will need to do.
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
7:26 pm
Club Member
February 26, 2014
Offline they look good d
Dave
7:51 pm
Club Member
January 19, 2011
Offline Specialsoundman said
Received the tires today. Took some pictures just to get a idea how they will look.
Nice David! Congrats!
Semper Fi
8:03 am
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline Here's the latest Tire news for now.
When I ordered the tires I also ordered the rims from 4wheelparts. Yes I checked with Marc @ MC Motorsports first, He couldn't get them. I checked with and called 4wheelparts "before" I ordered them and they said "in stock ready to ship" also the website said the same thing. Well I just found out last week, 3 weeks later, and being on hold to talk to someone for 1 hour, that they aren't in stock and with no date to fill the order. So I called the company that makes those wheels, was told they have no plans on making any more of the size I need.
So.... I have been wheel shopping everywhere. The challenge is after calculating everything I want to do, mainly remove the wheel spacers, I need wheels with at least a 2" backspacing.The only ones that have that backspacing (that I can afford) are steel. The ones that are DOT approved are getting very rare now.
Great News I found a company and talked to them directly that builds the rims on order. http://www.bassettwheel.com/ with the desired backspacing. They have the centers already punched out and the rims built, when they get the order they wield them up, paint them and ships them out in 3 days.
Don't know if anyone will read this far..... with Bassett custom building the wheels I can, if I want, actually get ones with a 1" backspacing. I know that puts additional extra load on the bearings and all that. Currently I have 4" backspace wheels with 2" spacers. The goal would be the 2" spacers would go away. If I go with the 2" backspace wheels it may cover (may have to have a 1"-1 1/2 spacer) keeping it from rubbing the shock going from a 34x10.50 to a 35x12.50 (both 8" rims) I do rub the shock now very lightly when I flex to the max. With the tire being wider and the rim 8" tire will stick out more past rim edge. Just wondering what your guys thoughts are? Trying to get the rims in as far as possible to avoid them hitting rocks. I'm even thinking I may need to go with a 10" wheel.
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
7:54 pm
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline I read the whole thing. I haven't a clue what you should do. But I did read it!
8:27 am
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline Jeff_R said
I read the whole thing. I haven't a clue what you should do. But I did read it!
Thanks Jeff, for the try....
I went ahead and ordered the 8" wide wheels with 1" backspacing. Going to just go for it. Well see how it works out. So I'm looking at mid July.
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
9:25 am
Club Member
February 26, 2014
Offline I'm having parts delays as well Dave, dumb coronavirus 
1:23 pm
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline Specialsoundman said
Here's the latest Tire news for now.When I ordered the tires I also ordered the rims from 4wheelparts. Yes I checked with Marc @ MC Motorsports first, He couldn't get them. I checked with and called 4wheelparts "before" I ordered them and they said "in stock ready to ship" also the website said the same thing. Well I just found out last week, 3 weeks later, and being on hold to talk to someone for 1 hour, that they aren't in stock and with no date to fill the order. So I called the company that makes those wheels, was told they have no plans on making any more of the size I need.
So.... I have been wheel shopping everywhere. The challenge is after calculating everything I want to do, mainly remove the wheel spacers, I need wheels with at least a 2" backspacing.The only ones that have that backspacing (that I can afford) are steel. The ones that are DOT approved are getting very rare now.
Great News I found a company and talked to them directly that builds the rims on order. http://www.bassettwheel.com/ with the desired backspacing. They have the centers already punched out and the rims built, when they get the order they wield them up, paint them and ships them out in 3 days.
Don't know if anyone will read this far..... with Bassett custom building the wheels I can, if I want, actually get ones with a 1" backspacing. I know that puts additional extra load on the bearings and all that. Currently I have 4" backspace wheels with 2" spacers. The goal would be the 2" spacers would go away. If I go with the 2" backspace wheels it may cover (may have to have a 1"-1 1/2 spacer) keeping it from rubbing the shock going from a 34x10.50 to a 35x12.50 (both 8" rims) I do rub the shock now very lightly when I flex to the max. With the tire being wider and the rim 8" tire will stick out more past rim edge. Just wondering what your guys thoughts are? Trying to get the rims in as far as possible to avoid them hitting rocks. I'm even thinking I may need to go with a 10" wheel.
I think getting rid of the wheel spacers on a front axle alone makes this a worth while activity. Also seems like this rim talk is just dancing around to the inevitable toyota axle swap discussion.
7:02 pm
July 14, 2016
Offline kris_olof said
Specialsoundman said
Here's the latest Tire news for now.
When I ordered the tires I also ordered the rims from 4wheelparts. Yes I checked with Marc @ MC Motorsports first, He couldn't get them. I checked with and called 4wheelparts "before" I ordered them and they said "in stock ready to ship" also the website said the same thing. Well I just found out last week, 3 weeks later, and being on hold to talk to someone for 1 hour, that they aren't in stock and with no date to fill the order. So I called the company that makes those wheels, was told they have no plans on making any more of the size I need.
So.... I have been wheel shopping everywhere. The challenge is after calculating everything I want to do, mainly remove the wheel spacers, I need wheels with at least a 2" backspacing.The only ones that have that backspacing (that I can afford) are steel. The ones that are DOT approved are getting very rare now.
Great News I found a company and talked to them directly that builds the rims on order. http://www.bassettwheel.com/ with the desired backspacing. They have the centers already punched out and the rims built, when they get the order they wield them up, paint them and ships them out in 3 days.
Don't know if anyone will read this far..... with Bassett custom building the wheels I can, if I want, actually get ones with a 1" backspacing. I know that puts additional extra load on the bearings and all that. Currently I have 4" backspace wheels with 2" spacers. The goal would be the 2" spacers would go away. If I go with the 2" backspace wheels it may cover (may have to have a 1"-1 1/2 spacer) keeping it from rubbing the shock going from a 34x10.50 to a 35x12.50 (both 8" rims) I do rub the shock now very lightly when I flex to the max. With the tire being wider and the rim 8" tire will stick out more past rim edge. Just wondering what your guys thoughts are? Trying to get the rims in as far as possible to avoid them hitting rocks. I'm even thinking I may need to go with a 10" wheel.
I think getting rid of the wheel spacers on a front axle alone makes this a worth while activity. Also seems like this rim talk is just dancing around to the inevitable toyota axle swap discussion.
That's what I was thinking too....
9:09 am
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline kris_olof said:
I think getting rid of the wheel spacers on a front axle alone makes this a worth while activity. Also seems like this rim talk is just dancing around to the inevitable toyota axle swap discussion.
Yes, I do agree Kris, the Toyota axle swap would/will be the next step. And as hard as I have wanted to hang on to the "stock" looking Suzuki axles, the "hunting" for a set of Toyota axles for a proper swap will begin. That would also give me a wider range of diff gear ratios to chose from, and a few more things.
It will solve a few challenges, 
and as any mod will bring others into play. Who knows.... I might even put in power steering 
In the mean time it will be fun to see just how far I can push the Suzuki axle set up. Obviously not to the point of unreliability. There will be more additional mods added to "beef up" the Suzuki axles.
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
1:38 pm
July 14, 2016
Offline Specialsoundman said
Who knows.... I might even put in power steering
Your running the stock box with those tires? You buff man you....
If you want a power steering setup I can probably help you out and as far as Toyota axles goes if I knew you wanted some I would have had some for you. I've sold 3 sets of Toyota axles lately and a few sidekicks with power steering...
2:28 pm
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline Original steering box, as in the one that came on it in 1986. AND..... the original rag-joint
Can you say taking care of my stuff. 334,000 miles.
Not quite ready to summit to Yoda yet. Or the power force ether. 
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
4:57 pm
Club Member
February 26, 2014
Offline Yoda and the force that's funny stuff right there
6:50 pm
Club Member
January 19, 2011
Offline Specialsoundman said
Can you say taking care of my stuff. 334,000 miles.
Well done David!
Semper Fi
7:56 pm
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline I followed David up the Barrett Lake trail. Held my breath several times. Very capable rig and driver. I wish I had recorded it!
8:36 pm
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline 
Mounted 4 of the new tires and put them on with the spacers still on just to see what it would look like. Kind of if I put Toyota axles on it. Will take spacers off next week
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
7:01 am
Club Member
August 17, 2014
Offline Specialsoundman said
Well it looks great, possibly even better with the spacers gone...hope everything clears.
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