Tri-ribs on a Jeep?

I came across this picture: http://inevo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/OldJeepHDR.jpg and a question popped into my head;

Is it, in any way, possible to use tri-rib tires on the front of a Jeep that gets used on the highway? Are there any tri-ribs made for highway use, or will standard tractor front tires stand up to that kind of use? It seems like it might reduce drag - although who knows what affect it would have on steering/handling. I'm mainly talking about 2WD rigs, like the Dispatchers, wagons, etc.

 

the tires are labeled on the sidewall :Not for Highway use:
I have seen them come apart on farm impliments just exceeded speeds of 35 or 40 , I just dont think they are built to withstand high speeds
just my $.02

 

Why? it's 4x4. why would you want crappy no traction tires? Drag would be minimal on a 6" wide stock tire.

 

My JR. High PE coach had a tube framed buggy that he ran tri-ribs on the front, and it occasionally saw 80+ mph without flying apart, but that doesn't mean it was safe. It would not pass the MO state inspection with them on there and wet pavement traction would be nil.

For sand (strictly off road) on a 2wd dispatcher, etc.-perfect!

 

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I know they're labaled "Not For Highway Use" - I was just curious, and wondered if there was a highway-legal tri-rib that I didn't know about.

Yes, they'd be pointless on a 4x4 rig, but not so much on a 2WD rig.

PbBelly - where are you located in Missouri? I'm about 25 miles South of Cuba, or 40 miles ESE of Rolla.

Thanks!

 

The tri ribs tend to be very heavy as well. Running on just the center rib with no tread on the street? How do you plan on steering it? They are fine at slow speed but with weight transfer at higher speeds you are asking to lose control. They actually build a tire for sand rails that look like tri ribs but are much lighter, rated for higher speed but not hiway rated. Plus the fact mos dune buggies have cutting brakes makes all the difference. If you want to be a statistic run them.

 

Ha! No, I don't want I or my Jeep to become a statistic. I was just wondering, as I'd never really thought about it before. Wonder why the Jeep in the pic in my first post had them?

 

I suspect from the condition of the posted JEEP, those front wheels and tires are off a farm trailer or combine. Happened to have the right bolt pattern and held air at one time.

 

Ahh, ok, makes sense now. Maybe they were useful to the person around a farm in fields and what not

 

Good possibility. I can't tell if the rims are different from the rears or not - they look like they could be the same.

 

I'm ~10 miles south of Rolla, in the suburbs of Lecoma.

 

Cool! We're pretty close, then. I think a rondezvous to kick tires is in order, then.