Replacing 700x15 tires with radials

I need to replace the 700x15 snow tires on my stock (and near-mint) 1960 CJ5. Bias-ply tires are uncommon so I must consider passenger car radial M/S tires. 235-75x15 are close to the same diameter as the 700x15. If I could find 215 or 225 in 85 aspect-ratio, I might consider them. I wonder about trying radials for vintage sports cars.

Questions:
Are radials too wide for use on the stock rims?

Would it be necessary to use tubes in the radials for use on the narrow rims? (Back in the 60's Michelin specified them for use on my 63 MGB; tubes no longer required in that application.)

I do not want to stress the axles and bearings with wider rims.

I'd like to use reasonably narrow tires in order to keep handling in snow as good as possible.

Suggestions, anyone?

 

no look for narrow tread. Tubes and tubeless tires DO NOT get along. to use tubeless tires, you must use the tubeless valvestem.

I would look at the 28-30 inch size tires.

 

How wide are your rims? The rims I run are ones you commonly see as spares on the 76-86 Jeeps. They look much like the old jeep stockers but clear disc brakes (which I no longer run by the way). The are 5.5 x 15. I run 30 x 9.50s with no problems. I would like to run 31x10.50s but I think they would be to wide for the rims.

I would think the 235s would work for you even if you had 4.5" rims. What I do not know is if the hole for the valve stem of a rim that originally used tubes is a standard size for regular (tubeless) valve stems. I would think they are, and i do know that tubeless stems come in 2 diameters.

With a little searching you may find that tire is still available. Coker tire has some in that size, you may experience sticker shock though. I am looking for some 7.00-16 tires to replace the tires on my 2 jeep trailers. Mostly I am just exploring my options right now (for general info) as I got a brand new looking vintage BFG trailer tire (7.00-16) at the local junkyard for 20 bucks (to replace my one damaged tire)!

 

for a look at a 215/85/15

http://www.intercotire.com/html/tsl___radial.htm

 

I've been looking at tires and rims the last week or so, trying to find something that looks era-authentic for my '58.
I found some interesting tires made by Hercules at a dealer near Albuquerque.

Here's their web site.

http://herculestire.com/subdir/product_general.htm

Pull up light truck and check out their Hercules HDT. It comes in a 15" and a 16". The tread looks pretty cool and it doesn't look as if they would beat you to death during highway driving, and yet has a pretty aggressive tread design for some mud, snow, and rain wheelin'. The 15" tire is 30" in diameter.

Meanwhile all the salvage yard guys keep telling me that Ford and Willys used the same wheels. Is this true? Does anyone know what company manufactured wheels for Willys and Ford?

 

Yes, but you have to cut the centers out to 4 1/4" I use them but have found Dodge (81-92) and if memory serves I haven't had to cut out center. IH & Scout will also work just harder to find. Most of these are 15 X 5 or 15 X 6.

 

wow, this is a different world than cherokees...
talking about 7" wide tires... wow...

i run the 235/75r15 BFG All terrains on the XJ and they are about 29x9.5 in inch measurements.

Everyone with cherokees that are upgrading wheels and all that look for the 15x8 or the 15x10 rims. odd to me to see people looking for 15x5

while im on the hijack - what is the CJ bolt pattern 5 on 5.5? or 5 on 4.5?

thanks

 

5 by 5.5

 

http://www.mastercrafttire.com/us/e...rodType=LtTruck&id=49&title=Light+Truck+Tires

These look pretty vintage to me, I was going to get the 7.50-16lt for my gladiator before I sold it.

 

Thanks, Howard for bringing me (and others I am sure) up-to-date on the tire controversy. It is rather confusing, but I really appreciate the advice on NDTs.
I have one more question for you: can you run tubeless bias tires on the stock rims or should I insist on tubes if I go with the 700 x 15 Hercules or similar tire?
Thanks

 

I can't remember for sure but by the early to mid sixies wheels were rated for tubless whether they came with them or not. Good rule of thumb if they aren't riveted then you can usually use tubeless. Now according to the man at the tire store he said you can run them without tubes, that tube type and tubless are made the same nowdays. But if you are able to run them tubeless they will not air down as quick if they are puntured. FWIW :v6:

 

I'd run a tube. Lot of pressure on those tires and I bet your gonna have to deal with leak issues. I have some decent 7 series tires that I got sitting around. I think they might be from NDT. Not sure though.

 

I like my tubes, comfortable. I had tubeless radials on stock rims and didn't like the ride or look. My Jeep had some old 7.00x15 snows so I took the lot to Les Schwab after sanding and painting up the original rims. They balanced and put in new tubes etc. and the result is not only good looking but a better ride.

Your local Cooper Tire dealer still sells 7.00x15 snows probably right around the corner.
Courser Traction LT:
http://www.coopertire.com/us/en/ProductDetails.asp?ProdType=LtTruck&id=49#sizesAndSpecs

 

Sorry for chiming in so late...I put the Hercules HDT's on my 58 - tubeless with some tire goo around the inside edge just to make sure. They look great and I gained a little ground clearance with them. You can see how they set on the rims by checking them out here:
http://home.earthlink.net/~mrstaves/id2.html

 

5 on 5.5 lug pattern. Older Dodge Ram 1//2 tons Old Scouts and and Suzuki Samaris have the right size rims. Ford lugs line up but rims will not fit unless you cut out the middle. The Dodge rims and the Suxuki rims can be bought new. The doges and scouts can be 5.5 wide or 6 wide. All suxuki are 5.5 wide. Toyo makes an m93 700r15 in a light truck road and light truck mud and snow. For around $100 each. 205 75 15s don't look too bad they are a little short but not too fat. If you don't mind wagon wheels you can get them in 8 inch wide. 185 75 15s are hard to find and generally expensive. there are some swamper or other aggressive off roads in 185 75 15s to be had that are about 29 inches tall and 8.5 wide. You can get Non Directional Cross Country bias ply from several dealers and the same people will usually have light truck road and Mud and Snow in classic sizes. I'd rather have tubless on newer rims. You can do that and keep the classic look if you research a little.

Good Luck

 

good point. :iagree:

 

For what its worth I am running the 7.00*15 tubeless bias that were on my rig when I bought it, They were mounted on the rivet style rims, I know they were mounted tubeless because I had one dismounted for a flat fix..............So far no problems running this combo.