DHappel

Which Racelines did you get? Was just looking at the Monster RT232 and looks like it's only available in 8 and 8.5" width. A little narrow; don't think I would want to go less than 9

Got an email back from TR confirming they can't do anything for me on the steel wheel. Not surprised.

BTW, I do have a call into TR (voice mail) to see if there's anything they can help with but so far still waiting, Seems like waiting is all I can do right now. I have messages in with Sam at Royal Overland who said he could likely get me a set of Dirty Life wheels, and a guy back east who's had a set of Walker Evans wheels for sale for over 6 months who said yes, still available but hasn't gotten back to my last request (it's all via IG, so probably not the best avenue of communication) Waiting....I'm not good at it.

They don't offer them anymore

Wheel update: Took my 'old and busted' down to Stockton Wheel yesterday to see what they could do. I was hoping that since it's a pretty generic style and they custom make wheels maybe they'd just be able to replace the center section. He took one look at the size of the center bore and the lug spacing, asked 'Land Rover?' and said no. The best he could do was cut it out and put in a 3/8" plate. That would be a pass - the wheel is already 38 lbs so I don't need to make it that much heavier plus it would look completely different. I then asked if he could just re-drill the lug pattern clocked around and leave the old messed up holes alone - he said maybe; it would depend on how true the center bore was as he would need it to be straight to clamp it to his lathe. He then pointed out that the rim has a bend (did that on the Rubicon a couple years ago) and seemed highly skeptical that it would work. I then asked if maybe he could take my matching but non-beadlock spare and fit the rock ring to that but again no, though he did say he could cut the center out of the spare and weld it into this wheel. That would be an OK option but he definitely gave me the vibe he'd rather not work on it and said it would be "expensive". Not sure how much that might be and didn't feel like pushing him as I figured that would only turn out badly. Waiting to hear back from two people on alloy wheels, hopefully today. Also going to start checking tire prices. I'm about 75% likely to go with new stuff even though (because?) it's the least financially logical thing to do.

Well you know Robert - he's always talking smack.

First, I had STT Pros on the LR3. Still have a worn 33" set behind the shop if anybody can use them. 275-70-18 I liked them but want to go more aggressive for the Disco as it doesn't need to be as street friendly. Second, I have a perhaps outdated image of ProComp as bargain basement stuff. I guess they've been improving things over the last few years so maybe I'm out of date there but regardless, not going to a sticky as I still drive this on the road. Lastly, ain't no way I'm running 40s on a Rover axle! My 37s are already pushing things enough. Besides, if I went 40s I'd have to also pick up a set of portals and this whole thing will get right out of control!

Noice!

I'm very skeptical of most of those reviews as Milestar went on an advertising spree a year or so ago and gave out tires to every fool with a YT channel in exchange for reviews. That's why they suddenly seemed to be everywhere all at once. If somebody gives you free tires you're likely to say nice things about them. Or at least not report the bad things. That said, they are very cheap so that is appealing. I considered buying some for my van. But they are well below the level of tire I'm looking at here. I expect they would do OK on slickrock, but not much in snow or mud as they have very little void. They're really more of a street-friendly MT. If I were looking in that category there are lots of tires I'd consider such as the MT/R, Mickey MTZ-P3 or Baja Boss, KM3, STT-Pro, Toyo open country, etc All are good tires and more street friendly than the stuff I'm considering, but a step backward from the PitBulls I currently run.

20....20?

I wouldn't try to change my current 15s to 17s; I'd just see if they can repair my damaged 15. If they can that's really what makes the most sense. If not, then I'll proceed with new alloy 17s which in turn means new tires.

I think 'forgot' might be the wrong word here.

OK, I tried 3 times to make my spread sheet readable here - that's as good as you're gonna get

Yeah, I'm not going to go with a sticky for exactly those two reasons - short life and the added grip would just help break more stuff. As for wheels, if I get new stuff I'm going aluminum to save weight and 17" to have more tire options. There are only a couple 37s still available in 15". However I will contact Stockton Wheel tomorrow to see if they can repair my current wheel. That's not very fun, but would probably save me about $4500(!) that I really should spend on the next build instead of this one Here's what I've found for tires so far: size load rating weight wheel width section width dia tread width tread depth Yokohama X-MT 37-12.50R17 D 80.2 10 13 36.8 10.2 21 37-13.50R17 E 84 11 13.9 36.7 11.1 21 IROK radial 37-12.50R17 83 9-11 13.1 36.9 11 21 IROK bias 36-13.50-17 66 10 13.8 36.8 12 21 Swamper SSR 37-12.50R17 78 10 13 36.9 11 21 PitBull Rocker Radial 37-12.50R17 C or E 90 10 12.7 37.25 10.6 22 PitBull Rocker Bias 37-13.50-17 79 11 13.6 36.5 11 22 Maxis Trep M8060 -Radial 37x12.40R17 87.28 10 13 36.9 21 Nitto Mud Grappler 37x13.50R17 E 97 11 14.57 37.05 21

The PItBull would be 37.25x12.7 according to their specs, but weigh in at 90 lbs each. Quite a difference. I didn't look at their bias plys, but I suspect they'll still be much heavier. That's one of lightest tires I've seen in this size range. I'll add the bias to my list. Not sure what else really falls into this class of tire. There's always the more road biased MTs like the MT/R, Toyo, KM3, etc which would probably be decent but I'm really looking for a more extreme tire as noted. I did take a quick glance at the Mickey Thompson site but I don't see much there that appeals to me. The super aggressive Baja Pro XS doesn't come in a 37. The Baja Boss MT doesn't look as extreme as the rest of the things I'm looking at (don't know anybody using them). Most of their other tires are either stickies or not in my size. I wonder if I'm not over-doing things only looking at the stuff I've mentioned like the PitBulls and Irocs. Likely some of the middle tier stuff would be fine as well. I also can't help but think technology has to have improved since those tires were introduced - they're 20+ year old designs in the case of the Interco stuff and nearly that old with the PitBull.

Wow - weight difference is HUGE, from 80 to 97 lbs. Any guess what the heaviest is? Mud Grappler. Although it's a 13.50 instead of a 12.50. Even the PitBull is lighter at 90 lbs

No worries - I'm always interested in tire options and had forgot about the mud grappler. I'll add it to my list. Currently that looks like this PitBull Rocker Yoko G005 X-MT IROK radial Swamper SSR Maxxis Trep M8060 If anybody thinks of other suggestions chime in. I'm trying to find detailed specs of all of them in a 37-12.50-17 for comparison. Performance wise I'd say 70% rock, 10% snow, 10% mud, 5% sand, 5% road. And lighter is better. Only looking at radials for now, though I suppose bias isn't out of the question.

I did put Geolanders on the LR3; the G003. For the D1 I might consider their more aggressive tire the X-MT.

On the way back from the snow run yesterday while cruising along 99 I started feeling a vibration. I couldn't place it and kept trying different speeds acceleration vs coast, different lanes on the highway etc. In the end it turned out to be a wheel coming loose. I pulled over before it became a problem but it wallowed out the mounting holes one the wheel and I don't think I'll be able to keep using it. The short of all this is it looks like I'm going to use this as an opportunity to upgrade from my current 15" steel TR beadlocks (no longer in production) to 17" alloy. 15" is becoming an out-of-fashion size and only a couple people are making 37s in a 15" anymore. 17s, though more expensive, should offer far more tire options and in alloy will probably save some weight as well. So - anybody have a lead on a set? Used preferably as wheels and tires both are going to cost plenty of pesos. Otherwise, any deals you know of on new stuff? Next, we'll talk tires. Because short of an oil thread nothing is quite as fun as a tire thread. I like my current PitBulls a lot but IROKs and Treps are also possibilities though I don't think the latter is very good in anything but rock. I won't be looking at street-oriented stuff like KM2s or such. Might even consider a sticky since I don't put a ton of street miles on it.

And I'm off! Should be on the road in 10 minutes. I'm probably ahead of most people but I'll have the radio on. See you up there!

Well, guess what song will be stuck in my head all the way to Shaver....

OK, I had to google quinzee. Looks like it's a sloppy igloo. Never done a snow cave/quinzee before but might be fun. I've got a couple things I need to do here but if I get sorted and packed I'll try to head up today. I'll have my radio on 146.460. Otherwise I'll see you Sat morning

Do you really expect me to click on something about a Tacoma??? Oh the horror! On another note, we may have an appearance from a former member who has rather a lot of DV trips under his belt. Assuming he can get back out west at least.

I'm pretty much with Gabe here - Planning to come up Sat morning and meet in town but small chance I may head up Friday instead. Looks like I'm camping so no Michele on this trip. Always fun to camp in my summer tent (top is fully mesh) in the snow! Half way tempted to bring the LR3 and just sleep in it!

Holy crap - I thought you had new tires on that thing for Dusy? If you're still on Ron's old tires they must be BridgeSTONES by now!