Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2024 9:10 pm Post subject: Tires.....
What are you doing for tires on your M38A1?
Stock were 7.00 x16 ndcc correct.
Options I see...
6.00x16 nec for sale at just over around $120 or so
7.00x 16 necc McCreary (Firestone repop) for $230 a tire
There seems to be 7.50x16 speedway ( mad in India) tires for $120 each
The there are other 7.00x 16 with tread patterns other than nec/necc which appears to be made in China (deestone) starting just north of $100.
The made in Pa/USA Firestone which are the right size but also most likely expensive by far. Has anyone tried the larger 7.50 Speedway Indian made tires...this seems like a fair compromise to me in terms of cost/size/style but would like feedback. Are there any other options that you can recommend that I am missing? Thanks
Joined: Oct 02, 2014 Posts: 2004 Location: South Carolina, Dorchester County
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2024 8:08 am Post subject:
I'm using the 7.00x16 Firestone NDCC's on my M38 and M100.
Pretty sure the Army manual for the M38A1 calls for the same.
Pretty sure the Army supply system also provided 7.00x16 NDT's to be used interchangeably.
Yep, huge money nowadays at $242 each (with "free" shipping - LOL).
That's $1700 bucks for 7 to do a jeep (with spare) and trailer.
Glad I bought mine 5 years ago at 2/3rds the price.
Mine will likely age out before they wear out.
My main objective was originality, and quality for safety reasons.
If the NDCC-NDT originality isn't important to you, some folks put modern tubeless radial tires on the original rims (if in sufficiently good shape to seal reliably).
Good luck! _________________ Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51
“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari
I have been looking at tires for that CJ3B project I am doing with my two sons and it is expensive now days. _________________ Ryan Miller
MVPA # 22010
For satisfactory off road performance and somewhat safe on road unless slippery and for an original look the only really correct tire design is NDCC.
And correct size then here's one:
Quote:
FIRESTONE NDT Military 700-16 6 Ply (Quantity of 1)
We Offer Wheel & Tire Packages At Huge Savings!
Performance Plus Tire and Auto
(45303)
98.5% positiveSeller's other itemsSeller's other itemsContact seller
US $219.00
No Interest if paid in full in 6 mo on $99+ with PayPal Credit*
Condition:
NewNew
Quantity:
1
More than 10 available
I believe I will go with Coker/Firestone/McCreary tires.
I need the feedback on the collective...quickly. Coker is at the Fall Hershey ACAA show with tires they have at the show 10% off and I would pickup so there would be no shipping. They have both 7.00-16 NDCC and NDT.
For 4 tires= tax OTD there is a $87 dollar difference....the NDT's being the cheaper option.
They will be going on a rust-er-ration 1952 M38a1 which is staying generally unmodified. Disclaimer I am cheap. Am I crazy to go with the cheaper NDT's? While NDT's are not the cheapest, they are cheaper than the NDCC's. Both Firestones are made in the USA( Pa actually) and sold by a company who supports the ACAA and other MV orgs.
What are your thoughts? NDCC's or NDT's? I have 24 hours to decide.
Thanks for the feedback.
For future reference pricing for 4 7.00 16 tires
Performance Tire for Speedway NDT (made in India) for $595 delivered
Firestone NDT's $836 (10% discount, including tax, picked up at show)
Firestone NDCC's for $923 (10% discount including tax, picked up at show)
I only run NDT's and NDCC's for show at car shows. Never on the public roads. They were designed to be fantastic off road barely adequate on paved roads and restricted to 35-45 mPH. Which is why most military convoys over the years on our paved highway appeared so slow. Buy quality US tires that are with a 1/2 size of spec and priced reasonable with a simple tread design that fills the needs of your style and location for driving. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Jul 18, 2008 Posts: 645 Location: Melrose, MA and Santa Fe, NM
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2024 5:19 am Post subject:
Thanks Wes. I want to swap out the tires I have - keep them (NDTs and NDCCs) - and run tires with a better tread to handle the dirt and paved roads I typically drive on. The better traction, especially on the paved roads, is what I need and with a more aggressive tread my Jeeps will handle the conditions better.
Is there a tire type/manufacturer you recommend to be within the size of our jeep wheels/tires?
Thanks! _________________ North Shore, MA
Santa Fe, NM
1942 GPW
1952 M38
1964 Apollo 5000 GT
I must re-emphasize that neither the WWII NDT or the post war NDCC are worth a darn on a wet paved surface. During my time in the Air Force 1966 thru 1989 all our jeeps had regular civvy snow treads on them. Gave just aless off road performance and n300% better on paved road performance.
The Army switched to NDCC for better paved surface handling because the NDT's were notorious with their sharp edges on slick roads. But again neither is ideal on a paved road today and you will increase your risk driving on modern paved roads in normal traffic using them. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Jul 18, 2008 Posts: 645 Location: Melrose, MA and Santa Fe, NM
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2024 12:34 pm Post subject:
Wes, completely agree. My experience with those tires corroborates everything you've stated.
I've been meaning to change them out for better tires for years, just hasn't been a priority as I don't drive them that often and when I do, it's usually on slow speed dirt roads locally. I've put the money elsewhere but made the decision this Summer that now's the time to change them out.
Is there a particular brand, dealer, etc. that you recommend for our jeeps for better tires, one that's available today? _________________ North Shore, MA
Santa Fe, NM
1942 GPW
1952 M38
1964 Apollo 5000 GT
Joined: Nov 16, 2021 Posts: 69 Location: NE Washington
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2024 1:02 am Post subject:
A question...
You say NDCC/NDTs aren't real safe on paved roads at higher speeds.
But...with a top speed of 45, is that really an issue?
As far as driving in slick conditions, my Jeep being topless, I don't drive much in the rain.
I certainly wouldn't run military tires on my V-8 CJ-5, it had speed capability and saw highway (but not Freeway, mainly due to the 3-speed) use.
I'm in favor of safety, but my Jeep being occasional use (certainly not daily driver), low speed vehicles (I live in the country and stay off the highway), I'm not sure if I'm in enough danger to warrant replacing good condition tires and buying $1000 worth of new rubber.
And if I wanted to avoid or considerably lessen risk, I wouldn't be driving a 75 year old top less, door less (and thus door side beam.less), ABS-less truck, utterly devoid of any modern safety features.
I'd drive my "bank vault" Mercedes with all the modern safety features. _________________ 1955 M38A1 MD 82551
Former owner/restorer of 1977 CJ-5, stock with factory V-8.
Used as a daily driver for seven years.
45 MPH is not the maximum speed of a Willys L or F 134 powered jeep. It is considered to be the max controllable speed by many. You can just as easily slide off the wet asphalt pavement at 45 MPH on a sharp curve and rollover as you can at 55 MPH. I have owned and operated many 4 cyl jeeps since my first GPW in 1971 and I can assure you that the NDCC and NDT tires are not safe for use on paved slippery surfaces at 45 MPH. If you choose not to believe that then that is your perogative. Follow your heart. I will follow my experiences as they have proven to me over the years. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Nov 16, 2021 Posts: 69 Location: NE Washington
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:18 pm Post subject:
Week
I appreciate your experience, you have more Jeep seat time than I.
But for me, driving 35-40 on empty, dry roads and having driven Jeeps enough not to make sudden corrections, take turns too fast, or do anything stupid...I'm okay with my NDCCs.
When they need replacing, I'll certainly revisit the issue. _________________ 1955 M38A1 MD 82551
Former owner/restorer of 1977 CJ-5, stock with factory V-8.
Used as a daily driver for seven years.
Again. The safety concerneds I raised above are about operation on paved public roads in traffic and weather. I have never said the military tires are unsafe for their intended off road use! _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
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