I will be purchasing tires for my M38 within a week or so.
I see we have an option of buying McCreary LN27C (Specialty Tire of America Brand) or Coker 676467 Firestone.
I think I might be able to get the McCreary tires locally. Anyone else using these tires currently?
Anyone have some advice before I trade cash for rubber?
Kaiser Willys $145.99 Fire Stone $139.00 McCreary
Army Jeep Parts $110.00 McCreary
Jegs $142.99 Firestone
Coker $142.00 Firestone
Summit $142.00 Firestone
Lucas $139.00 (?)
Dave Lind Racing $165.00 McCreary This was my local tire store... geez
knowwhere2jeep.com $133.00 Firestone
Last edited by dayboy42 on Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:37 am, edited 6 times in total.
I found my 700x16 firestone tires at sumit Racing for about $95.00 ea. and shipping was cheaper than some other vendors. Check them out at summitracing.com Jim
It is often difficult to see the forest for the trees!
Your local tire stores that are dealers for the above brands or buy in volume from them often get dramatic discounts. Always check with them before you web dabble and pay serious freight charges.
Goodyear tooled up with an original mold and started building the WWII NDT in 6.00-16 this summer. It may not be long before you see some more sizes from them and it may include the NDCC's.
I'm surprised they introduced their NDT's again. With the economy the way it is you would think they would stay away from low production collector type tires.
I'm still waiting on a few local stores to get back to me. They are probably in no rush to find weird tires for me...
So far Jeg's has the best price and shipping for the Coker 676467 Firestone $119.99
Don't forget Lucas. And the tubes you will likely need. They have both and depending on where you are located, they may be better on the shipping. I live on the west coast and picked them up in Long Beach, so no shipping issues for me. They also have a facility in Springfield, Ohio. Last year they were $110 inc. the federal excise tax but not the state tax I had to pay here. Tubes were $13 ea. These are Denman brand and have the desired MILITARY script on the sidewall.
I had the tires balanced by putting the weight on the inside of the rim. Four tires were not bad but one is going to require 11 oz. of weight so it will be the spare. That's a bunch out of balance and it made no difference shifting the tire on the rim. Since it won't be on the ground, I don't mind too much but be aware that some or all might be too far out to be acceptable. Shipping back and forth for those could get expensive, so a tire shop might be a good choice.
I ended up with a set of 5 Cooper Cross Country NDCC's with tubes
for 75.00 each. They were new-(never mounted) but had sat in the
guy's shed for many years. They too have the raised "military"
script on the sidewall. The rubber isn't as supple as i'd like,
being as old as they are, but the way i drive i think they'll last.
keep 'em rollin'
RICKG MC 51986 DOD 01-52, '50 CJ3a
I have all these NDCC tires on various jeeps, originals and reproduction. And even a few long forgotten originals. Except for the Denmans.
I was told by a tire guy that the Denmans are made with a significantly softer rubber compound than the others. What it means is that with the Denmans you get better traction but shorter tire life. That was his explanation not mine.
He recommended Specialty Tires but I cannot see any significant difference between them or the Firestones. I hesitate to call them reproductions. They are both very good "real" tires. Although they handle pretty much like tractor tires. No Nascar here!
For my use, tire life won't be an issue since I will not be driving this Jeep except to shows and locally only now and then. But that could certainly be a deal breaker for everyday use. I might add that the Denman's, including having the printed MILITARY on the sidewall, have all the federally required information on one side and more small print on the other.
So you can select one side that has less small print, but you cannot get away from the government entirely. It is probably the same with all the tires made now but thought this might be of interest to those looking for tires.
If there is another federal requirement, they will have to make another tire or start writing on the inside. But here goes and remember...you asked.
On one side going around the tire:
700-16 MILITARY
Denham Rubber Co
Load range
Denman (in large letters)
Recessed panel with large WARNING info. Too much to relay here.
4-PLY Nylon Cord
Recessed panel with code bars (like a bar code)
6-Ply Rating
Tube Type (written in recessed panel)
Warning-do not mount on 16.5 rim.
The other side (the one I faced out):
MILITARY CROSS COUNTRY in large letters
Load Range Info
4-Ply Nylon Cord
Tube Type 6-Ply Rating
Do Not Mount On 16.5 Rim
700-16
Recessed warning label (in case you did not see the other side?)
The Denman tire sticker says it is a N.D.C.C. 700-16 tube type blackwall, 6ply rating, load range C, Nylon. And of course the redundant warnings.
I would agree with Wes - Goodyear will most likely come out with a nice accurate reproduction NDCC tire with the 1951/1952 date stampings, etc. The WWII version is very accurate. It might be a year or two, but I am certain it will come out.
I ended up buying a set of Firestone from Summit Racing on their ebay store. I got free shipping buying from their ebay account. Would of cost me a boat load more if I purchased on their website.
