Firestone versus STA NDT Tires

Mjp83 · Post by **Mjp83** » Sun Feb 26, 2023 7:00 am

Hi everyone, it’s time to buy tires. I am looking to remain with the NDT 7.00-16 tires on my M38. I have noticed several publications listing the Firestone at 30.5” tall, and the STA’s at 31.8 tall. Called some warehouses and they could not confirm this. I know different tire manufactures will offer same tire sizes, and some “tend to run larger”.
I really prefer the Coker/STA super traxion, but it’s only offered in the 6.50-16 size, which is listed at 29.4”.
I would go up to the 7.50-16 size IF I could get a Deestone that would be known to run “small” and actually measure close to 31”.
Why am I asking all of this? I do not have overdrive on my rebuilt rig, and want to drive it to work during the summer, but at the same time not kill my off road gearing. Not sure if going to a 7.50 will make that big of a difference, I’m used to going from a 31” tire to a 33” or 35’s on my other Jeeps, but they have bigger engines!
Sorry for the long post, I’m sure I am overthinking this, but appreciate your input!
Martin

Mjp83 · Post by **Mjp83** » Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:20 am

Here are the specs on the NDT tires offered by Firestone and STA. I think Specialty Tires of America was its own company, but it seems they are now under Coker, who also makes the Firestones???

The last picture is of the STA Super Traxion, but note the 6.50-16 size has the look I am after, the 7.00 and 7.50 have a more wave like pattern.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:57 am

The NDT's were an Army compromise leaning more towards off road performance with barely adequate on hard top performance. I personally do not use them for anything but show. Wet roads and sleet/ice/snow covered hard top roads they perform very poorly and I consider them downright dangerous above 45 MPH under those winter condition on paved roads.

Radials do not fare well on a stock Willys m jeep without upgrading the steering from Ross to a modern GM unit.

This leaves standard highway tires and the old fashion truly knobby snow tires.

Increasing tire diameter doesn't always end well either. It will cost you in power vs speed in third gear. Just google up one of the many ratio changing/gauging math computers and insert your numbers.

Finally we have not mentioned tire clearance. Vertical is not usually an issue within reason however contact with structure in turns is common with most increased tire diameters. This usually results in reduced steering radius which will not make you happy in tight turning spots.

As for nominal tire diameter variations in same nominal tire sizes, that has always been like that.

As for overdrives they can only be truly useful and safe when they are employed on a well maintained jeep with excellent steering, suspension and brakes along with a healthy engine.

Mjp83 · Post by **Mjp83** » Mon Feb 27, 2023 4:51 pm

Looking more and more at the STA Super Traxion, I decided to look up some members who have them. How about RickG posted in 2015 a picture AND dimensions! I think I am going with these although they only come in the 6.50-16 size. After researching online sources, it seems they come in right at 30.2" tall, very similar in height to the NDT's. I think this will be a good choice as I did only rebuild my old springs, and they may be a bit tired.
I hope to have my rig looking like RickG's one day....

Post by **wesk** » Mon Feb 27, 2023 5:34 pm

They look very adequate. Just to confirm they do not alter speedometer accuracy I always take new tires for a drive past one of those automated speed checker displays.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Mon Feb 27, 2023 6:46 pm

i've seen that jeep somewheres before, cant remember where..

Post by **wesk** » Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:01 pm

Rick, Who do you know that has a gravel driveway in front of his shop and an old Ford 8N parked next to it?

Mjp83 · Post by **Mjp83** » Mon Feb 27, 2023 9:11 pm

RICKG wrote:i've seen that jeep somewheres before, cant remember where..

Hey how are those tires holding up? Any long term reviews you want to share? Hope you don’t mind I dug that pic out of your M38!

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Tue Feb 28, 2023 9:10 am

Good posting. I still have that old 1959 CJ3B sitting in my shop waiting its turn. I think the super traxion are what I will put on it too.

keats · Post by **keats** » Wed Mar 01, 2023 11:01 am

i used the STA Super Traxion tires on my cj3b. I used them for two years before selling the jeep.I had the engine rebuilt around the same time i bought the tires and put over 600 miles on them in a short time breaking in the engine. they rode smooth and quiet, and did well in soft terrain and mud. when snow did come, they performed very well. tread cleaned out quickly, and gripped well. I wish i had kept the tires and use them as alternates on the cj3a i have.

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Wed Mar 01, 2023 6:14 pm

Keats,

What size tires did you use?

keats · Post by **keats** » Wed Mar 01, 2023 10:42 pm

STA Super Traxion, 6.50-16

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:38 pm

Mjp83 wrote:
RICKG wrote:i've seen that jeep somewheres before, cant remember where..
Hey how are those tires holding up? Any long term reviews you want to share? Hope you don’t mind I dug that pic out of your M38!

I'm using them on both jeeps. The M38 has LS powr-locs and the manners were nasty on wet pavement with NDCC's but are sweet with the Super Trax. These jeeps are not garage queens and are used regularly on trails, some of which are moderate in difficulty. the tires have performed and held up well.

Mjp83 · Post by **Mjp83** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:50 pm

Finally got my new shoes, super happy with the STA Super Traxions! Even thought they are listed as a 6.50x16, they are half an inch taller than the old and tired 7.00x16 which appeared to be a new set put on before the jeep was parked in the 80's.....

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Thu Jul 20, 2023 6:37 am

Looks good!

Keats I have an old CJ3B that doesn't run I bought back in 2015. I had to finish a couple other projects but I got it thinking I would put a snow plow on it like yours.

what plow did you use and did you reinforce the frame any?