Stock looking/size tires

The OEM wheels I found are blasted & painted. I located some 7.00-15LT tires that I thought were going to be as close to original as I could come...so I bought 5 of em, mounted & on the rig. They just dont look/feel right. Do any of you old hands out there know a brand/type/size tire that would be suitable for a restoration & also give at least decent performance on the road. I stay off of interstates...so far, my max speed on "street" radials was 55 MPH. I have little to no intention of driving in the rain. This is a daily put around town & an occasional off or FS road driver. I would like to join you all in Tellico someday, but I'll be driving the CJ, no trailer available. :? :? :?

 

Most 7.00-15 these days are gonna be 6 ply nylon. That translates to flat spots when cold and a stiff ride due to stiff bias ply sidewalls. Radials have spoiled us for 30 years nothing rides as good. I like the 7.00's but there's a trade off for that nostagic look you also get that nostalgic ride with them. I'd give 'em a few days to seat then air them down a bit.

 

On a '74, it could have come with the skinny street tires (D78-15, something like that, like mail Jeep tires), though most came with Goodyear H78-15 PolyGlass Suburbanites. 2 ply polyester sidewall, 2 (?) fiberglass belts under the tread, blackwall. The tread style is fairly similar to the BFG A/T KO tires.

 

Thanks gentlemen...as far as ride, I knew they weren't going to be as cushy, but its a Jeep for goodness sakes, and I expected a step down in ride quality. I do have an owners manual for 1972 models & it lists 3 sizes for a "standard" CJ.....7.35 x 15, 8.55 x 15 & H78 x 15. The first thing I did when I got back from the tire store was air down to 20 psi frt & 24 psi rear (per the owners manual). We'll give it a few days & if still not satisfied I'll check out the BFG A/T KO.

 

i've still got the original-spare goodyear H78-15 polyglas suburbanite mounted on the back of my '75. doesn't hold air for long, but was barely used. still has most of the little "nubs" on the tread.

tim

 

Original CJ5,
I too have a 74 CJ5 that I am trying to get back to somewhat original condition. What kind of luck have you had finding the smaller parts to complete your restoration and do you have some source and advise. Thanks.

 

It's hit & miss...you luck up on a part here & there...I tried to buy a side mount spare tire brkt lamp/reflector from a fellow devote' and was shot down...OH THE PAIN...but I understand as he & I are birds of the same feather. Unfortunately I have no sources...I am a newbie at this and was wandering in the wilderness until I found a home (here). So, that being said, what do you need? It may be a good post for another thread.

Re MY tires, I went back to the shop today, we balanced again & I was able to convince them that at least 3 of the tires were defective, given the weight that had to be added to balance. I am still not sure of the outcome & may end up with a (heaven forbid) RADIAL mud & snow...what ya gonna do...the cost just keeps going up & the check book looks even more bleak. I have to have a somewhat narrow tire so that the spare will mount on the RT 1/4 panel. If the tire on the ground sticks out past the panel, the spare will rub...and we all know how painful that can beR) .

 

your memory is close. my variation of the suburbanite xg has 6 plies in the tread (4 polyester cords + 2 fiberglass cords) and 4 plies for the sidewall (polyester cords).

tim