Thoughts on going down to 37s?

[Dixie Pride]

Had my 85 K 20 since new 2 sets of 40" 1 set of 42". Was never happy always wanted 44"swampers. Saved & got my 44" after 39 years.it is always what make you happy.If you want them bad enough you will find a way.My Swampers were $639.00 ea 2 years ago now they are almost $1,000 ea.Ig you go with the hummer tires make sure you check the date on the tires.They say tires should be replaced every 6 yrs.Have 4 40"Cepeck tires in the barn i would give you still nubs on them.They just show a little splitting on the sidewall.20 yrs. old.Would be great for someone for running around local.

 

[koolaid77]

Had my 85 K 20 since new 2 sets of 40" 1 set of 42". Was never happy always wanted 44"swampers. Saved & got my 44" after 39 years.it is always what make you happy.If you want them bad enough you will find a way.My Swampers were $639.00 ea 2 years ago now they are almost $1,000 ea.Ig you go with the hummer tires make sure you check the date on the tires.They say tires should be replaced every 6 yrs.Have 4 40"Cepeck tires in the barn i would give you still nubs on them.They just show a little splitting on the sidewall.20 yrs. old.Would be great for someone for running around local.

That would be great! Unfortunately I am in Daytona Beach. The ones I have now have sidewall splitting as well, makes me a little nervous to run them on the roads.

 

[bucket]

That would be great! Unfortunately I am in Daytona Beach. The ones I have now have sidewall splitting as well, makes me a little nervous to run them on the roads.

Sidewall cracks on a tough bias ply carcass really aren't a big deal. Especially if cords aren't showing. Have any pictures?

 

[77 K20]

If you were to change out wheels also then might keep checking the blem list at Interco if you want a better price:

Blem List (click me)

For instance they have five 37x12R17 tires for $269 ea
Or seven 37x14.50R17 for $275 ea

 

[koolaid77]

If you were to change out wheels also then might keep checking the blem list at Interco if you want a better price:

Blem List (click me)

For instance they have five 37x12R17 tires for $269 ea
Or seven 37x14.50R17 for $275 ea

Thanks for the info. I picked up 5 weld 16.5s with 4 good 37x12.5s and one crap one today off marketplace for $800. Seemed like a good price.

 

[Strick]

Welcome in from NC. Those radial 37's ride great on pavement. Won't "look" as good as

a set of 40' Swampers but definitely more user & consumer friendly. I've ran these 37 OZ tires for 30 years...probably have some around here that old too!

 

[Catbox]

My buddies truck runs around on a set of BFG 37's and it still retains the mini monster truck feel.

You must be registered for see images attach

He is 6'2" and you can just see his head over the hood.


Here it is next to my stock height 3/4 ton making it look like a mini truck.

You must be registered for see images attach

If I were you, I would get away from the defunct 16.5 inch wheel size as you are limited to what you can get for them like you are finding.

 

[squaredeal91]

If it were me I'd get the 37s and be happy I got nice tires for a good deal. It's only 2 1/2" inches difference In height. Being narrower should drive better too.

 

[Bennyt]

I had the surplus 37's on my K5. I don't recall which brand they were but they measured out exactly at 37". Mine were 3 years old when I bought them new per the date code. They were marked "gov't use only" or something similar. They were substantially thicker/ heavier in sidewalls than what you'd buy in the store and supposedly had a lot more resistance to dry rot than the commercial versions. I believe I paid $100-125 for them. They can't call them new as they are surplus but mine had never been mounted. I believe they said 99% tread left.

I believe that I was able to mount them myself with just a prybar and soap very easily without scuffing the rims. I used airsoft to balance them and did the ether trick to seat them. D/T the thicker sidewalls, there was no bulge even at 15 psi. I never aired down lower because they were 16.5's and I was scared of them coming off and also if the airsoft would become projectiles.

All this to say...the truck is more useful with the military 37's, they last forever, and are cheap. I don't know how much longer you are going to be able to get them though as I think even the military is/ has transitioning away from 16.5.

 

[Bennyt]

... make sure you check the date on the tires. They say tires should be replaced every 6 yrs....

There is some disparity out there on the 6-8 year from date manufactured for replacement. It is supposedly 6-8 years from when they are mounted, aired, and have their first heat cycle. I wanted to put 355/25ZR19's on the rear of my Nova. The problem I found was that the manufacturers, which I believe were only Pirelli and maybe Kumho said that they only make a large batch of some of those oddball sizes every 2-3 years based on demand. When I checked around at warehouses, some of the new tires had 4-5 year old date codes which prompted me to call the manufacturer and learn of the warranty and life expectancy(if properly stored) starting at date sold and first heat cycle.

 

[koolaid77]

My buddies truck runs around on a set of BFG 37's and it still retains the mini monster truck feel.

You must be registered for see images attach

He is 6'2" and you can just see his head over the hood.


Here it is next to my stock height 3/4 ton making it look like a mini truck.

You must be registered for see images attach

If I were you, I would get away from the defunct 16.5 inch wheel size as you are limited to what you can get for them like you are finding.

Perfect! I found a good set of 5 16.5s with 37s and will be bolting them on this weekend. I like that look alot. Was a bit of a shock coming from those big 39.5s, but after seeing your truck, I see I'm going to be very happy. Beautiful rig sir!

 

[SquareRoot]

Too early to bring up the LS swap?

 

[bucket]

I had the surplus 37's on my K5. I don't recall which brand they were but they measured out exactly at 37". Mine were 3 years old when I bought them new per the date code. They were marked "gov't use only" or something similar. They were substantially thicker/ heavier in sidewalls than what you'd buy in the store and supposedly had a lot more resistance to dry rot than the commercial versions. I believe I paid $100-125 for them. They can't call them new as they are surplus but mine had never been mounted. I believe they said 99% tread left.

I believe that I was able to mount them myself with just a prybar and soap very easily without scuffing the rims. I used airsoft to balance them and did the ether trick to seat them. D/T the thicker sidewalls, there was no bulge even at 15 psi. I never aired down lower because they were 16.5's and I was scared of them coming off and also if the airsoft would become projectiles.

All this to say...the truck is more useful with the military 37's, they last forever, and are cheap. I don't know how much longer you are going to be able to get them though as I think even the military is/ has transitioning away from 16.5.

I believe they have been out of production for a few years now. Last I knew, the Humvees were all being phased out and replaced with a big new fancy rig.

Edit
It's the JLTV, if anyone cares to read about it.

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[koolaid77]

I believe they have been out of production for a few years now. Last I knew, the Humvees were all being phased out and replaced with a big new fancy rig.

Edit
It's the JLTV, if anyone cares to read about it.

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Really cool read! Thanks!