24 bolt wheels with BFG Bajas - Runflat or No Runflat

[Action]

I am totally new to the scene with zero previous DIY tire experience and went thru the whole process of investigating getting new 17" wheels vs keeping the 24 bolt paired ones on my truck.
The only aftermarket wheel I think looks good on the HMMWV is the Black Rhino Armory, completely closed, everything else looks weak, but in the end I didn't want to give up the run-flats and the paired 24 bolt look awesome
Went to many shops and nobody would touch the two piece wheels, eventually I found one local shop that said they handle H1 tires, but by then I still feel better doing it myself.
I already got one together and installed it, it's not too bad if you have a few cold beers on the side...the run-flat adds about 35lbs per wheel, so the whole assembly comes in at around 160-170lbs.

I ordered new tires made in 2020 with run-flats installed (they didn't have it on wheels, otherwise I would have gotten that option)

I bought a set of Balancemasters, which can compensate up to 30oz and have Lifetime Warranty (so in theory there should be no need to do any pre-balancing) vs. Cetramatics, which work only up to 12oz and have only 5 Years Warranty - after having to balance the tires 2-3 times, the balancers will pay for themselves and it should work & feel better as they are active.
The Balancemasters rep said that the same model can be used with 17" wheels also, if I ever change it.

Will update everyone once everything it is installed, which will be in January.

I cant stand those BRA wheels with the fake plastic nuts on them.
Cepek makes wheels for the H1, and any factory 17” H1 wheel is a perfect fit.

 

[Hammer]

For those looking for tire shops to balance, etc. these tires, look into commercial truck tire shops. They have equipment to spin up the large/heavy tires. The light duty stuff in small shops really are not made to handle the heavier combos like we have.

I almost went with Balancemasters, but I had two hmmwvs to balance, plus two trailers, and for that cost, I was far better off with the Centramatics. That being said, I still like the Balancemasters better.

Btw, my wife's M1123 has new MT tires on 24 bolt rims with runflats, and I haven't installed the centramatics yet, and those tires run SMOOTH all the way up to about 92 mph (don't ask....)
I can only imagine that putting the centramatics on will only prolong that smooth ride that it already has.

 

[T9000]

For those looking for tire shops to balance, etc. these tires, look into commercial truck tire shops. They have equipment to spin up the large/heavy tires. The light duty stuff in small shops really are not made to handle the heavier combos like we have.

I almost went with Balancemasters, but I had two hmmwvs to balance, plus two trailers, and for that cost, I was far better off with the Centramatics. That being said, I still like the Balancemasters better.

Btw, my wife's M1123 has new MT tires on 24 bolt rims with runflats, and I haven't installed the centramatics yet, and those tires run SMOOTH all the way up to about 92 mph (don't ask....)
I can only imagine that putting the centramatics on will only prolong that smooth ride that it already has.

But I do have to ask lol...what did you do to get to 92mph?

 

[Autonomy_Lost]

But I do have to ask lol...what did you do to get to 92mph?

Flux capacitor?

 

[T9000]

I cant stand those BRA wheels with the fake plastic nuts on them.
Cepek makes wheels for the H1, and any factory 17” H1 wheel is a perfect fit.

Of course they are fake lol and I am sure made in china too, but it's the closest to the stock wheels which I like best, that's why I kept them.
I personally don't like anything with holes in the wheel including the Cepek.

 

[T9000]

Flux capacitor?

Lol, I secretelly hope however that the answer is not...changing the transmission gears and more like juicing up the engine?

 

[T9000]

The 24 bolt wheels are like most beautiful women...a pain to deal with it...but satysfying when riding them...if you could please pardon my French lol

 

[Hammer]

Ok, well. At our yearly rally, someone showed up, random civilian, and took off pretty quick under suspicious terms (ie. not acknowledging any of us waving at them, etc.)
The only vehicle I had to chase (there were others that went after,) was my wife's M1123.
We were trailing them, doing over 80 mph, and they were getting further away from us until we came to a long down hill on the interstate.
Well, I later guestimated speed vs speedometer needle angle, vs close gps readings, to figure in we were doing between 92 to 95 mph!!!
6.5 NA with 4L80E on new MT tires went great! I was not happy, so I wasn't shy with the throttle.
Glad I didn't have a tach to know how high I was revving it, but it actually sounded GOOD. Not like the 6.2L when wound out that sounds like it wants to let go at any moment...
After all this, I was cruising back between 80 to 85 mph, gps and independent speedo verified. So I am fairly confident with my estimated speed.

 

[T9000]

Ok, well. At our yearly rally, someone showed up, random civilian, and took off pretty quick under suspicious terms (ie. not acknowledging any of us waving at them, etc.)
The only vehicle I had to chase (there were others that went after,) was my wife's M1123.
We were trailing them, doing over 80 mph, and they were getting further away from us until we came to a long down hill on the interstate.
Well, I later guestimated speed vs speedometer needle angle, vs close gps readings, to figure in we were doing between 92 to 95 mph!!!
6.5 NA with 4L80E on new MT tires went great! I was not happy, so I wasn't shy with the throttle.
Glad I didn't have a tach to know how high I was revving it, but it actually sounded GOOD. Not like the 6.2L when wound out that sounds like it wants to let go at any moment...
After all this, I was cruising back between 80 to 85 mph, gps and independent speedo verified. So I am fairly confident with my estimated speed.

Aha! So you engaged the Gravity Boosters aka downhill...I have the same transmission with 6.5L TD and maxed out at the 80mph on the speedometer, but didn't check with the GPS.
The transmission shifts smoothly and after it goes into overdrive, it's all high RPMs from there.
I will do another test using the GPS too after I finish all the engine fixes and report back.

I saw a chip and ECU mod by Heath Diesel, has anyone tried it?

1996-2000 Max E Tork Programming

You'll find brand name diesel performance parts at Dieselsite. Get advice for your truck from the owners who are also certified AMSOIL distributors.

www.dieselsite.com

 

[Action]

Aha! So you engaged the Gravity Boosters aka downhill...I have the same transmission with 6.5L TD and maxed out at the 80mph on the speedometer, but didn't check with the GPS.
The transmission shifts smoothly and after it goes into overdrive, it's all high RPMs from there.
I will do another test using the GPS too after I finish all the engine fixes and report back.

I saw a chip and ECU mod by Heath Diesel, has anyone tried it?

1996-2000 Max E Tork Programming

You'll find brand name diesel performance parts at Dieselsite. Get advice for your truck from the owners who are also certified AMSOIL distributors.

www.dieselsite.com

What ECM would you send them to program?

 

[T9000]

What ECM would you send them to program?

No idea lol...that's why I am asking here the experts.

I would find a place that would send one already programmed and I would send them back some core like the one on eBay:

Military Truck Hmmwv ECU Ecm Computer 6.5 Engine 4l80-e Transmission Good Testef | eBay

<p>Being offered is as pictured a complete working tested computer with its rugedized case. This is a properly operating unit from a hmmwv. Please note that we do not ship internationally.</p><p>This unit has no issues, however since we have no control over how the buyer installs it or...

www.ebay.com

I would keep mine unmodified in case things don't work as planned, and I have no clue if mine even has one, that's why was asking.

My 6.7 Cummins does out of the box over 400hp and almost 1000 ft-lb of torque and can easily go to 500-600hp and beyond.
There is got to be a way to boost this 6.5L to something higher than the puny stock numbers, of course giving up things like fuel economy, heat signature and other things that are not critical to non-military applications.

 

[Hammer]

The 6.5 NA motor has the best gearing for higher speeds. Turbo motor is more gear limited for top speed.
Like I said, no problems cruising between 80 to 85 mph.
Btw, I normally cruise at 65 to 70 mph on the freeway in both M1123s with no issue.

 

[Coug]

The 6.5 NA motor has the best gearing for higher speeds. Turbo motor is more gear limited for top speed.
Like I said, no problems cruising between 80 to 85 mph.
Btw, I normally cruise at 65 to 70 mph on the freeway in both M1123s with no issue.

Then again, where you live there really isn't a large amount of traffic so you aren't having to slam on brakes and dodge the prius drivers that often.

Book top speed in the A0/A1 is 55, for the A2 it's 78, and ECV/REV it's 70. Makes me think the A2 is probably the best option for where we live, though I wouldn't mind a little more power. I can't get above 68mph with the BEOD on and the generator trailer (just over 13k gross)

 

[Action]

Then again, where you live there really isn't a large amount of traffic so you aren't having to slam on brakes and dodge the prius drivers that often.

Book top speed in the A0/A1 is 55, for the A2 it's 78, and ECV/REV it's 70. Makes me think the A2 is probably the best option for where we live, though I wouldn't mind a little more power. I can't get above 68mph with the BEOD on and the generator trailer (just over 13k gross)

The diff ratios may have something to do with top speed?

 

[Hammer]

The diff ratios may have something to do with top speed?

Exactly.
The 3speed setups, the A0, have the best diff gears, but lack the overdrive in the transmission.
If you wanted the fastest top speed, swap the A0 gears/diffs into a ECV/REV turbo truck.

 

[Coug]

Exactly.
The 3speed setups, the A0, have the best diff gears, but lack the overdrive in the transmission.
If you wanted the fastest top speed, swap the A0 gears/diffs into a ECV/REV turbo truck.

Or put a turbo motor and 4 speed into an A0/A1 truck.

Makes me wonder if our EOD friend did the diffs when he upgraded his truck...

 

[Hammer]

He could have, but I doubt it.

And to put all the numbers for gearing.

For the differentials themselves.
A0-A1 have 2:56
A2’s have 2:73 (4 spd, 65. NA)
ECV on up, 3:08 (4 spd, 65. Turbo)

Geared Portal hubs are 1.92:1

Transmissions
3rd gear is 1:1,
4th gear is .75:1

Final drive "axle" ratios
A0-A1 = 4.92
A2 = 5.24
ECV + = 5.91

Final driver in TOP gear
A0-A1 = 4.92 3rd gear
A2 = 3.93
ECV + = 4.44

Easy to see the A2 has the best gearing for top speed

 

[Autonomy_Lost]

He could have, but I doubt it.

And to put all the numbers for gearing.

85-94 A0-A1 have 2:56
all A2’s have 2:73 (4 spd, 65. NA)
ECV on up, 3:08 (4 spd, 65. Turbo)

3rd gear is 1:1,
4th gear is .75:1
geared hubs are 1.92:1

Final drive "axle" ratios
A0-A1 = 4.92
A2 = 5.24
ECV + = 5.91

Final driver in TOP gear
A0-A1 = 4.92 3rd gear
A2 = 3.93
ECV + = 4.44

Easy to see the A2 has the best gearing for top speed

Interesting. Doesn't that prove though that an A0 upgraded with a 4 speed would have the best top speed gearing of all?

 

[Hammer]

Yes, putting a turbo 6.5 with 4speed in a A0-A1 truck would have the highest top speed.
Or just swapping the A0-A1 diffs into a turbo truck, same difference, gearing wise.

 

[TOBASH]

Interesting. Doesn't that prove though that an A0 upgraded with a 4 speed would have the best top speed gearing of all?

I’m gonna go the cheaper route. I’m gonna paint her red because that will make her drive faster.

Older A0 trucks weighed less so I wonder if that is why the lower gearing was used.