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M35A2 tires / wheel combo

bprzyw

Well-known member
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Location
Moscow,Pa USA
Currently I'm running Michelin 11R-20's singled out on the 8.5" bead lock rims. Honestly, they do really well. I was able to climb my long steep icy road quite well. The skinny wheels just look a little lackluster. I bought chains for all six too, expecting to need them, but they stayed in the bags. The tires still have a lot of tread on them, but the sidewalls are showing some fine cracking. I need to get them on the dirt and wear em out real quick this summer if I can.

I have a full set of A3 bead lock rims now though, and am looking to put as good of tires as I can on them. Such a hard decision between 365/80R20 and the 395's. My truck is turned up, but I try to not drive it like it is. I'd really like to be able to hit 60 and stay at a safe rpm, but not at the cost of pushing the engine too hard. I just got a set of new heads on there.

Plus, if I go with 365's, all my other wheels will be the same diameter. I'd be able to use the same spares...

if anyone were interested in a set of 7 or 8 11R20's on 8.5 beadlocks (with chains too), I'd be willing to sell or trade them to offset the cost of new tires to go on my A3 rims. If you're near enough to post falls Idaho that is.

Should I stick with 43 inch tires, or are the 395's worth it? btw, I have power steering, but not where it can rub in the fender well. No worry there.

Sometimes I think about the 12R20's. Those would be the best for the 8.5 beadlocks.
Yes, I understand. Looking to stick with traffic and low RPM’s. You lucky Indy!!! A3 wheels! Sweet. Power steering and 395’s would get you there and back. Seems I can find wheels, tires but they go quick. Idaho is pretty far. Shipping would kill me.
 

7bdiver

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idaho panhandle
Anyone have any experience with the michelin xl g20 pilote 15.5R20's on A3 combat rims?

Looking at a new.

Pretty much the same tire as the 11R20's I have, but the bead won't be mpt anymore. Doesn't sound like thats a problem anyway.
 

montaillou

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W.WA
Should I stick with 43 inch tires, or are the 395's worth it?
In what way? I put about 3k hwy miles when I had 395's, it was nice being able to go the minimum truck speed limit and maybe a little more. You sacrifice a little some flexibility in the way your truck moves with the bigger tires. If you're not doing much rough, off road, this probably won't be an issue.

Bigger tires also mean better fuel mileage, though again, unless you travel a lot maybe not a big deal. The 395's roll over curbs a little easier - when I drove through parking lots, I didn't bother following the lanes unless I had to, easier to just drive over everything.

Steering is harder, but sounds like maybe not for you. 395's look pretty aggressive and definitely catch the attention of others.
 

7bdiver

Active member
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Location
idaho panhandle
So I did buy a set of six NOS Michelin G20 15.5R20 Pilote tires off ebay for 220 each. Shipping from WI to the WA/ID border was 770 bucks. I'd like to think I did ok.

Now, I just broke down all my M35A3 combat rims. They had the poly hutchinson beadlock inserts in them. Kind of on the fence about putting them back in with these new tires. Like a few have stated, yeah, you'll break your deuce before you break the bead on these puppies. They don't really need to be in there, and its only added weight to the wheels. Granted, not much compared to how much they already weigh.

Should I put them back in for funsies, or leave them out? If I leave them out, then I have these damn things taking up space. That's my only dilemma.

Also... does anyone need any of the CTIS crap that came off these wheels (valves, weights, covers...)? I'll try to adapt and keep the valve stems, cause those damn things are not cheap. I'd pretty much give the other stuff away, but I'm not shipping it for free.
 

Mullaney

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So I did buy a set of six NOS Michelin G20 15.5R20 Pilote tires off ebay for 220 each. Shipping from WI to the WA/ID border was 770 bucks. I'd like to think I did ok.

Now, I just broke down all my M35A3 combat rims. They had the poly hutchinson beadlock inserts in them. Kind of on the fence about putting them back in with these new tires. Like a few have stated, yeah, you'll break your deuce before you break the bead on these puppies. They don't really need to be in there, and its only added weight to the wheels. Granted, not much compared to how much they already weigh.

Should I put them back in for funsies, or leave them out? If I leave them out, then I have these damn things taking up space. That's my only dilemma.

Also... does anyone need any of the CTIS crap that came off these wheels (valves, weights, covers...)? I'll try to adapt and keep the valve stems, cause those damn things are not cheap. I'd pretty much give the other stuff away, but I'm not shipping it for free.
.
I would be interested in the CTIS parts. Especially the covers. My ZIP is 28206 and I have a loading dock. Maybe a PM with a SWAG on what it might cost to ship the stuff half way across the country? Or maybe about how much it would weigh and I can poke around for a pallet shipment? Unless you think most of it would fit into several USPS Flat Rate boxes?
 

ToddJK

Well-known member
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Location
Sparta, MI
So I did buy a set of six NOS Michelin G20 15.5R20 Pilote tires off ebay for 220 each. Shipping from WI to the WA/ID border was 770 bucks. I'd like to think I did ok.

Now, I just broke down all my M35A3 combat rims. They had the poly hutchinson beadlock inserts in them. Kind of on the fence about putting them back in with these new tires. Like a few have stated, yeah, you'll break your deuce before you break the bead on these puppies. They don't really need to be in there, and its only added weight to the wheels. Granted, not much compared to how much they already weigh.

Should I put them back in for funsies, or leave them out? If I leave them out, then I have these damn things taking up space. That's my only dilemma.

Also... does anyone need any of the CTIS crap that came off these wheels (valves, weights, covers...)? I'll try to adapt and keep the valve stems, cause those damn things are not cheap. I'd pretty much give the other stuff away, but I'm not shipping it for free.
Sounds like what you paid is fair. Shipping on any of the larger tires are expensive. Before when I searched for a spare 395, shipping was almost just as much as the tire itself, anywhere in the US, even more so from Canada even though it's closer.
 

bprzyw

Well-known member
174
419
63
Location
Moscow,Pa USA
So I did buy a set of six NOS Michelin G20 15.5R20 Pilote tires off ebay for 220 each. Shipping from WI to the WA/ID border was 770 bucks. I'd like to think I did ok.

Now, I just broke down all my M35A3 combat rims. They had the poly hutchinson beadlock inserts in them. Kind of on the fence about putting them back in with these new tires. Like a few have stated, yeah, you'll break your deuce before you break the bead on these puppies. They don't really need to be in there, and its only added weight to the wheels. Granted, not much compared to how much they already weigh.

Should I put them back in for funsies, or leave them out? If I leave them out, then I have these damn things taking up space. That's my only dilemma.

Also... does anyone need any of the CTIS crap that came off these wheels (valves, weights, covers...)? I'll try to adapt and keep the valve stems, cause those damn things are not cheap. I'd pretty much give the other stuff away, but I'm not shipping it for free.
Sounds like you did well 7bdiver!
 

gringeltaube

Staff Member
Super Moderator
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Steel Soldiers Supporter
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Montevideo/Uruguay
Morning all.
The wheels I’m looking for would be the mrap 10 bolt 335mm ones with the 281 pilot hole, right?
Correct, 10 lug holes on 335mm. And if we are talking about the steel wheels, they actually are called 12-bolts, since both halves are held together with those 12 (massive) M22*1.5 bolts/nuts:
2011-05-30_16-59-23_819 B.jpg

And this is how they look like (with 395/85R20s) on a M35A2:
M35 on 395s, mounted on 12-bolt MRAP wheels + adapters..jpg IMG_0029 B.JPG MRAP 12-bolt wheel on M35A2.jpg


Cheapest I've found so far: https://feltztire.com/mrap-steel-wheel-12-bolt.html
 

bprzyw

Well-known member
174
419
63
Location
Moscow,Pa USA
Correct, 10 lug holes on 335mm. And if we are talking about the steel wheels, they actually are called 12-bolts, since both halves are held together with those 12 (massive) M22*1.5 bolts/nuts:
View attachment 872838

And this is how they look like (with 395/85R20s) on a M35A2:
View attachment 872839 View attachment 872841 View attachment 872842


Cheapest I've found so far: https://feltztire.com/mrap-steel-wheel-12-bolt.html
Thank you, was figuring the same thing. Tha was the cheapest I saw so far.
 

bprzyw

Well-known member
174
419
63
Location
Moscow,Pa USA
Okay! Finally got 5 Michelin XZL’s on MRAP wheels, whew that was tough! They are the steel ones. 10 x 335. Now I’m searching for the CAD file to make my adapter plates. Ooo, and I gotta find one more wheel/tire. Anyone have the CAD file? I’ve searched, but only came up with pictures.
 

DaneGer21

Well-known member
614
1,162
93
Location
Creston, Ohio
Okay! Finally got 5 Michelin XZL’s on MRAP wheels, whew that was tough! They are the steel ones. 10 x 335. Now I’m searching for the CAD file to make my adapter plates. Ooo, and I gotta find one more wheel/tire. Anyone have the CAD file? I’ve searched, but only came up with pictures.
I’ve asked and asked, searched and searched ,but have only been given pictures.
 

DaneGer21

Well-known member
614
1,162
93
Location
Creston, Ohio
Yes! I’m hoping for a file as I have a place that is a metal shop with all the machines to do this. I’ve read all your posts about this. Thank you much!
Yeah same here. I have a guy that does all that stuff also; but he wants a file, not a picture. He would use the picture, but would charge me extra to “map” it out
 
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