MRAP wheels and tires on a deuce?

[mdmorgan]

We just picked up 6 brand new MRAP wheels and tires (395/85r20) xzl's and we want to put them on the wifes truck, and here is what i'm thinking. Use an adapter plate like is being done with the hemmt wheels except instead of using the studs that hold the 2 wheel halves together, use the lug bolt holes. Now I know that the lug pattern on the hemmt wheels is to small to do that but I think the pattern on these is bigger, the best I can measure is 13 1/4 bolt circle. They also have about 11 inches of back spacing.

Thoughts?????

 

[patracy]

Heck most of the work is already done for you. Just get someone that recenters hemtt wheels to make you a set of centers with their OD that matches the ID opening. Then weld them in.

 

[patracy]

Wait, worded that wrong. You should get them to cut a shoulder in the radius of the adapter plate that would match the ID of the wheel. That would allow the plate to center in the opening and provide an area to weld front and rear of the plate. That's how my hemtts on my deuce are done. Kbarret did them.

 

[mdmorgan]

I'de rather not weld them in.

 

[patracy]

I'de rather not weld them in.

IMHO, I'd trust a double welded plate more than I'd trust a "adapter" plate. More fasteners = more failure points. Unless you're thinking about keeping them stock for a MRAP later on?

 

[mdmorgan]

I don't want to put my wifes life on my welds, and i'm not going to pay someone to do it.

 

[patracy]

You realize the factory deuce wheels are also welded or in some cases only riveted together?

Have a look at my recentered hemtts. You'll get a better understanding of what I mentioned doing.

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?64512-recentered-hemtt-wheel-install.html

 

[Nonotagain]

I've seen posted as long as they are bolt together they still retain DOT certification. As soon as the wheels is welded on, they are no longer able to be run on the street.

mdmorgan, You would be better off stress wise using the bolts used to hold the wheel together. Expanding the bolt circle does wonders for stress risers.

BTW, nice tires and wheels.

 

[patracy]

Mine still bolt together. There'd be no means to change tires if they didn't. Even from the factory hemtt wheels have welds to hold the outter hoop to the inner o-ring flange. In my examples you are not modifying any of the factory construction of the wheel. If you look close on the inside wheel pic, you can see the welded in plate. But you can also notice the ridge where the factory welded them together.

I don't condone someone in their backyard attempting to manufacture something like this with their 110v harbor freight welder. If that's what everyone is getting at.

 

[patracy]

Fwiw a shot of the factory m35 wheel with a weld. The second shot I'm pointing out where rivets would be on a non welded wheel. I've got a riveted wheel here but it's in the middle of a stack.

 

[Bob H]

I don't want to put my wifes life on my welds, and i'm not going to pay someone to do it.

Ya! because hiring a hit man is illegal!
Seriously though your wife should be proud of you.
The adapter idea sounds plausible,
those mrap rims look hub centered
deuces are lug centered.
Your adapter will need to be stepped as patracy suggested above
If you go with bolt together adapters, have the nuts exposed so they can be paint marked after installation

 

[Bob H]

Wish I had the steel and a lathe!
Screw the adapters. Make new hubs with the hemmt bolt flange.
I can't understand why I haven't figured that out until just now

 

[patracy]

Wish I had the steel and a lathe!
Screw the adapters. Make new hubs with the hemmt bolt flange.
I can't understand why I haven't figured that out until just now

You'd also have to redesign the brake system as well unfortunately.

 

[cjtroutt]

Call ouverson engineering they made a set in 10 bolt hub for an member hear
that fit 2.5 ton axles and ditto to Bob H what he said.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I think the plate is the way to go too. You will be very happy with the XZLs, I love mine.

 

[mdmorgan]

Ya! because hiring a hit man is illegal!
Seriously though your wife should be proud of you.
The adapter idea sounds plausible,
those mrap rims look hub centered
deuces are lug centered.
Your adapter will need to be stepped as patracy suggested above
If you go with bolt together adapters, have the nuts exposed so they can be paint marked after installation

HA! That's funny, I see how what I said could have been taken that way.

I hadn't thought about that, maybe start with a 3/4" plate and have 1/4" machined off down to leave a "hub" to locate it.

I planned on having all the nuts on the outside, figured it would look better too.

 

[mdmorgan]

what is the 5 ton 10 lug pattern anyway?

 

[Monkeyboyarmy]

10 on 11.25" bolt circle, I think.

 

[mdmorganwife]

Does anyone know of a good and trusted machinist in georgia? We also need to get something else fab'd.

 

[patracy]

Yup, know a few, what do you need?