My Willys 3A and 3B Community
3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: PaulS on September 11, 2014, 01:02:07 PM
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Where do I get tires in Canada for a CJ3A? I like the look of the Super Traxion tires. Is there a supplier here? Even better if there's a distributor that can supply to a local tire store for me. I know I could buy them from Walcks, but for such a hard-to-ship item, I would prefer a local dealer.
Are there other tires that look appropriate (but not original--I don't want the NDTs) for a CJ3A that might be easier to get?
Thanks,
-Paul
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Hi Paul, I won't be a lot of help, but I do know that if you're looking at radial tires, one size that seems to look good and guys are buying is a 215-85-16. You didn't mention what size rims you have or if they would accommodate tubeless tires. I have the Omix rims and radials without tubes work great. M38Mike on the 2A page bought some recently for the Blue Mule and they are Mastercraft Coursers. I have had some for years from GT Radial (a Canadian company, BTW), and they are working well. Do an online search...I've bought tires from Tires-easy.com, and Treadsource.com, and there are many others.
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How can you tell if the rims can take tubeless tires? There were tubes in the tires I just had removed.
-Paul
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Well, I'm pretty sure that if they aren't two piece rims and aren't pitted or corroded, then a rim should work with tubeless tires if the tire bead can get a good seal. But this is a question for people more experienced than I am. Maybe take a rim to a tire store to see what they think? I believe the tubes were just a necessary part of the older bias ply tires of the day.
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I'm from Canada, Quebec.
I bought my original NDTs tires locally from a local Firestone retailer. The tires are STA (speciality tire of america). They are also able to get the Super traxion.
If your rims are original, I would use tube in it.
Here is a picture of a CJ2A with Goodyear Duratrac tires. I though it was looking cool.
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How can you tell if the rims can take tubeless tires?� There were tubes in the tires I just had removed.
-Paul
A good general rule is if the outer is welded to the inner rim, tubes will probably not be needed.
If it is riveted only chances are one or more rivets will leak. (if your luck is like mine. )
Of course if there are bead issues with either tire or rim, tubes can eliminate leaking. Often hard old tires and even some new ones won't seal on pitted or rusty rims without some sort of sealant... or a tube. If the tire bead has been damaged by tire tools during dismounting, a tube may be the only way for the average guy to get it to work.
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Tubeless rims have a recess that the bead of the tire fits into. That helps hold the tire on the rim on side loads and with a low tire pressure. The original rims for the CJ2 and 3 do not have the lip for tubeless tires.
HOWEVER, if you can find a set of M38 safety rims they do have a slight recess for the bead to go into. I have four of them on my Jeep so I can run low pressure on the trails BUT, I am still using tubes with my NDT tires.
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My rims looked in really, really good shape.� No real rust on them at all.� Some minor surface rust that I'll clean up with a wire wheel before I paint them.� I'll have to check for the bead recess.
I think my best bet may be to find an independent tire store (i.e. not one of the chains) that isn't tied to a specific distribution system...
Thanks,
-Paul
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On something like this, you are definately better to find a GOOD private tire shop that has been owned and operated by the same people for 20+ years. They will have experience in dealing with tube tires and how to install them. They should also be able to take a look at your current wheels and let you know of you have to use tubes. If you use tubes and go to a chain store, there is a good chance you are going to have to buy another set of tubes after they ruin the first set...
Like Carl, I decided to use tubes in mine. It is very frustrating to fight a tire that won't seal to the rim....(take the tire off, sand the rim, still leaks, take the tire off, repeat.......).....just when you think you have it you hit a hard bump on the road a month later and one wheel develops another slow leak around the rim.. :'( Any old wheel (tractor, jeep, trailer, ect.) designed for tubes can run into this problem when you use tubeless tires. I'm not saying it cannot be done, only that the chance for problems increases..
Find an independant shop. Most of those guys are car guys anyway and will love to see and talk about your old jeep! ;)
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Most of those guys are car guys anyway and will love to see and talk about your old jeep!� ;)
Not much to see, since it's in pieces...
But that reminds me of when I picked up a 3-pt hitch mounted mower for my acreage. I was taking my newly painted CJ3A frame out to the acreage for storage at the same time, and it was strapped to the same trailer where I was getting them to put the mower. Lots of interest in that old frame!