Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad...Say no to bias ply tires.

[J10Mike]

It was a productive weekend until I got to the rag joint replacement. None of the hardware that came with the new rag joint matched my old hardware...Dam.
OK... to the 2 good out of the 3 minor projects. Did the Baybilly TFI bracket swap. Very easy upgrade and an excellent product. Thanks Dave.

But, the thing that really has me stoked are the new wheels and tires. I scored some good used American Racing Outlaw IIs (16x8, 8 lug) and some good used meaty Maxxis Mudder Buckshots (315x75R/16)...all on the cheap.
I can't believe the difference in ride quality. The Buckshots are radials. The old Goodyear military Humvee tires are bias ply. No more fighting the steering wheel when the tires hit a crack in the road. No more bumpiness and vibration. No more excessive noise at highway speeds. Even the ride feels a little softer.
However, for some reason, I assumed that the metric 315x75R/16 tires were the equivalent to the 35x12.5 tires. Notta...they are only 34 inches tall and not quite 12 inches across. So, I went from 36s to 34s. No biggie...My J10 with 4.10s has a bit more pep with the smaller tire.
But, it certainly has made a difference in appearence as seen below.
With 36s.
http://12.29.16.230/mmimages/MyJeeps/j10mike2.jpg
Today, with 34s.
http://12.29.16.230/mmimages/myjeeps/wheelstires.jpg

[del]

I really can't tell much difference in height from the pics, but the new tires look nice.

[J10Mike]

I really can't tell much difference in height from the pics, but the new tires look nice.
Are you drinkin' again???....LOL. Thanks Del. We'll have to do a lunch again with Rich real soon. You guys crack me up...

[Jeep_Guy]

Biggers not always better, hah. Still looks good to me. :thumbsup: I really love the look of the outlaw 2s on a fsj too.

[J10Mike]

Thank Jeep_Guy. I was a little concerned that the Outlaws might be too much bling. But, they actually look pretty good.

[JeremySmith]

Looks very nice! I love those trucks with the stepsides!

[Headhoncho]

Truck looks nice with those tires and wheels. Old tires looked like they were a little tight in the wheelwells anyway.



JR

[Elliott]

I ran the outlaw IIs on my Cherokee Laredo and they really do look like the belong on there. Lookin' good Mike!

[H Callaway]

Nice looking truck with either size tires!

[drlocke]

Nice truck. And I like the stepside beds, too.

The good old days were indeed the good old days--except for bias ply tires. Once you try radials you never go back.

[Tad]

Looks good Mike.
Rstep and I just picked up my 315x75Rx16" BFG MT's yesterday on the way back from PHX.
I'm also looking forward to a better hiway ride, I'll let you know how that goes.

I'm going to still run my H1's around town since that's where I keep tearing up the rear set, still have two more so I see no reason to not burn them up.
BTW: My H1's only measure about 34.5 anyway, about 34 in the rear now.

[KaiserMan]

Looking good Mike. I must be the only guy around here that asctually swapped out radial tires for bias ply. To bad your not around here, I'd buy your old wheels and tires off you for my truck.

[J10Mike]

Thanks for all the compliments guys. I finally got the new ragjoint in. It appears I did have the right hardware after all.
The pins in the joint are riveted in. I had to grind off the heads of the rivets, punch them out, swap in the new joint, and bolt in the new pins.
In all, the new joint decreased the play in the steering wheel by an inch. I still have a half inch of play. But, I can live with that.

[Tad]

Good deal, 1/2" ain't too bad.
Couse now you got to change your avatar (don't you just hate it when that happens).

[jpcoutts]

The appearance of the smaller tires is not enough to worry about. The new wheels look great and you'll really get to like the radials. Glad you found a good deal!

[J10Mike]

I thought I would take a better pic in the daylight as opposed to the dark pic from lastnight.
I think I'm going to like these tires. A little smaller yes. But, they also don't stick outside the fender flares like the old tires did. I shouldn't have any issues with rubbing again either.
http://12.29.16.230/mmimages/tires/wheels1.jpg

[J10Mike]

Oh...And guys, before you secure the steering shaft to the rag joint, make sure your steering wheel is lined up right.
I finished up. Went to get cleaned up and a change a clothes. Was pulling the J10 out of the garage when it suddenly dawned on me that my steering wheel was upside down. I can't believe I missed that.
Oh well, now that I have already done it, it shouldn't take much to pull the joint, swap the joint bolts, and bolt it back on.
I get to choose my own title now. I think I'm going with "Delightfully Incompetent".

[DanHS]

Nice! I do like the look of the Humvee tires, but the radials are much better to drive on. The Outlaw IIs look excellent, I'm hoping to get a set for my Chero.

[grand_wag_85]

Looks good! So what's in store for the Humvee tires?

[J10Mike]

Looks good! So what's in store for the Humvee tires?
A member here that lives relatively close to me wants them for one of his projects.

[jepj2000]

I think the truck looks just fine with the new tires and wheels on there. The lost beefy factor is compensated for the better looking wheels which gives the truck an over all cleaner look.

Rankin

[grand_wag_85]

A member here that lives relatively close to me wants them for one of his projects.

Cool!

[Stumblinman]

Yes I know old thread but I'm thankfull it's here and that's why I love this site. I'm replacing my steering box with a stock reman one and couldn't figure out the rag joint. I couldn't find a direct replacement but found a suitable one and which with the help of a grinder is on now.
:D