Old Dodge Off-Road

[chrisjameswagner]

Friend of mine sent me this link. Lots of mud and some creative off-roading. Sure would be nice to flop my truck and then just roll it back over.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/nq2jY1trxqg?rel=0

[04Ram2500Hemi]

That's freaking awesome!

[MOPARManiac]

Cool video, thanks for posting.

[RustyPW]

Sometimes you wonder how they got through the mud with those tires.

[Ducky's Dad]

Sometimes you wonder how they got through the mud with those tires.

A few years ago I asked a very old and very capable mechanic that question regarding a film of Model Ts getting through similar mud. His opinion was that they could get around in that stuff because the cars were so light. General specs for the Model T show that it only weighed 1200 pounds, so the Dodge was probably in the same range. The Model T also used a transmission brake that equalized torque to both rear wheels, giving the old school equivalent of a selective locker on the rear. The transmission brake was in addition to the "emergency" brakes on the rear hubs. Don't know if the Dodge had the same system, but wouldn't be surprised.

How do old Rovers get around on those tall skinny tires? Probably also related to light weight, due to no amenities, aluminum bodies, small engines, etc.

[olyelr]

Skinny tires do great in many off road situations. Especially in mud.

Cool video!

[azracer]

Amazing what they could do with so little. Thanks for posting

[MOPARManiac]

Skinny tires do great in many off road situations. Especially in mud.

Cool video!

Yes they do. All of the old hunting rigs and 4X4's always had tall skinny tires. The old Willys Jeeps in all the variants of CJ's, Pickups, Wagons, The Powerwagons, International's, etc. They had 6.00-16, or 7.00-16 and other tall skinny tires, and all were very capable in off road situations. It wasn't until recently that the bigger (wider) is better concept in tires gained popularity. Maybe it is because of my background with vehicles, but I prefer a taller tire that doesn't have to be drastically wide. I like the stock tires on our PW's and when I get the next set I think I will go with the 75 series for a little more height with the same width.

[TwinStick]

I dont think my power wagon would make it through some of that stuff.............even in 4x4 w/lockers locked. And that was a 2wd CAR !!!!!!

[RustyPW]

The tires are so tall and skinny. That they sank down to the hard surface below the mud.

[olyelr]

Skinny tires do great in many off road situations. Especially in mud.

Cool video!

Yes they do. All of the old hunting rigs and 4X4's always had tall skinny tires. The old Willys Jeeps in all the variants of CJ's, Pickups, Wagons, The Powerwagons, International's, etc. They had 6.00-16, or 7.00-16 and other tall skinny tires, and all were very capable in off road situations. It wasn't until recently that the bigger (wider) is better concept in tires gained popularity. Maybe it is because of my background with vehicles, but I prefer a taller tire that doesn't have to be drastically wide. I like the stock tires on our PW's and when I get the next set I think I will go with the 75 series for a little more height with the same width.

In my opinion the 285/75/17's are the optimal size tire for a daily driven vehicle if someone wants a 34-35" tire. They are as tall as most 35x12.5's, and the slightly skinnier width really helps on the road... less road wander, better traction in snowy roads, less rolling resistance etc. I still kind of regret not going with them on my jeep instead of the 35x12.5's.

And I have to agree, what those old rigs were driving through in 2wd (in the video) is absolutely amazing.

[old sole mopar]

I was at the mud bogs years ago and a guy had a Ford f anger with wheels from a crop duster on it. He drove through the pit like it wasn't there. Are thost wheels highway speed capable? Lol!

[RustyPW]

If I remember right. Swamper tires had a Q78 something that took a 7" rim. Think it was like 36" tall.

There was two lines of thought on tire width.

1.Tall and narrow to sink down to the hard surface below the soft stuff.
2. Wide to float across the top of the soft stuff.

[TwinStick]

The tires are so tall and skinny. That they sank down to the hard surface below the mud.

We need to talk Coker Tire into making these...along with rims, to fit our trucks !!! 36" https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styles/ ... y-ndt.html

https://www.cokertire.com/600-16-firest ... truck.html

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styles/ ... 50-18.html

[ScalerFab]

Skinny tires do great in many off road situations. Especially in mud.

Cool video!

Yes they do. All of the old hunting rigs and 4X4's always had tall skinny tires. The old Willys Jeeps in all the variants of CJ's, Pickups, Wagons, The Powerwagons, International's, etc. They had 6.00-16, or 7.00-16 and other tall skinny tires, and all were very capable in off road situations. It wasn't until recently that the bigger (wider) is better concept in tires gained popularity. Maybe it is because of my background with vehicles, but I prefer a taller tire that doesn't have to be drastically wide. I like the stock tires on our PW's and when I get the next set I think I will go with the 75 series for a little more height with the same width.

In my opinion the 285/75/17's are the optimal size tire for a daily driven vehicle if someone wants a 34-35" tire. They are as tall as most 35x12.5's, and the slightly skinnier width really helps on the road... less road wander, better traction in snowy roads, less rolling resistance etc. I still kind of regret not going with them on my jeep instead of the 35x12.5's.

And I have to agree, what those old rigs were driving through in 2wd (in the video) is absolutely amazing.

I agree completely about the 285/75/17's. I just posted my update to this thread about ditching the 315's and getting 285/75's:

http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... f=2&t=2698