Mods required to run 31x10.5x15" Simex Centipede MTs

[Moph]

Hi guys,

Have done a fair bit of searching and found many people running these tyres on Zooks, but all of them have already been lifted/bodylifted and so nobody has commented on how much lift is needed to fit them under the guards!

I got my first Zook last Thursday ... 93 tintop Sierra ... and apart from the stockies on the car have a set of 15x7" sunny rims to chuck new rubber on for muddy weekends Think they're 12mm neg offset.

The car is basically stock at the moment but the springs are in good shape (hardly any sag) and I intend doing a shackle extension. I'd rather not have to do spring lifts cos of $$$ and a body lift or guard cutting sound like way too much work with the time I've got available. Will the shackle extension + some seam bashing be enough to clear these tyres?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated before I lay out the $$$ on these tyres... Also any recommendations for cheap suppliers round Adelaide would be great ... cheapest I've found is $180 a tyre fitted and balanced.

Cheers
Tim

[waxhead..]

Nup. You will need ext. shackles, 2" spring and then a seam bash and virtual lift, or body lift.

[Moph]

Thx waxhead ... that was the answer I was after ... Centipede MTs are out for the moment then

Think I mite ring around about the Hankook Dynamic MT RT01 ... Hankooks are usually reasonably priced, has a decent tread pattern, and comes in 235/75R15. Anyone use these?

Any suggestions for any other cheapish muddies (under $180 fitted and balanced) that would fit without too much work? I imagine 235/75R15 would be the way to go?

[Damo]

Consider doing the extended shackles + tidy up the seams and then drop your bump stops.

[Moph]

Damo, what size tyre can I realistically expect to run on 15x7" rims (12mm offset) with the mods you've suggested? Extended shackles + seam tidy up + lowered bump stop (if needed) are on my to do list.

Thx for your reply too

[Damo]

Damo, what size tyre can I realistically expect to run on 15x7" rims (12mm offset) with the mods you've suggested? Extended shackles + seam tidy up + lowered bump stop (if needed) are on my to do list.

Thx for your reply too

I doubt you could go too much bigger than a 31. I'd be inclined to get one 31 and put it on a rim and fit it to the front. Then see how much clearance you have. Remember to check with your wheels turned too.

[Bad JuJu]

Remember 31" pedes are 32.2" new & they will grab the springs well before full lock on stock 15x7 sunnies. On 15x8's they will clear the springs... Just.
On a 15x7 sunny I think they make a 30x9.5 pede (or JT) which measures at 31 actual and may clear the springs on full lock. So with longer shackles bumpstop extentions and a BFH on the seams you should be OK.

[Moph]

Simex website lists specs of Centipede MT as being 775mm diameter, 279mm overall width. The Centipede MT only comes as a 31x10.5xR15 ... to get any other size I'm looking at the Centipede ET which is big $$ comparatively.

775mm diameter is 30.5" but that is on an 8.5" rim. On a 7" rim they will be higher. I have had a 235/75R15 on the Zook on those rims ... that's 735mm diameter, which means the 31's are only 20mm larger in radius. But 279mm overall width is 44mm extra, which means it hangs 22mm further inside the rim.

[muppet_man67]

I reckon you could do it with shakles springs and drop the bumpstops. otherwise cut the gaurds. a bodylift would make life easier but is nessasarily nessasary.

[410sierra]

i have a set of 31" bfg muds on my zuk at the moment.
i only have 2" lifted springs. They fit but the front rub on the springs at full lock and the rear on the fuel filler gaurd.

[Guy]

Remember 31" pedes are 32.2" new & they will grab the springs well before full lock on stock 15x7 sunnies. On 15x8's they will clear the springs... Just.
On a 15x7 sunny I think they make a 30x9.5 pede (or JT) which measures at 31 actual and may clear the springs on full lock. So with longer shackles bumpstop extentions and a BFH on the seams you should be OK.

Its not the baby pede .. it is an MT more along the lines of BFG or Wrangler type tread pattern.

[waxhead..]

smallest JT's are 33's I am pretty sure. I run 31s with ext. shackles, RUF, virtual lift and a seem bash, moderated by bump stops.
I am about to cut off my exo and go 2" body aswell as I get heaps of scrubbing and am over it...

[Moph]

Hmm ... am reconsidering my options.

Are BFG MTs worth the extra dosh? I honestly think the Centipede MTs are out due to clearance issues, so I've been ringing around about the Hankook MT RT01 which has a similar aggressive mud tread to the Centipedes.

The best I was quoted was $185 for the Hankook's fitted and balanced, and $239 for the BFGs. I think this is a competitive price for the BFGs, but is it worth the extra $50 bucks a tyre to get the BFGs?

Are there any others you'd recommend? Am looking 235/75R15 and don't want to go down the retread / monoform route...

[Guy]

I am assuming that this is the rubber he is looking at

http://www.simextyre.com.au/Tyres/Centipede.asp

[Moph]

Yup that was it

[just cruizin']

Honestly the brand of tyre may make a small difference in size but not heaps, unless you go extreme type tyres et2 etc. A body lift is the easiest solution after the shackles, if you source the material yourself you can get it complete for around $100 depends if you want it reversible.

$180 a tyre for the Simex sounds OK and if you have your heart set on these go that way or search the for sale section heaps of guys running hiluxs pootrols etc getting rid of 31's when they realise they look gay on big trucks.

[Moph]

Just cruizin', sorry for not being clearer ... I’m not expecting brand of tyre to make a difference. What I mean is that Simex Centipede MTs come *only* in 31/10.5R15 and this will cause me major clearance issues if all I do is shackle extension + seam bash. So if I go to a smaller tyre such as 235/75R15 then I have to look to another manufacturer.

I think I might go with Goodyear MTR 235/75R15 ... $239 fitted is more than I wanted to pay but not unreasonable, and they’ve got a pretty good rep. Can get the BFG MTs for the same price, but have heard the GY MTRs are slightly better overall.

235/75R15 shouldn’t cause me too much grief in terms of clearance should it with a 1.5-2” shackle extension and seam bashing?

Thanks for all the advice

[Dee]

My mate runs 2" spring and 2" body on his suzi and the guards clear 31's, (hankook i think) but they still rub on leaf springs at full lock.

[lay80n]

Can correct the rubbing by fitting large offset rims, something like a 18x8 -28 speedy rim shouldnt loose too much steering lock if you using the 31's. Dont forget taht if you do go 31's , you are most likley going to want some form of gearing reduction too. The cheapest option woild be small shackle lift, seam bash and virtual lift, should clear 31's with a bit of fiddling with the bumpstops and will be nice and stable.

Layto....

[Bad JuJu]

I think the 10.5 width is going to be your problem on 7 inch rims .... without modifing the backspacing, or increasing your turning radius.
31" height should not present too much problems.

My 32x10.5 mongrels on 7" rims (-12 offset) were a annoying, on 8" rims (cause they are -28 offset) are no problem.

Interesting my 31x10.5 ATs on the same 7" rims (no side lugs) has no problem on the springs.

[BigJay]

You could try the Mudstar 235/75/15's. They are nowhere near as aggressive as the Simex, but are a good tyre to get started in the Mud. Best thing is they're cheap, about $130 fitted, and you'll be able to drive the car during the week. If you go 31" or bigger, say goodbye to 5th gear and 100kmh unless you look at gearing changes.
Cheers
Jay

[mysterioussasvit]

moph sell the sh#tty little 15x7 inch rims before you put tyres on them (i dont why people buy these rims) and scratch them up and buy some 15x8 inch jeep or f100 rims. you say you dont want to do a body lift but droping the bump stops would be just as harder job. but if it were me i would do a 1 inch body inchand a half shackle and some seem tapping and you should get them on no probs. they may rub on the front fire wall but if no sharp edges should be cool. make sure you do it right the first time so you dont have to do it again later most common mistake most people make .

[Moph]

Hi mysterioussasvit,

The rims you use all depends on what's available and what you want to put on them. I don’t have heaps of spare time, so I’d rather spend what time I have playing in the mud than working on the car (body lifts etc).

Cops here in SA are also watchful when it comes to defecting cars for mods, so I want to keep it pretty tame. Definitely nothing over 31” muddies (although it looks like I can only run 235/75R15 with the mods I’m prepared to do) and a 2”ish shackle lift. These two mods together should keep the car looking pretty much stock to the casual observer but give me an extra 35mm clearance and tonnes more grip than the worn 205/70R15 Wrangler ATs I have at the moment.

31x10.5R15s were my first choice as I can get the Simex Centipede MTs at a good price, and they come only in that size. Given that they won’t easily fit, I’m dropping back to a 235/75R15 which I know will be okay with minimal work. For this size tyre, most manufacturers recommend 6.5” rim width, with many specifying maximum rim width at 7”. So an 8” rim really isn’t going to be an advantage here.

I know everybody’s goal is bigger and bigger wheels, but for a daily driver that will see mud and rocks only every second weekend or so and which only needs to keep up with mildly modded Patrols, Landies and the like, it should be great with the specs I’ve decided on.

Ordered 235/75R15 Goodyear Wrangler MTRs ($209 ea) today ... getting them on Friday Will do 2” shackle extension, fit some extractors, and reckon I’ll be pretty happy

Thanks all for your advice!

Cheers,
Tim

[Bad JuJu]

Hey Morph,

FYI there is no such thing as a little bit illegal. It is or it is not.
But good luck and have fun.

[Moph]

Cheers JuJu, I know ... pretty much any useful mod is illegal. It's just a game of what you can get away with before the cops start taking notice Even just the 235/75R15 are illegal in SA (greater than 15mm greater rolling diameter; wheelbase on 7" rims is wider than standard). And shackle lift ??? Instant defect...

[CHOPS1]

Hi moph or is that moose? How many km's has the car done? You'll find it to be so gutless with bigger tyres, an old tired engine will hate the extra weight and diameter!
Glad i got my mtr's a while back when they were only $185.

Chop

[Turbo Tonka]

my mates zook has 2" springs,2" shacles and flipped 15x8s with 30x9.5 MTR's.allthough the rims stopped the tyres hitting the springs at lock, it has made it rub on flex, so we have tidied up the seems a bit for now.My opinion would be do a virtual lift,cos afterall you dont want a high zook.

[Moph]

Heya CHOPS1,

'tis Moph ... nickname from when I was a kid (said more like Mofe i ges). Car has done 285,000ks but is going strong. More torque than I was expecting and runs smooth as. Coming off a slight downhill the other day on my *ahem* private bitumen road I got her up to 136km/h and she was happy to hold that in fifth when I got back onto the flat ... sat on 136 for a minute or two before easing off.

Have a mate who sold his Zook not long ago ... pretty much identical specs to mine (hardtop) with 235/75R15s on there when he bought it ... had no probs offroad, but generally sat on 90km/h onroad as a max as fifth wouldn't take him any further and he didn't like revving and burning thru fuel in fourth. I'm okay with that.

Got the price down to $199 + tyre disposal Still not $185 but closer. Can't believe one place quoted me $270 ea + disposal!!! Pays to ring around...

[TheOtherLeft]

Sorry to partially hijack the thread, but what is a "virtual lift"?

[mysterioussasvit]

i just bought 4 31.10.5 retread muddies same pattern as bfg kos for 100 dollars a tyre cheap enough will see how they go