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trying to find a DOT 14" a/t-mud type tire

Discussion in 'Suzuki Carry' started by mcbride68camaro, Jun 26, 2009.

  1. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member

    I was wondering if anyone knows of any 14" all-terrain or mud type tire (anything more aggressive than a highway tire) that is DOT approved, and will also work on an 04' Suzuki Carry with a 4" lift.

    My Dad and I already lifted the truck. He drives the truck on the highways and also around the farm, hunting ect. So, we are trying to find a more versatile tire but also keeping weight in mind and a size that will actually fit.

    He wants a 14" tire to gain more clearance. I wish 15" would work, but I am not sure if they will and also the added weight.

    Anyone have any suggestions? I found a set of DOT Toyo A/T open country tires and they look perfect, but they are 205/70/14 and I really don't think those would work. A lot of the yamaha rhino guys are running the Toyo tires.

    Any help or direction would be great.

    Thanks, Andrew

    I will post some pictures soon. We are planning on rhino lining the bed, camo-ing the body, and adding a front and rear bumper with a reciever hitch.
     
  2. starpuss

    starpuss Member

    the 205/70/14 would be a little over 25" witch if you want to cut your fenders a bit they should work seeing you have a 4" lift. but with the 25" tires you will have no power at all. unless you put it into 4low
     
  3. starpuss

    starpuss Member

    have you looked at the 195/55R15 GaritKX toyo winter tire that would give you a 23.4" tire 12 (in/32nds) tred also
    The TOYO Garit KX is a performance winter tire taking advantage of TOYO’s superior winter tire technology. Microbitcompound for added grip onslippery surfaces, newly designed tread pattern for great winter weather traction. And the TOYO Garit KX is designed to help maintain the handling characteristics of today’s performance tuned vehicles.

    Microbit Compound
    • elements that improve braking and handling on ice and compacted snow
    High Density wave sipes in centre line
    • provide excellent braking and acceleration grip on ice
    Angled wave sipe in mid pattern blocks
    • Improved cornering response
    • Sipe distribution provides excellent braking and acceleration on ice
    Wedge effect shoulder Wave Sipe
    • Improved lateral traction
    • Improved block stability under braking and cornering
    First Edge Technology
    • Micro ridges on tread surface provide “instant” ice grip
    Wide Tread footprint
    • Improved rubber to road contact
    Sawtooth block edges
    • Provides improved “biting” ability in snow
    5 Circumferential Grooves
    • Prevents side slip and greatly enhances slush and water evacuation
    Unidirectional Tread Pattern
    • Optimum traction for both braking and acceleration
    “H” Speed Rated
    • To ensure endurance at prolonged highway speeds “Cooler” running construction provides good service life
    Modern Sidewall styling
    • Enhances the appearance of tire and wheel package

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2009
  4. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member

    thanks for the reply. you wouldn't happen to know what they weigh do you? I was told the toyo I found was 26 lbs.

    we are planning on trimming the fenders to make a little room.
     
  5. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    the weight of the tire and wheel (rotating mass) would be better measured as a comparison the same way you make a comparison of tire size. 26lbs of tire/wheel does sound like a lot of weight, but how does that compare to a stock tire/wheel combo? once you break it down to a comparison (ratio of weight of stock tire/wheel to aftermarket measured in a percentage) you will be better informed as to whether you feel the added rotating mass will be manageable for getting the truck rolling and if you feel you will have adequate stopping power to handle it. another thing to keep in mind besides rotating mass is the "unsprung weight" of the new tire/wheel. now you will have to deal with the added weight against your (probably old and worn) springs and strut cartridges. a small bump will have a tendency to cause the wheels to dribble (like a basket ball) because of the added mass having a mechanical advantage to what the strut can succesfully dampen.

    the 205/70/14 is a 19.7% overdrive. entirely too much in my opinion the engine has lost the mechanical advantage over the tire and regearing is in order... except that after market gears for these are not available. the 195/55/15 is only a 10.9% overdrive which is a bit more manageable. that's about what the difference was when i changed tire size and it was manageable.

    something you should consider is that with a wider tire you will also need aftermarket rims with less back spacing to get the wheel away from your strut up front and frame rails/leaf springs in the rear. as you take away back spacing you start to side load the unit bearings more causing premature wear. the ideal rim offset would be as follows: if you could draw an imaginary line from upper steering pivot (ball joint?) to lower steering pivot the center of the tire should fall in line with the pivot points.

    another thing to keep in mind with adding rims with less back spacing is the fact that the wheel will "oscilate" (move in an arch patern) more than pivot (with the center of the tire directly below the upper and lower pivot points of steering). which means you will need to cut more sheet metal for clearance.

    also the wheel with less backspacing and more of a "foot print" on the ground oft times will create a shimmy in the steering wheel.

    i'm not trying to shoot down your idea, more trying to give good warning of what will come with the tire mods.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2009
  6. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member

    great information, thanks! We defintely do not want to do too much to effect the performance of the truck.


    Are there many guys running a 15" tire?
     
  7. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    And is your truck an 04 or a 94?

    04's arent legal in Canada.
     
  8. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member

    04'. Yes, I have heard people say that they are not allowed. We bought ours straight from a dealer who gets them from Japan.
     
  9. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    You are in Oklahama? I just took the McBride part of your name to be McBride, BC, Canada.

    so, if you are in the US, 04's are A-OK!

    but if you ARE in McBride Canada, you have troubles ahead.
     
  10. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member

    Well apparently there was some parts dealer that was kinda a jerk to my dad about having a 04' truck in the U.S. We are tagged and insured and cruising daily with it. What is the reason that Canada is not allowing the newer trucks. Since they don't come with a titles, I don't see a problem with just saying they are a few years older?? I don't know what kind of inspection you guys have either. We don't have inspections anymore.
     
  11. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    Well, AFAIK, 04's are fine n' dandy in the US. I just thought you were Canadian. Our law is NO imports unless they are 15yrs old or older. (1994 and down)
     
  12. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    Yeah, What dumpling says. Move on!

    Our Canadian Government knows how to run the VINS and check the year, so no tricking them!
     
  13. Stuff99

    Stuff99 Moderator Staff Member

    hey, anyone have any luck with a 175R14 replacement yet? works out to 175/80R14 here.
     
  14. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member

    update:

    We ordered some wheels from pepboys. They are proline 14x6 with the same offset as the 93 miata's. $49/wheel. We mounted them on the front of our 04' Carry with 4" lift and no rubbing issues on the tie rod or arms and room to spare. Some trimming on the front plastic will have to be done to fit the tire.

    Still undecided on the tires. I am looking at 185/60-65/14's. I think a studless type tire is what I am going to go with.

    here's the wheels: http://www.pepboys.com/images/uploads/proline_950_lg.jpg

    just thought I would share.
     
  15. PigKilla

    PigKilla New Member

    why not use an atv tire? i am running a 25" atv tire on mine. it works pretty well. it is a 6 ply so it handles a load well. the only downside is it is just as loud as runing a bogger.
     
  16. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member


    Most of the ATV tires I have found are not DOT rated. We are afraid of a blow out on the highway. The truck won't be hauling must.

    Are people running the carlisle type tires on the highway and not having any problems?
     
  17. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member

    Alright, we found a tire that should work great. I thought I would share. It is a Hankook (winter pike) 185/60/14[​IMG]

    Once we get the tires and wheels on, I will post some pictures.
     
  18. Wyothing

    Wyothing New Member

    I will have to look tonight but I am running 185/70 or 185/75 r 14's with winterforce tires. I bought some wheels made by MB. THere are only a few wheels they offer that are 4x100. I have a 2000 Suzuki. The package is great. Runs 65 mph measured by gps. Usually run around 60 so I don't push too hard. Definately slows on hills.

    My only complaint is that the tires are not aggressive enough off road. I fit some chains for the back but will need wheel spacers for the front to put chains on it. I am thinking about a second set of wheels and the newer traxis ceros tires for offroad. That would just be a huge pain in the ***.

    Chains are a pain too. If those ceros tires held up on the highway, I would just stay with them alltogether.
     
  19. Wyothing

    Wyothing New Member

    I live and hunt in Wyoming. THe only time I use chains on my full size truck is hunting season. Usually if it is that bad I don't go. But sometimes you get into the back country and the storms roll in and there you are. I run aggresssive tires on my pickup and don't need chains very often.

    But, the M&S tires on the Carry don't get much traction and any snow or mud and they are useless offroad.

    I agree, chains are a pain in the rear and it is easy to loose one. And when you have to chain up it usually means you have to give it hell to get out. An aggressive mud tire would be the best but options are limited.
     
  20. PigKilla

    PigKilla New Member

  21. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member

    It has been awhile since I gave an update. The winterpikes and proline wheels are on and the tires go great in the mud. We ended up having to go with a 1" spacer on the front to miss the shock strut. A little trimming on the front end and here it is.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG][/IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  22. trausy

    trausy New Member

    Anyone found a 14" DOT rim in a 4-115 bolt pattern? what are all the Suzuki guys running on thier trucks? Ive found lots of nice winter tires with overall height at 23.3" and 24" that have aggressive enough tread to rip through mud and old logging roads no problem but I am having trouble finding a set of street rims. the atv rims have lots of options but i need my truck street legal.
     
  23. Stuff99

    Stuff99 Moderator Staff Member

    I like that 04! too bad we cant get newer then the 15 yr olds.

    i ended up getting "artic claw" tires from kal tire. used a wheel guide to figure out what size is what height and width and went with it.
     
  24. mcbride68camaro

    mcbride68camaro New Member


    There are tons of rims out there. I know the wheels we have are universal but I am not sure if they are 115. Check with discount tire or pepboys. We got our wheels from pep boys. $49 each
     

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