4x4 truck wheel & tyre options - 19.5 vs 17, 35 vs 37, Fuso, Canter, Hino and more

#supersingles #aav4x4 #atw #hino #canter4x4 #isuzu
So you've got a Fuso Canter, Isuzu NPS or Hino 4x4 truck and want to convert it for serious offroad use. The first change is going to be to swap the dually wheels for Super Singles tyres and rims, but which new wheels should you choose? 35s, 37s, and on 17 or 19.5 rims? In this video I explain the key modifications to turn these trucks into offroaders, and explain the pros and cons of different tyre and rim choices.
Post questions as comments!
Follow me on Facebook:
/ robertpepperjourno
Support me on Patreon:
/ l2sfbc
Buy my books:
l2sfbc.com/whe...

[@patroln48]

Great episode! Really liked the example you used with the door. 👍👍

[@L2SFBC]

Glad you liked it!

[@contributor7219]

Great video. I think it sums things up simply and very well, and as you know accords with my own experience on our truck and similar vehicles owned by friends.

[@allanhugh2044]

Excellent video, really explains the Japanese light truck rear duals to single wheels modification to those who are wondering whether or not to change to super singles, if/when they purchase a Japanese light truck. I noted your quick on screen suggestion to use both axles for drive whenever on loose surfaces, perhaps you can modify it to stay on a fraction longer so that it really stands out. Apart from the less stress on the vehicle factor, the stability of a vehicle with a high centre of gravity is noticeably improved when the steer axle is also driving. Love the door!

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks Allan, I can't change it now, one of the problems with video :-( Agreed re stability etc. I thought hard about how to explain the concept, and had the suggestion of making a lever model which would have been more accurate but I went with the door instead as everyone has a door and can relate to it. My kids think this is normal - why is dad labelling parts of a door and pushing it on camera? Because he just does :-)

[@robbyg3989]

Excellent detailed video.I thought I knew everything about this subject after reading the title and wasn't going to watch, but I learned quite a bit. Thank you!

[@L2SFBC]

Glad it was helpful! What was new to you?

[@robbyg3989]

@@L2SFBC the importance of keeping rear wheels in line with the front to reduce rolling resistance. I always thought 6 wheel off road trucks used this configuration to reduce break over angles. It makes sense that the introduction of a new wheel track at the drive axle in some off-road conditions would cause difficulties. Also the example with the door put a new perspective on driveline stress. Thanks!

[@L2SFBC]

You're not wrong re rampover angles, that's a factor too, but usually secondary. Basically the back of the truck needs 4 wheels and they aren't going to be put on the same axle!

[@lornawebster3444]

Great video, relevant information of in-depth detail for people to take on board especially if they weren’t informed in depth from the start

[@L2SFBC]

Thank you, so pleased you found it useful. More light truck content on the way, please share :-)

[@MntlMajorkozmo]

I loved the method of showing lever type forces using the door. Smart. Simple. Everyone knows how a door with the handle in the middle is a bad time. I saw that little red note that was up for a few seconds. My Patrol has the factory auto hubs so as soon as im on the firetrail to the tracks, i go into 4high. Almost all of my driving experience is awd vehicles and doing this brings the patrol inline with my experience. I knew it was a driveability increase, but i didnt really understand why. This video explained that. For other auto hub patrol drivers, i dont rely on them when i get onto stuff more difficult than a firetrail. I get out and manually lock the hubs. Factory auto hubs have a tendency to not work as intended, especially when a wheel is lifted, and thats when they break.

[@L2SFBC]

yes, 4WD soon as you can. So many reasons; reduces tyre wear, track/road damage, improves traction, can even decrease stopping distances! thanks for the post.

[@contributor7219]

Don't quote me on this, but I seem to remember seeing in the specs of auto-lock systems on both Landcruisers and Patrols that they only auto-engage the hub lock across half its locking spline width. I suspect it's a factor of the solenoids used. Manual engagement uses the full locking depth, so is much stronger in the 'tough stuff'. I'm pretty sure Toyota recommend fully manually locking them off road but I can't speak to Nissan's advice.

[@L2SFBC]

Interesting, both manufactures recommend locking them as did others, but I thought that was more for the auto-unlock problem when changing direction.

[@robkeith1776]

Robert, another brilliantly explained piece of important information. I've just ordered my new 4x4 truck and after much research I settled on 35 x 17 Super Singles as they offer a suitable compromise for general use and I shall not be towing.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks Rob. Which truck? And, please share :-)

[@robkeith1776]

@@L2SFBC Hi Robert. After 50 years of LandCruisers, I sold my trusty Troopy because I was always nudging the weight limit. After much deliberation, and even more research, it was between the Izusu and the Hino. Everything I read indicated the Hino has a better fit and finish, more refined, so that was the basis for my decision. I have ordered the 300 model 4x4 dual cab - model 817. Now I'm busy having a canopy built. Regards Rob

[@carlossotobarrera3392]

Con la explicación que ví en este vídeo sobre como escoger un tipo de neumáticos en función del uso que se le va a darle, me ha quedado muy claro. Excelente relato sobre el tema, felicitaciones al experto

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks!

[@chandrachurniyogi8394]

the 37/19.5 with the 222 profile seems best upsize for 4X4 all terrain light trucks . . .

[@brianb-p6586]

"222 profile" makes no sense. Perhaps you are talking about a section width of 222 mm; width is completely ignored in this video.

[@Pharesm]

Great video, relevant info of great detail and breadth. Much thanks for this!

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks Builder please share!

[@MarcusTuck]

Nice to see Cuthbert making an appearance 😊 Another great video.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks, I found the research interesting and also that I did not find purpose-designed 4x4 trucks which were not AWD as is the Daily.

[@MarcusTuck]

@@L2SFBC a torque splitting centre diff is the way ahead. The Daily splits 32/68% and that is also about the load distribution. Gives great handling on tight steep switch backs without having to put in the centre lock and getting a larger turning circle.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes, I'm a huge fan of AWD provided the centre diff/clutch can be locked. Wish all offroad vehicles had it. I think a centre clutch is the best rather than a purely open diff which can lead to excess wheelspin on dirt roads - I used to lock my Defender's centre diff on dirt, but wouldn't lock that of a LC200/300 or Prado which use a Torsen centre. Was an interesting research project and I hope it has helped some people avoid tyre problems in the future.

[@geoffreyfox7618]

There are dedicated dual rear wheel off road trucks, try looking at trail mater, on you tube plus others, done for load, floating with very low psi, plus other points

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Another excellent and clear presentation Robert. Thanks. My camper and my 4x4 both run 16" rims and the same bolt pattern - which I was happy about because I thought I can share spares - at least that is what I thought until watching this. The ATM of the trailer (single axle) is 1.9T and the 4x4 rear axle (greater of the two) is rated for 1450kg which means the trailer tyres must support around 950kg each, while the 4x4 needs to carry 750kg per tyre. I'd presume the 4x4 manufacturer will specify the minimum safe load capacity for the tyres to ensure a smooth ride, so really, I don't think the 4x4 spare can be used on the camper as It is unlikely to have the load rating. Perhaps you can do some more disambiguation of tyre markings - the camper tyres are marked "LT265/17R16" then "Load Range E". I presume LT refers to Light Truck but what is the relevance of marking it as LT? Load Range E means absolutely nothing to me either. The 4x4 tyres have a load rating of 111. There are more numbers and letters following that - none of which makes sense to me. Perhaps this is worth a video?

[@L2SFBC]

Tyre markings explainer here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWe0opene8-WY6c well, some of them anyway. They wouldn't be 265/17/16 - maybe 265/75/16? LT = yes Light Truck, stronger load-carrying construction as opposed to P for Passenger. Yes I should do more on this subject, and will do. One of my Paterons had a Jimny's tyres set to 38psi by the tyre shop!!!!!!!!! The placard is 26-28, and their reason was "because mud tyre". Well, NO. So I'm going to cover that too. Really I need a small army of people to do this!

[@MiniLuv-1984]

@@L2SFBC I'll go back to the tyres on the camper and check - what I quoted does look very wrong. I'll re-watch that video - thanks for the link.

[@Lucky13Twice]

Yes, the single tire on the rear is heavier but since you are deleting a tire on each side, it should be okay.

[@jonathanwhalen1041]

Well done. Thank you.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks for watching!

[@ozyrob1]

Outstanding explanation.

[@L2SFBC]

Thank you please share :-)

[@BobbyFincher-us3dr]

Absolutely great presentation robert! I am currently interested in a canter but unsure what model to buy, im on a budget and looking at older models (90's and early 2000) but unsure who is supplying these wheels on those old models and what off road wheels are available for certain models. If you could send through some resources that would be great. Thanks

[@L2SFBC]

Suggest you contact AAV4x4 or ATW to discuss.

[@einfelder8262]

Something not mentioned is the rated max inflation pressure of a tyre. On my GU Patrol I run 33" on 16" rims and my choice of mud tyre has a max inflation pressure of 80psi. I have seen cheap tyres with max inflation pressure of only 44psi. My first muddies were MTRs on Aussie steel rims which spun on the bead going down high country hills at 22psi - a real pain, so I moved them onto GU alloys which stopped the problem (the MTRs had fantastic grip too). Clearly the bead location diameter on the rims was marginally different or maybe the powder coating was just too slippery?

[@L2SFBC]

Max inflate pressure is what manufacturers recommend for the maximum load, and I don't think any tyre should be run to its maximum load, and therefore not the maximum inflate pressure. No tyre should spin on a bead downhill at 22psi in 4WD - how did you notice?

[@einfelder8262]

@@L2SFBC Tyres with low max inflation pressure are weak (cheap and nasty) tyres, I'm not saying to run at max pressure. It's a clue as to how they're built. I noticed the spin because of imbalance on the trip home - had to have them balanced. Last time I marked them and one front one spun 3 inches!!!! So I swapped them over to the mags which solved the problem. They were the best Aussie made steel wheels too, supplied with the tyres at Beaurepaire.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes - the higher the load rating the higher the pressure (not a linear equation though)..

[@robertlewis7237]

THANK YOU DETAILED VIDEO

[@L2SFBC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@calebbearup4282]

I've always decreased my wheels to run on 15 inch rims. If it's a vehicle that I keep for very long I convert the bolt pattern to match my other vehicles so I can interchange between vehicles easily But then I live in Michigan and 15 inch rims are still fairly easy to find here. I'm not sure how common they are over there

[@calebbearup4282]

At one point I had 13 vehicles with all but one (and my motorcycle) were on 15 inch rims with sizes ranging between about 27.5 inches in the small side to 35 inches on the tallest. Made it fairly easy to get the perfect tire and vehicle combination for each task

[@supersportimpalass]

There aren’t many vehicles where 15’s will even clear the brakes unless you are looking at only 80’s and older.

[@L2SFBC]

Agreed, 17s are the new normal for modern vehicles. I hope we don't make 18s the new normal as then sidewalls are getting really squeezed.

[@calebbearup4282]

@@supersportimpalass I have had to change out the brakes a couple times in order to make 15's work. But for the most part my vehicles rarely see speeds over 50mph so extending the brake time by a few feet isn't the end of the world. It's a trade-off sure but I would rather have the increased sidewall.

[@supersportimpalass]

You should check out all the dually recovery wreckers on you tube. Trail Mater is one of the best and that thing will go anywhere and tow a dead vehicle over the gnarliest of trails so don’t discount dual rears as not offroad capable.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes, duallys can go offroad, I didn't say it was impossible because it's not. So can 2WDs, so can vehicles without low range and so on. But there's good reasons that single conversions are done, and the makers of such trucks choose singles not duals, then move to three axles when more capacity is required - I'm yet to see a truck manufacturer design an offroad truck with duals for offroad use as opposed to extra-traction use. In Australia the crews running dually 4x4 trucks have trouble with debris between the tyres to the point where they need to remove a wheel to get it out. Someone posted Trail Mater already and that's super cool, but I did note here you can see the entire load on that side is taken by just one tyre, Can't see the other side, but guess it'd be similar except the outside wheel would be taking the load. kzbin.info/www/bejne/laPReYaDhLmag68 but you can't argue with what works in that terrain and for that purpose.

[@HeyPedroBro]

awesome video. where have you been? very informative. we drive mitsubishi fuso (2wd) in Timor-Leste around slippery and steep off roads with 3.5 tonnes of coffee in the back. Trying to get my hands on a few Canter 4WD then add a good tyre set up.

[@L2SFBC]

Been here the whole time! Sounds like the Super Singles are what you need.

[@HeyPedroBro]

​@@L2SFBC how much is the conversion would you think?

[@L2SFBC]

Ask AAV depends on what you need doing to what.

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

Nice video!

[@L2SFBC]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@frankluo230]

If we get more ground clearance by lift spring and install super singles, can 2wd Hino300 trucks go almost anywhere like township and villages beaches, and fire trails? Obviously not technical 4x4 trails

[@L2SFBC]

No. 4x4 is a huge, huge advantage especially jn soft terrain, both uphill and downhill. Get a 4x4.

[@CampTlangram]

Great and informative video. Is Tata 407 4x4 a good offroader.

[@brianb-p6586]

It's bizarre to go through an entire tire sizing discussion completely ignoring tire width.

[@L2SFBC]

See my Narrow/Wide tyre video for that. This is about diameter, width is about the same for all the options.

[@brianb-p6586]

@@L2SFBC While all reasonable off-road capable tires are relatively tall in aspect ratio, they certainly do vary in width. For instance, the examples include overall heights of 35 and 37 inches, both with a rim nominal diameter of 17 inches... but there are 35x11.5R17 and 35x12.5R17 tires available, which are 11.5 and 12.5 inches (292 and 318 mm) wide, respectively. That's not much difference, but there are metric-sized tires on 17 inch rims with a wider variation, and other rim diameters have more variation. Specifically for 19.5 inch rims almost all available tires (the exception being some wide-base singles not available in North America) have the same 70% aspect ratio, so width is proportional to sidewall height... which means that a 37" tire (8.75" sidewall, so presumably 315/70R19.5, but perhaps 305/70R19.5) tire is 13% wider than a 35" tire (7.75" sidewall, so presumably 285/70R19.5) tire. Again, available tires cover a much greater width range than that. Amusingly, the odd wide-base single sizes that I found on an Australian website - all of which are not available - are 35" and 37" tall, while being roughly 50% wider than the 70-series tires that are likely being used as examples here. I understand that for some reason you only considered some tire sizing factors in this video, but it would have made sense to at least explicitly mention that width is also a factor and is not being discussed here.

[@ldmtag]

Btw, are you sure about the contact patch being bigger for larger diameter tires? Force = pressure × area. Larger tires having a bigger contact patch kind of make no sense. Could it be the imperfection of your method? You measured the length of a contact patch by sticking two rullers to the front and the rear, and with larger tires those rullers form a more narrow-angled triangles, which means they're naturally farther from the edges of an actual patch with larger diameter tires. Cos, you know, the area should be about the same...

[@L2SFBC]

Yes, I'm sure. See my Narrow/Wide video, I've measured it. Force = pressure x area doesn't apply exactly for tyres. If it did, then I wouldn't find a small contact patch advantage for wide either. Those equations apply for pressure vessels with walls that do not constrict the gas at all, unlike a tyre.

[@brianb-p6586]

The area = force/pressure relationship is still approximately valid,@@L2SFBC, because sidewall stiffness should not be supporting a significant part of the load. For the same inflation pressure and load, a larger-diameter tire will have a similar contact area, but a longer and narrow contact patch. This is basic tire knowledge, not specific to off-road vehicles, and confirmed by every tire manufacturer and tire engineer. More relevant to off-road vehicles is that the taller sidewall (or even the same sidewall with a larger overall diameter) allows a longer contact patch without unacceptable sidewall distortion, so the larger tire of the same width allows lower pressure and thus larger contact patch.

[@williamriding5749]

Cameras cool but privacy law are existent all over

[@AbuTariku-j1i]

Am Ethiopia like this car how to get

[@ldmtag]

Gaz WHAT? TRACKMASTER?!?!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Silly export name. Ok, ok, it's russian name isn't any better: Sadko. It's, I believe, a fary tale character.

[@brianb-p6586]

The Trackmaster appears to be an export name (possibly only in Australia) specifically for the Sadko Next, rather than the original design which is now called the Sadko Classic.

[@Monagencedecom]

Hi! Great video! Thanks for the info. What do you think about putting 40 13.5 20 on a fuso 4x4 6C18? I'm looking to make a camper but I'm looking for ground clearance. Merci pour votre réponse ! See U

[@L2SFBC]

Never tried - would ask on forums for experiences. Beware greater mass, gearing etc.

[@GROP300]

wrong, the lever must be away from the axle. This means that the smaller the diameter of the wheel, the greater the torque. the larger the diameter of the wheel, the axle shaft will break faster.

[@L2SFBC]

That's what I'm saying. The 19.5 rim is in effect a longer lever, like I showed with the door. And yes the bigger the tyre, the more stress on the drivetrain.

[@MarcusTuck]

The larger the diameter of the tyre the less effective the brakes become too. This is often missed by people with very heavy Overland vehicles adding larger tyres. It also reduces the effective torque which can be an issue if you don’t have a deep low range.