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Siping mud retreads #494191 08/26/04 05:57 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 378
NYT100 Offline OP
Mudrunner
Winter is coming in a few months and my BFG's are worn out. I am thinking about a cheap way to get some tires with better traction than I have now. I am running two hi-tec mud terrain retreads (my spares) and my two best BFG's so I don't have to buy 4 new tires. Has anyone siped mud terrains for better grip in the wet and snow? Can you do this with a utility knife or do you need one of the electric siping knives? I am thinking of buying two more retreads, siping them, and running them through the winter. Would it be a good idea to sipe retreads? I know the mud terrains are a lot louder than most all terrains and I wonder if siping them cuts down on the noise at all.


97 T100, 32" BFG/AT, Warn hubs, stock height with Bilstein shocks, Optima battery
Re: Siping mud retreads [Re: NYT100] #494192 08/28/04 06:24 AM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,921
4
4xGeek Offline
Body Damage is Cool
Sure. My SS were horrible in the wet before I had 'em siped; Great after...
I imagine you could do it with a utility knife, but be prepared to have sore arms after. I've always had mine done; Pretty cheap-something like $12 a tire at Les Schwab & they don't remove a bunch of material...
Shouldn't matter if it's a retread or not...
Won't have much, if any, affect on the noise; That's caused by the design of the tread & hardness of the rubber vs. the road material... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />


4xGeek (Chris)
'97 T-100 4wd sr5-suto, 3" BL, 1.5" BJ spacers, 35" ProComp AT's, 4.88's, Bilsteins x 6, etc...

No longer stuck in SoCal!! smile
Re: Siping mud retreads [Re: 4xGeek] #494193 08/28/04 04:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 378
NYT100 Offline OP
Mudrunner
Thanks for the help. I'll call around and see how much a shop would charge to sipe somre tires.
Sean


97 T100, 32" BFG/AT, Warn hubs, stock height with Bilstein shocks, Optima battery
Re: Siping mud retreads [Re: NYT100] #494194 08/28/04 07:54 PM
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,125
adam Offline
Body Damage is Cool
Skilsaw <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Quote
Let all the air out of your tires and find somebody who knows how to run a skilsaw, decide how wide you want the grooves and sandwich 1 to 3 blades(old carbide) 1/16kerf, more might be ok I don't know. Ideally they should be the same type and size. Set your guide to the desired depth. Again, if you aren't good with a skilsaw don't attempt this. I will accept no responsibilities for amputations and injuries that occur. BE SAFE! Wear full goggles and face shield and ear plugs. Small rocks imbedded in old sipes will fly with bullet like force. I hawged out an old set of M/S bias ply tires once that the iron wouldn't touch. It still takes a while to do all four but works good. You also can get carbide bits that go on grinders from the tire pro's for a little more control. Mark out what you want before hand too, it is easy to get carried away.


Heating the utility knife with a propane torch will get you through them quicker, but this grooving iron is the way to diy without killing yourself...just a little more than the cost of one siping. Depends how long or how often you want to sit cutting rubber.


~Adam


96 T100: D44, lockers and stuff
Re: Siping mud retreads [Re: adam] #494195 08/28/04 09:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,859
little_joe Offline
Former Admin
*****
The heated cutting knife is the way to go, plus it's pretty effortless. I also grooved mine with the same knife, which made an enormous difference.


4x4Wire's Toyota Section
1995 FZJ80 LandCruiser - 3 locking diffs, +200k mi, JD HIR's, 285/75R16 Nitto TG's
Olde North State Cruisers
Re: Siping mud retreads [Re: little_joe] #494196 08/29/04 06:21 AM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,921
4
4xGeek Offline
Body Damage is Cool
I thought of doing it myself next time, but in looking at what the machine did (the lugs are pretty long, so probably 25ish slices per lug) I suddenly felt awful lazy. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />


4xGeek (Chris)
'97 T-100 4wd sr5-suto, 3" BL, 1.5" BJ spacers, 35" ProComp AT's, 4.88's, Bilsteins x 6, etc...

No longer stuck in SoCal!! smile

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