New registrant

maxm37 · Post by **maxm37** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:37 pm

Hello, I finally bought my first Antique Vehicle, and after 13 years selling tires for them, I finally settled on an M-37 '54. I'm sure I'll have many questions for you guys once I get into things with it. I am curious as to your opinions of original NDT compared to the Super Lug STA brand??

I am going to keep the NDT, but am having second thoughts on the Super Lugs..
Thanks,
Eric

obxron · Post by **obxron** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:51 pm

Welcome to the group, I own a '54 as well. I like the NDT for the look and I don't drive my truck much. There has been discussions about tires recently amongst the group. If you are driving alot you may want to consider a "street" tire for handling and gas consumption(not that a M37 gets good gas mileage to begin with) any questions you have and the guys around here are quick to answer.

Ron
1954 M37
1968 M101A1 trailer

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:03 pm

Tires are a topic of much discussion and/or debate on this forum. Being "in the trade," I'm sure you're well aware that there are different tires which are better suited for a given application than any other tire, so I won't bore you with an "explanation." Besides, different people like certain brands/models whether or not they can explain their preferences. In other words, it's pretty much up to the user to decide what he wants. Me, I'm a big believer in NDTs purely because they're the original equipment tire and (to my mind) are the only tires that "look right" on an M37. They're perfectly adequate in dirt and on dry pavement, and they last "forever."

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:05 pm

"They're perfectly adequate in dirt and on dry pavement,"

And that's the problem with them...if you get caught in the rain it makes driving well interesting and if there is snow and slush on pavement then your driving skills really come into play.

I love the look of the NDCC tire on the M37 also, but the practical side of me says since I plan on driving my M37 sometime in the future (way way in the future) I will get a good All Terrain Tire so that I can drive on dry and wet pavement as well as dirt and mud.

uglyranger · Post by **uglyranger** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:44 pm

Malfunction 3/4 gun truck 523rd Transportation Company, Vietnam 1970

Nickathome · Post by **Nickathome** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:54 am

I went with NDT tires (Denman to be exact). I've read the stories about how they suck in snow, and mud, etc. Well, that may be a fact, and it just may be someone's opinion, I don't know, and I don't really care. My attitude is "if they were good enough for the military, they are good enough for me". I don't drive my truck all that much and I never take it out in the rain so I won't ever have to test the theories about NDT's on wet pavement. I also am not into mud bogging and all that nonsense, so any negatives about NDT's in mud hold no merit with me. I may try them in the snow this year (if we get any). I've driven in snow my whole adult life and I can tell you there are some modern tire designs that blow in the white stuff as well.

Of course there will be dissenters and thats fine. Besides, as Lifer put it, they are "the only tire" that looks right on an M37, and I wholeheartedly agree with that......

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:00 am

k8icu: I purposefully left out the part about NDTs being "less than perfect" in wet or icy conditions. It's true that other tires are much better suited to them, but I've put many miles on military-owned M35s, M37s, and M151s (all equipped with NDTs) in all kinds of weather conditions. Blizzards at Fort Drum in upstate New York and hurricanes at Shaw AFB in South Carolina presented no handling problems for me and I was out in the weather all the time. Admittedly, you have to pay attention to what you're doing behind the wheel, but that holds true under ideal conditions, too.

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:52 am

Welcome MAXM! I too own a '54 and run the NDTs. It's the "look" that says it all, but as other members will attest, it depends on your needs for the vehicle. Anyway, again, welcome, and feel free to post anything M37-plenty of subject matter experts here!
Gary

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:02 am

Maxim
Welcome to the forum. Lots of great people hang out here. I have a 52. These trucks are great fun.

Hey that pic of the gun truck is great. Is there any more?

maxm37 · Post by **maxm37** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:49 am

Thanks for your offers, I'll have a few pictures up next week if I can figure out how to load them...
Max

peter e mark · Post by **peter e mark** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:24 am

My 1952 has NDT's, that;s the original military tire, right? And as many of the posts have said, as they are the original issue stuff, that's what belongs there! As for those "complainers" , Sunday drivers and trailer queens, who comment on the driving in snow, rain, or otherwise disagreable weather conditions, may I bring to your attention the availability of a most usefull addition to your accessory tool box: it's called TIRE CHAINS ! That's right gilrs, you simply put these chains over each tire ( don't forget to wear gloves) and wamo, much to your amazement, your vehicle's capacity to move forward is immensely enhanced!