Truckster (Vic) replied:

Wheres Ray (maddog), he had a Diesel Rodeo before he downtraded to his Lux ;)~

Have you asked the tag-a-long place what they use? Gives you an idea of whats worth it..

Rims - wreckers, call around.

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

BFG AT are now made in asia and also only have 2 ply sidewalls...

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

The desert itself is easy on tyres.
The Birdsville and Oodnadatta tracks are stony and can be hard on tyres.

Don't overload, keep you speed below 80kph on the gravel, have plenty of tread on the tyres and run the pressures at no more than 20psi in the desert and 25psi on the gravel. These factors are more important than brand of tyres.

I believe the Rodeo and jackaroo are interchangable, so a used wheel should be easily found at the wreckers or tyre shops. The stud pattern and offset hasn't changed over the years. I'd guess yours are the 16x7, judging by your tyre size. If you do get new tyres, consider 245/75R16 which are a little taller, and have the stronger LT construction.

Cheers
Phil

Gossy replied:

I concur that the desert itself is fine on tyres but your sidewall strength is a concern with stakes etc. Pressure is the biggest issue. You have 16 inch which is fine. Don't want to be stuck in Birdsville for weeks waiting for a "city" size tyre to arrive. I personally would steer clear of the AT tyres. Having that extra tread depth on a tyre is important with sharp rocks etc but that's just my opinion!
Suspension is something I would look at though. Don't trust the suspension out of the production line. I would get that upgraded before going.
Have a good trip.

Exploder replied:

Mate 2 ply sidewalls are common only some sizes have 3 or more in the wall your tyres will be a 6 ply LT tyre (check it has the LT stamped on the tyre as wall.

If you r concerned about the tyres strength maybe this will help, I know some people who r doing the canning stock route in month and 2 out of the 4 car’s are running the 693’s.

Tyre pressure and the right speed is the key.

Steve replied:

WillV... you have great tyres which will be fine for the desert ...remember to DROP PRESSURES and you will have no troubles ...also bring a pump to get them up to normal when you have reached the end...suggest max 20 psi for the trip ...but this will depend on how much weight u are carrying..generally...the lower the pressure the more grip !! The tag a long operators usually have a compressor for trips like this ...check with them !!! Check your local tyre dealer or nearest Tyrepower store for a spare tyre and rim ...

Member - Duncs replied:

WillV

I did the Simpson on 693's a couple of years ago. The only problem I had was when a salt lake went soft on me I did not have enough tread to get a good bite. Had to back up a bit and run again. Should have got the new tyres before I went not when I got back. Oh well you live and learn. If the tyres are reasonably new you should be OK.

As for an extra rim,tyre dealers are the go. Particularly those who sell a lot of new wheels. Thy often have old standard rims lying around sometimes with half decent rubber on them. I got three for my trailer that way and at the right price.

Duncs

Gossy replied:

The heat build up in the shockers will be too much for standard shockers straight off the show room floor when going over the dredded corrugations. They will survive and do fine on smaller trips (flinders rangers etc) but anything big like Birsdsville where you are on the road for hours a day for days on end the standard suspension will be stuffed after 1 trip. Good after market will be fine (ARB, TJM). Some good advice I got from this forum was that the money spend on suspension will save you twice as much in repairs. After doing a big trip up North and carrying a lot of gear I can safely say that it was good words. The Landcruiser who I went away with did not upgrade their shockers and it was shaken to bits by the time we got back home. Mine was as good as home.