Max IV aftermarket wheels and tires... some help needed

[Toynut]

It looks like I will upgrade my Max IV to 26 X 12 inch tires (or 25X 9 if that is the popular consensus). I figured as long as I have to buy some rims for the tire upgrade anyway, I might as well get some fresh aftermarket wheels at the same time (possibly alloy rims for the weight savings) from the same vendor.
Can someone give me the backspacing requirements and rim width that I will need to buy. I take it that I will be looking for bead lock or K-lock rims and hope to find a vendor with a combo package so that I won't have to deal with a local tire shop separately. Any suggestions on what works well and vendors that understand 6X6 requirements. I will look for a good swimming tire with an aggressive chevron pattern. I hope to find some of the TSL Vampire ASX out there somewhere but will settle for second best choice if they are unavailable (recommendations happily accepted). I suppose the Goodyears will also work if they are still available. I have radials on my ATVs and like the stiffer sidewall and their reduced tendency to plow in the corners.

[jpswift1]

First off, you'll love the Vampire ASX tires! In my opinion, the absolute best all around AATV tire. The bolt pattern for just about every AATV with 5 lugs is 5 on 4.5" with 4/4 (8x8" and 9x8" inch rims) or 5/5 backspacing (12x10" rims).

[Mike]

The problem is that the "beadlock" wheels that you will want to buy can only be sourced from a couple of places. The 8" and 12" k-locks can be purchased from Recreatives Industries or your local Max Dealer. The 9" "beadlocks" will have to come from Mudd Ox. Most of the wheels that size that you find locally will not have a bead rolled into the wheel to keep your tire bead "locked" in place. So you are pretty limited on where you can purchase new wheels and will likely have to purchase the tires at a different place. You can buy tires from Recreatives Industries as well or from a Max dealer but I am not sure about the pricing.

For your Max IV, I would utilize all of the room you have available. The vampire ASX's do great in the mud if you have the HP to turn them. They are heavy and wide so you will probably see some extra wear over a smaller tire. I have seen different Max IV's with those tires on them swim differently. Same thing for those tires on Hustler Bigfoots. Some swim faster than others. Possibly because of differences in the depth of tubs. Older Max IV's had shallower tubs. The newer style bodies were raised a little. So be prepared to possibly modify your lower tub and run wheel spacers (more $$$$) depending on how they fit.

The factory Goodyear 26" tires that Max uses are great if you are mainly going to be in the water but they are very rough riding if you are going to be on land much. Since you have to purchase wheels as well, I think if I were you, I would order some 9" wheels from Mudd Ox and then get some of the 25" Argo Avenger tires. Those tires are super fast in the water and seem to be the best choice for doing everything well. The only downside to them is the price. You are probably looking at over $1000 for all six.

[Toynut]

Thanks, I will look for them if they are still available. Any recommendations on dealers who can ship the whole package?

[thebuggyman1]

MattO (Muddox) is not that far away from you. You could drive over, pick them up, throw them on and go for a ride with us. He puts the 25" rawhide III's on his machines.

[Toynut]

OOPS,
I missed your post, Mike.
I will see what the local Michigan Max dealers have available, or can get for me, as well.
I think I will add a roll cage and seat belt kit while I'm at it. As for my factory 16 horse Vanguard, I will consider an upgrade to a more powerful engine too (it never ends, as I never leave anything stock, anyway ).

[Toynut]

Thanks for the kind offer, buggyman. I might take you up on that when it warms up a bit. Your not too far from Joe's Gizzard City (been there, still tasting it). Truly an epicurean delight:
joe?s potterville inn
I do need a little time to get used to this machine as I picked it up last summer, parked it in one of my warehouses, and I have just started to "get acquainted" with it ($$$$) this last couple of weeks!

[Mike]

Yeah, I would be hesitant to put large tires (like the Vampire ASX's) on your Max with the 16HP motor. You probably would lack the power to turn them in nasty mud or steep conditions.