Siping NDT tires to improve performance on wet pavement

[Doc Dave]

There is a very interesting article in the new edition of Military Vehicles magazine about this subject. The author wanted to make his vehicle more responsive and safe on wet pavement, yet maintain the original look of having NDT tires.
He bought a siping iron tool for about $60 plus shipping. It took him about 15 minutes per tire once he got the hang of it.
He said he noticed immediately better cornering and stopping on a wet pavement surface when he took it out after siping, vs. how it acted before when on wet pavement.
I don't currently have NDT's on my restoration but if I ever go that way it is something to think about.
He and several others have observed that the NDT's were designed for use off road, not for primarily on pavement use like many drive their PW's now.
He bought his siping iron from www.bryke.com. He got the #4 head and blades with it which will cut two sipes .215" apart.
If you are interested in this, you really need to get a copy of the magazine to see the pictures and more complete text.

[Charles Talbert]

I read that also. The fellow that did it seemed quite pleased. Certainly it's worth the effort at $60 and a little labor.

There are some military tires out there that are ribbed in various ways, around the circumference of the center and some all the way to the edges in the bars. The ones I've seen with the center rib are US made and used on 2 1/2 and 5-ton trucks. The others were made in Israel and are common on M37 trucks.